New Technology for the Young at Heart

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Just because your grandparents may not have a Facebook or Twitter account, doesn't mean they're not just as hip and accepting to technology as you are. Lately there have been several advances in technology for the aging population.

My first recollection of technology being introduced and targeted for would be the LifeCall commercials, but they made advancements in a short period of time. For example, a few years ago I remembered seeing commercials for the "Jitterbug"(now known as GreatCall) cell phone. It was targeted toward the elderly population. They purposefully made the phone highly specialized with big buttons and few functions (other than making phone calls) to ensure simplicity and being a user friendly device. But they certainly haven't stopped at that, now this phone offers a service called "Live Nurse". The phone's owner has access to medical resources is able to call 24 hours a day 7 days a week to and have their medical questions answered. A handy service especially if the owner is living alone. There is also a function on the mobile phone that allows them to set reminders for their medications.

Now grandpa and grandma can get cell phones that help them send text messages. This article from Wired.com is about a cell phone that has all sorts of hand things for elderly people whom need a cell phone. But doesn't hide the applications in hard to navigate menus. Instead they use big easy to find buttons to make phone calls that also repeat the number back to you when you press it, a flashlight, and an FM radio that can be turned on by the push of a single button. There is also a big orange button the back of the phone; this is an emergency button that allows the owner to program the number to a friend or family's number.

Contrary to popular stereotypes, elderly persons are quite open to adding technology to their care plans. This not only allows them to stay in their homes longer, it allows them to live with limited assistance from caregivers. A report by the AARP asked both caregivers and people aged 65+, about home safety, monitoring, communications and their willingness to use it. The response was postive in that it showed a growing level of awareness and level of willingness to use safety devices.

"Home safety, monitoring, and communications technology are coming of age at a key time for a new generation caring for their loved ones," said Jody Holtzman, AARP Senior Vice President for Thought Leadership. "This could be the first generation of caregivers for whom technology could provide seamless access to communications and real time information about how well their loved ones are doing as they continue to live on their own. The data from "Healthy@Home 2.0" demonstrate that the needs, awareness, interest and ability to pay are substantial."


So although grandma and grandpa may not understand what the hashtag is for in Twitter posts, or why on earth you need to text so much, they are, albeit slowly, jumping on the technology bandwagon.