(5 Minute Read)
Technology today is always changing. There’s a lot to learn if you ever want to catch up with the grand-kids. However, choosing the right devices and features can help you better understand and use the technology now available to you and your family. Here are a few tips to get you started.
- Bigger font is always better.
For seniors, the risk of impaired vision is already high without technology–it’s expected that by 2030, rates of vision loss will double among America’s seniors. Adding screens to the mix only makes the problem more serious. According to research, if you spend more than two hours on a computer per day, you’re 90% more likely to suffer from Computer Vision Syndrome. Symptoms include eyestrain, stiff neck and shoulders, and headaches. A bigger font will make reading easier for your eyes, and potentially alleviate some of those symptoms if you’re already having them.
- Use a simple device.
Using a simple device designed with seniors in mind is a great way to get your toes in the tech water. For example, the Jethro SC330 3G from T-Mobile is designed for seniors and has large font on the buttons, long battery life, and is incredibly durable. However, if you’re looking for a touch screen, consider Jitterbug’s touchscreen option. Jitterbug’s products are specifically designed for seniors and come with built-in wellness applications like MedCoach, which schedules reminders to take medicine and get refills, or The Wellness Call, which includes a once weekly phone call from a wellness expert.
- Touchscreen tablets are often easier to maneuver than computer keyboards.
Clicks and scrolls take up time and when your hands are tired or arthritic, constantly clicking can be painful. Touchscreen technology has come a long way and is now fairly intuitive. Learning how to operate a touchscreen isn’t as hard as it may seem. In fact, research has shown that seniors actually acclimate to touchscreens fairly quickly, and are one of the best consumer demographics for tablets on today’s market.
- Use your camera application.
Your camera application is useful for more than pictures of family. Use it to take photos of things you might ordinarily spend time searching for, like car keys or remotes. Also, you can use your camera to have video conversations with family through applications like Skype or Facetime.
- Useful applications for seniors.
–Lumosity: This application is for seniors who are trying to stay mentally alert. Lumosity has games, quizzes, and puzzles to help you stay sharp.
–Pillboxie: This application lets you set reminders to take medications.
–Blood Pressure Monitor: This application turns your device into a portable blood pressure monitor and while it’s not exactly a replacement for an actual blood pressure monitor, it’s great for storing and exporting health data to pharmacies like CVS.
- Turn the screen off before bed.
The blue light emitted by tablets, phones, and televisions actually suppresses melatonin production. Because melatonin controls your circadian rhythm, using these devices right before heading to bed can really affect your sleep schedule. Not to mention, they keep your mind alert when you should be resting.
These simple tricks are a great launching pad for using and enjoying technology today. As you get to know the benefits of technology, you might find yourself interested in investing more time and money into reaping those benefits or sharing resources with your loved ones. However, new technology sometimes means high costs. Do you still maintain a life insurance policy, even though you might no longer need it? Did you know you can sell all or a portion of that unwanted policy for more than the cash surrender value? This is called a life settlement, or viatical. Contact Life Settlement Advisors today to learn more about the life settlement process or see if you qualify.
Case Study:
Ralph and Cathy sold their business last year and retired to their dream home in Arizona. Ralph had a corporate owned life insurance policy he no longer needed and was very expensive to maintain. Ralph sold his policy for $175,000 and used the funds to check off several items on their bucket list.
