Technologies that can contribute to improving the quality of life for elderly people
It is common to consider old age as a limiting factor in the use of technology. However, this prejudice is gradually being overcome because the fact that older people grew up and worked in a completely different reality where paper prevailed does not mean that they cannot adapt and take advantage of emerging innovations. Universities of the Third Age have been very helpful to older people through their classes. Here they teach everything from the basics (connecting computers, Windows, file management) to the use of the internet, email, social networks, and online security.
Technology is an excellent ally that can greatly improve and facilitate the daily lives of older people and their families. Currently, there are many programs or apps available, which sometimes makes choosing and using them difficult, making it important to lock in to the areas of greater interest. The selection of applications can be done together with children or with the teacher at the Senior University.
Shorten distances– WhastApp or Facebook Messenger
Since loneliness is one of the biggest problems in older age groups, having apps like WhatsApp is an excellent way to combat isolation. Nowadays, families no longer live concentrated in a single area or even country, so being able to talk to and see a daughter who lives in Paris or a grandson who is working in New York is a great comfort and joy because they share their experiences, routines, and news. At the same time, the ability to exchange photos is another essential aspect of WhatsApp because adults can review them whenever they want and even show them to friends, strengthening social and family ties.
Medication control – Medisafe
Forgetting a pill or taking the wrong dose is a common risk. However, there are apps, such as Medisafe, that solve these problems in a simple and visual way. It works as a medication organizer, sending audible and visual alerts to remind you to take your medication. If you don’t confirm that you took it, it can notify a family member of the lapse. Through this app, you can also monitor your health (blood pressure, weight) and receive alerts about the need to renew prescriptions.
Tracking the elder’s location – Senior Safety App
The elderly can lose their memory and not know where they are. If this happens on the street, the situation becomes critical because they can also forget their home address. But with this senior safety app, designed for seniors to stay safe with automated emergency alerts to their caregivers, everything becomes easier. This program is popular among caregivers, concerned children of seniors, and nursing homes as well.
Mental training and leisure – Duolingo or Cogweb
Learning a new language has no age limit or place limit. There are fun and educational apps that keep the brain active, which is essential for preventing cognitive decline. An interesting application in this area is Duolingo, which is great for learning a new language (or practicing an old one) in small daily lessons.
In parallel, there is Cogweb, a tool that allows the implementation of personalized cognitive training programs, providing a vast set of computer exercises aimed at different cognitive domains (for example: attention, calculation, perceptual and constructive ability, language, executive functions and memory).
Adopting digital technologies
Regardless of the application, the most important thing is to have patience and calmness in the learning process. Technology should serve the user, not the other way around!
If necessary, KindCare can help with installation and use when needed. To learn more, contact us through this website or at 960 139 517.
Fontes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vECpPyczp4g&t=8
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=app.seniorsafety&hl=pt_PT