The digital age means we’re able to sit down at a computer and get instant access to the entire world—and for my mom who’s aging in place, technological advancements like the internet have been a real game-changer. Her computer workspace now functions simultaneously as an entertainment system, writing nook, place for lifelong learning, and a gateway to social connection.
Older adults today are far more tech-savvy than they’re given credit for. While the cliche is that they feel uneasy around the latest tech gadgets, many know their way around a smartphone and tablet as well as anyone. Nearly 60% of older adults use the internet regularly, and almost 80% own a mobile phone—and these numbers have been increasing steadily in recent years. Both age-friendly and tech-savvy, San Francisco boasts plenty of tech happenings right here in town. And it’s our job as caregivers to help our aging loved ones feel integrated into this fast-developing digital world by ensuring they’re taking full advantage of everything that computer technology has to offer—and, if needed, by helping them become more digitally literate.
Before he retired, John had been a history teacher at a high school in Santa Clara. He used to like to say that “geography is destiny,” meaning that where a country was located was a huge factor in its success. As he got older, he realized that applied to life as well. Even though his physical capabilities had diminished, John was able to get around, go to dinners with friends, see shows with his husband, and enjoy the beauty of the Bay Area. He was thrilled by the fact that he lived in an area with the technology and the will to help its older adults. Indeed, thanks to a drive to use technology to make life easier for older adults, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and the entire Bay Area are wonderful places to retire.
Staying connected with our friends and peers brings meaning and joy to our daily lives. For older adults with limited mobility, they may feel cut off from those valuable social interactions. But, the advent of interactive chat forums make it possible for seniors to attend classes and “hang out” with other older adults without leaving home. Physical touch will always have an irreplaceable power to soothe and warm the heart, but online interaction can bring many of the benefits of socialization to those who are feeling isolated at home. It can foster a sense of involvement and community.
When you’re taking your loved one to the doctor for something like an annual check-up or an X-ray, there’s value in heading across town and sitting down to wait for an in-person appointment. But whenever my grandmother would have a minor symptom like an unusual mole, we’d take her to the doctor’s office for an appointment that would only last a few minutes—long enough for the doctor to say that she had nothing to be concerned about, and send us home. It seems like if we could have just sent a quick photo over to the doctor for a look, everyone could have been spared an enormous amount of time and stress and worry. With the advent of telehealth technology, now that is possible.
I was very young when my grandfather began to reach the end of his life, but I could see how those really close to him began to take out and pore over old things he had: honors he had received in the war, a touching letter written by his colleagues about his work as a politician—these are the kinds of tokens that add narrative detail to your loved one’s life. During such an emotionally dense period, it can also feel paradoxical to find yourself facing a seemingly unending list of clinical and emotionless paperwork to take care of in regard to your loved one’s health. Although it can be difficult, maintaining an organized online database of end-of-life documents is vital to ensure that your loved one’s medical preferences and funeral wishes are upheld and their finances are kept in order.
Over the years you spend in your home, you develop a certain comfort with your surroundings, from your spice rack to your knick-knacks—even knowing exactly where to reach for the light switch in your dark bedroom. So, it’s no surprise that nearly 90 percent of adults would prefer to age at home.
The word ergonomics comes from the Greek words “ergon” (work), and “nomoi” (natural laws)—it’s the science of making our environment work well with the ‘laws’ set by our body and its physical capabilities. But as we get older, the ‘laws’ that our body sets start to change, and that alters the way we work, see, and move. What’s ‘ergonomic’ for someone in their 30s could be completely different than what’s ‘ergonomic’ for someone from an older generation.
Uniting consumers and in-home healthcare technology providers isn’t just a two-way street, it’s the intersection where consumers, insurance providers, employers, eldercare agencies, and caregivers come together to get these vital technologies to the people that can use them to enjoy a healthier, happier, and more independent lifestyle. As a home caregiver, you can take the independent initiative to seek out new technologies by getting in touch with your local healthcare agency, capitalizing on web-based resources, and communicating with your doctor about which technologies you and your loved one feel would serve them best.
For a millennial who grew up speaking the language of the Internet, having watched it evolve from the roughly hewn websites of the nineties to the seductive, cinematic pages that we enjoy today, it’s very easy to recognize an email or website that feels “legitimate” or “normal.” But for older generations who didn’t grow up surfing the web, this might not be as intuitive, and could lead to harm. In particular, older adults with Alzheimer’s and dementia could be especially at risk for online financial abuse and email scams.
Institute on Aging (IOA) CONNECT is your direct line to us and the starting point for help with your concerns about the needs of older adults and adults with disabilities. IOA CONNECT links you with our services, as well as community services available. Reach out to connect with us.
Phone: (415) 750 – 4111 | Fax: (415) 750 – 5338
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