Embracing technology as a senior is not always the easiest thing to do. Sometimes older people are more stubborn than you know, sometimes they can’t see the screens, or sometimes they just don’t have anyone to explain how to use something. If you want your loved one to embrace technology you have to be patient enough to show them how to use this technology or find someone like home care assistance providers who can be patient with your loved one.
Here are some ways you or home care assistance can help an elderly person embrace new technology.
Start With One Thing
You may want your senior mom or dad to start using a cell phone, smartwatch, tablet, and laptop, but the truth is going over how everything works can be overwhelming for you and a lot of them to learn.
So, instead of throwing everything at your senior loved one, start with one thing. If the most important thing for the family is having a way to get in touch with them or video chatting, teach them to use a smartphone first. Teach them how to make calls and what apps will help them get connected with the grandkids in the family. This allows you to pave the way to introduce new technology at a different date when they already fully understand the one current piece they have.
Home care assistance can help monitor a senior’s phone to ensure they are not missing any important family or professional calls. Caregivers may even remind a senior to call certain loved ones if they know it’s important for the family to stay connected.
Explain Why Tech Can Help
Seniors may be hesitant to adopt a new technology because they don’t understand why they should. What’s the big deal about a laptop or cell phone? You need to make it relatable to their life and why they should at least try to be using certain tech. Maybe bringing up that it will help them learn new crafts, it will help them stay in touch with the younger generation, or that it’s good to have for an emergency. These reasons can encourage your loved one to try something new, including the latest gadgets on the market.
Show Them How To Use It Multiple Times
You can say something repeatedly, but your loved one may not understand what you’re discussing. You will often have to show your loved one how to work a phone or laptop. Show them how to open, close, and write a text. You can also guide them easier by showing them how to use it. Most people won’t know how to do something by just listening because it may look different on their screen, or they may become confused during the talk. It’s important to sit with them and go through the tech together so you understand how to use what you’re giving your elderly parents.
Be Calm and Patient
It may seem like a good idea to get your elderly mom or dad a new phone, but teaching them to use this device will require patience. You will have to remain calm and repeat the same things over and over again or repeatedly help them use the new tech. If you are not able to do this, recruit the help of family or home care assistance.