860.265.4427Technology is amazing. You could be half way around the world and speak to your loved one who is aging in place “face to face” over video chat. You can be notified if your loved one who is living independently has a medical or other emergency so you can take action or better yet the technology can notify you AND take action on your loved one’s behalf to get them the help they need in an instant.
These are just two of the ways that technology can impact your loved ones life and allow her/him to live more independently and be connected to the world around them in a real and positive way.
While this is all very exciting it can also be intimidating for your loved one and can cause more consternation than happiness. As most of us know, technology is most certainly not perfect and can come with challenges that could make your loved one frustrated or feel self-conscious about her/his use of the new technology in their lives. It is for this reason that you should take steps to make sure that technology is an added assistant and NOT an added burden.
Here are some things you can do to set your parent up for success when using new technology.
1.) Keep it simple. If a piece of technology requires multiple workarounds and a bunch of different steps to remember how to use it, it may not be the right tech for your loved one. A simple app with quick and easy steps is the best way to go. Too many steps may overwhelm your loved one and not only cause them to become frustrated, but also cause them to not use the tech and therefore all your effort will go wasted as the goal of a particular tool may not be realized.
2.) Train them in person. It can be difficult to train anyone over the phone on technology and it can make the technology seem more overwhelming if you’re having a hard time walking her/him through the training. If at all possible, when you give your loved one a new piece of tech you will want to also provide them with training in person. If you cannot do that, there are certainly services out there that you can use to hire someone to come over and give your loved one a lesson on how to use the tech you purchased so it simplifies the process.
3.) Don’t give up. There are so many positive uses for technology that if you settle on one app or piece of hardware and it doesn’t quite work you shouldn’t abandon it at all. In fact, if you have a goal in mind of how technology can help your loved one live a fuller and more independent life at home then you should keep at it until you find the right tool to work. Not all technology is right for everyone, but there are options to be explored. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.
Simple technological solutions to everyday problems for your loved one who is aging in place can be well worth the time dedicated to them. An app as simple as InstaCart allows your loved one to still do their own grocery shopping without the need of assistance, that is a powerful tool. However, technology can get in the way if it is not approached with the right mentality or structure and it can be scary to those who are not native tech users. Just be patient and keep at it and you’ll find the perfect tools to help your loved one live a full and independent life.
