June 11, 2020
The 73rd Year
Day 84
Seniors must upgrade their technology and skills to successfully navigate the new world in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Failure to do so will leave them isolated, lonely and vulnerable.
The Covid-19 virus has made smart phone and tablet technology essential for seniors. For many, especially those who have been locked-down alone, it has been the only way to communicate with friends and family, follow the news, check on finances, visit with a doctor or watch a video or film. For these Covid-19 shut-ins, it makes the world a little less lonely.
My generation obviously did not grow up with laptops, iPhones, Netflix and Amazon Prime. As I stare across the room, I can see the shelf containing our somewhat dusty World Book encyclopedia, the Google search engine of my day. The books have not been opened for a decade or more.
There is some good news. A 2017 survey by Pew Research revealed that the digital divide between young and old is shrinking. It found that about 70 percent of seniors used technology and were comfortable going online. A study in 2000 reported that only 14 percent of seniors regularly went online.
Unfortunately many seniors view technology as static, like the books on the shelf. They purchase a device, learn a set of skills and figure: “I’ve done it. I am connected.” Until of course they are not which can be just a matter of days as technology changes at a dizzying speed.
Tech change can be difficult and stressful for seniors in normal times. In the middle of a pandemic it can be terrifying. Seniors must remain open to change or they will be isolated, in virtual darkness at a time when being alone can be deadly.
My California sister, a fairly tech savvy 76-year-old, was clinging to her iPhone 6, a real lifeline for her. Apple had abandoned its iPhone 6 customers a year earlier, no more updates. Her phone was failing. She resisted changing phones, fearing a new one would be too clunky, too heavy, too hard to use.
When suddenly she was in lockdown, a trip to the Apple store was no longer even an option. Her children prodded and pushed. I prodded and pushed. If that phone died, she would be distraught. Her husband was no help, he proudly has a flip phone!
Recently my nephew prevailed. They drove to the Apple store and the clerk came out to the car with an iPhone 10 XR. The entire transaction took place in the parking lot, kinda like a drug deal.
Seniors should have smart phones or tablets and know how to browse, text, email, Zoom, Skype or Facetime. I have a panic button app on my iPhone and iPad. If I fall or am otherwise disabled and conscious, I just push a button and the world responds. Well, in theory that is how it works, I have not had to use it yet.
Seniors should be willing to experiment more with technology. Today the New York Times, an important news source in this house would not load. I immediately looked to see if there was an unloaded update pending. There was and in a few minutes the problem was solved.
Seniors are smart; we have a lifetime of education and experience to guide us. Don’t be afraid; push the button, see what happens!
The Pew Study predictably found that wealthier and better educated seniors were more likely to embrace and use technology. About 40 percent of seniors 65 and older reported they used a smart phone or tablet. But among seniors with income in excess of $75,000 a year, the number jumped to 81 percent.
Smart phones and tablets are expensive, costing anywhere from $400 for a barebones system to well north of $1,000 for a Cadillac version. And then there is the cost of the phone service, extra data purchases, etc. etc. It is much cheaper to live in the dark and have a flip phone.
But again it is not wise or safe, especially if you live alone.
There are groups that help seniors navigate the tech world, purchase and stay connected using smart technology. If you are interested, start with your state Area Office on Aging. Check in with the local AARP office; they offer tech training programs and information for seniors. There are also specialty groups like Senior Net and Older Adults Tech Services (OATS) that offer assistance in a many states. For more information on these programs, just run a Google search.
Of course to do that you have to know how to generate a google search!
If you do not know how, learn now. Learning never stops. It could save your life.
Finally there are seniors that navigate technology like Magellan with a compass. These seniors could be dangerous, a real threat to security in Donald Trump’s world! The Washington Post in a humorous piece on how to tell if your grandparent has become an ANTIFA agent offered the following clue:
“She claims not to know how to use her phone, yet always appears upside down on FaceTime, which should be impossible without hacking capabilities.”
Be safe!
The 73rd Year
Day 84
Seniors must upgrade their technology and skills to successfully navigate the new world in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Failure to do so will leave them isolated, lonely and vulnerable.
The Covid-19 virus has made smart phone and tablet technology essential for seniors. For many, especially those who have been locked-down alone, it has been the only way to communicate with friends and family, follow the news, check on finances, visit with a doctor or watch a video or film. For these Covid-19 shut-ins, it makes the world a little less lonely.
My generation obviously did not grow up with laptops, iPhones, Netflix and Amazon Prime. As I stare across the room, I can see the shelf containing our somewhat dusty World Book encyclopedia, the Google search engine of my day. The books have not been opened for a decade or more.
There is some good news. A 2017 survey by Pew Research revealed that the digital divide between young and old is shrinking. It found that about 70 percent of seniors used technology and were comfortable going online. A study in 2000 reported that only 14 percent of seniors regularly went online.
Unfortunately many seniors view technology as static, like the books on the shelf. They purchase a device, learn a set of skills and figure: “I’ve done it. I am connected.” Until of course they are not which can be just a matter of days as technology changes at a dizzying speed.
Tech change can be difficult and stressful for seniors in normal times. In the middle of a pandemic it can be terrifying. Seniors must remain open to change or they will be isolated, in virtual darkness at a time when being alone can be deadly.
My California sister, a fairly tech savvy 76-year-old, was clinging to her iPhone 6, a real lifeline for her. Apple had abandoned its iPhone 6 customers a year earlier, no more updates. Her phone was failing. She resisted changing phones, fearing a new one would be too clunky, too heavy, too hard to use.
When suddenly she was in lockdown, a trip to the Apple store was no longer even an option. Her children prodded and pushed. I prodded and pushed. If that phone died, she would be distraught. Her husband was no help, he proudly has a flip phone!
Recently my nephew prevailed. They drove to the Apple store and the clerk came out to the car with an iPhone 10 XR. The entire transaction took place in the parking lot, kinda like a drug deal.
Seniors should have smart phones or tablets and know how to browse, text, email, Zoom, Skype or Facetime. I have a panic button app on my iPhone and iPad. If I fall or am otherwise disabled and conscious, I just push a button and the world responds. Well, in theory that is how it works, I have not had to use it yet.
Seniors should be willing to experiment more with technology. Today the New York Times, an important news source in this house would not load. I immediately looked to see if there was an unloaded update pending. There was and in a few minutes the problem was solved.
Seniors are smart; we have a lifetime of education and experience to guide us. Don’t be afraid; push the button, see what happens!
The Pew Study predictably found that wealthier and better educated seniors were more likely to embrace and use technology. About 40 percent of seniors 65 and older reported they used a smart phone or tablet. But among seniors with income in excess of $75,000 a year, the number jumped to 81 percent.
Smart phones and tablets are expensive, costing anywhere from $400 for a barebones system to well north of $1,000 for a Cadillac version. And then there is the cost of the phone service, extra data purchases, etc. etc. It is much cheaper to live in the dark and have a flip phone.
But again it is not wise or safe, especially if you live alone.
There are groups that help seniors navigate the tech world, purchase and stay connected using smart technology. If you are interested, start with your state Area Office on Aging. Check in with the local AARP office; they offer tech training programs and information for seniors. There are also specialty groups like Senior Net and Older Adults Tech Services (OATS) that offer assistance in a many states. For more information on these programs, just run a Google search.
Of course to do that you have to know how to generate a google search!
If you do not know how, learn now. Learning never stops. It could save your life.
Finally there are seniors that navigate technology like Magellan with a compass. These seniors could be dangerous, a real threat to security in Donald Trump’s world! The Washington Post in a humorous piece on how to tell if your grandparent has become an ANTIFA agent offered the following clue:
“She claims not to know how to use her phone, yet always appears upside down on FaceTime, which should be impossible without hacking capabilities.”
Be safe!
Comments
Post a Comment