Using Technology: Older Adult Perspectives

The Impact Theme series: Longevity Explorers Discuss.

Modern technologies like smartphones, computers, wearables, and the internet can be used in many ways that are very relevant for older adults. But they frequently are looking for help and advice on how to use the technology, how to choose it, and how to get it supported.

Below you can hear our discussions, and share what we are learning about these topics.

NOTE: Discussions about specific topics like Alexa or Apple Watch are found in other areas. Look under "Recommendations" in the top, main menu for things like Smarthome, Robotics and AI, or Medical Alerts, or if you are interested in video interactions you would look under Social isolation and Loneliness..

Hear what Older Adults Think: Using Technology

Ideas for Alexa skills or routines to keep my Dad engaged

By: Allynn

I'm giving Dad a couple of Alexa Echos for Christmas (he has a big house and is hard of hearing). I'm trying to find some good skills and maybe set up some routines to get him to actually engage with the devices. I was thinkng of creating a morning routine that includes a greeting, the weather... Read More. Add your Opinions

Tech Support: How Do You Do It?

By: tel-editors

How do you keep your gadgets and computers working?

Our explorers are talking about this topic, and comparing notes. Join the discussion. Share what you do in the comments... Read More. Add your Opinions

Best Video Call Technology

By: tel-editors

Now that we are all "sheltering in place", finding ways to interact virtually with people from our homes has rocketed up people's priority list.

We have had quite a few emails now from people wanting to know the best way to have video calls with their family and friends. Here are some... Read More. Add your Opinions

Internet Scams and Safety

This is a talk on Internet scams and Safety, from Capt John Alfred. Captain Alfred directs the cyber crimes and the state fusion units with the Rhode Island State Police.

Listen to: "Internet Scams and Safety"

Telephone, Cyber and Doorbell Scams Explored

Explorer Steve speaks about computer scams, including one brought to his attention by his neighbor who complained that a message would periodically appear on her computer screen telling her that her computer was infected, and to call the number in the message to get help in clearing her computer.

Listen to: "Telephone, Cyber and Doorbell Scams Explored"

Ageism and Technology

Interesting discussion about Ageism, but also about the challenges of technology adoption by older adults. Among other things the group talked about how to reduce the friction between older and younger adults.

Listen to: "Ageism and Technology"

Devices and Gadgets Sustaining Older Adults’ Resilience

Older adults ingeniously use a wide variety of devices in navigating their daily life. As we age, we use both low- and high-tech gadgets to increase our resilience and overcome any difficulties thrown across our path. Members of the Virual1 Explorers Circle discussed their favorite “helpers” in a far-reaching and spirited session which covered both physical items and digital applications.

Listen to: "Devices and Gadgets Sustaining Older Adults’ Resilience"

Virtual Connections: SRC Perspectives

The Group was asked whether they have been successful at staying in touch with people they can't go to visit during the COVID lockdown.

Listen to: "Virtual Connections: SRC Perspectives"

Need Help Making Alexa Useful

I am setting up Alexa for my parent who lives at a distance. I am unsure what features to include, or how to set it up so it is as useful as possible.

Read: "Need Help Making Alexa Useful"

Google Translate: App of the Month @ SF

San Francisco Explorer Michaela explains to the group how she uses Google Translate, one of her favorite apps.

Listen to: "Google Translate: App of the Month @ SF"

Tech Support During COVID, SRC

Saratoga Retirement Community Explorers tell what they do during the pandemic lockdown when their electronic devices don't work.

Listen to: "Tech Support During COVID, SRC"

Tech Support, Virtual1

During their Zoom Circle meeting, Virtual1 Explorers Circle members discussed personal approaches to tech support developed from their own experience. The discussion included issues like ongoing tech support; updates; learning about new tech; and the challenges of helping friends and family with technology.

Listen to: "Tech Support, Virtual1"

Managing Passwords, Virtual1

As part of a discussion on technology support, the Virtual1 Explorers Circle acknowledged the ever growing need to keep track of a large number of passwords for online sites. For many, the task has become beyond what can conveniently be done with paper and pen

Listen to: "Managing Passwords, Virtual1"

Telehealth - Covid and Beyond

Have you had the opportunity to use telemedicine? During the early period of sheltering in place due to the covid virus, telemedicine was often the only option for non-emergency medical care. Although telemedicine is by no means new, its rapid increase in deployment was due to the societal lock down during covid and its reimbursement by Medicare and other insurers. Many members of the Virtual1 Explorers Circle experienced online medical appointments which were discussed during their August Zoom meeting.

Listen to: "Telehealth - Covid and Beyond"

"Senior" Finds TV Hard to Use

As older adults develop physical and mental frailties, they sometimes have difficulty using products they want to be able to continue to use: such as the TV.

For example, physical impairments, like arthritis or tremor, may make it hard to press buttons. And cognitive impairments may make...

Read: ""Senior" Finds TV Hard to Use"

Getting Tech Help: SF Explorers

The SF Explorer Circle discusses and shares how they get tech help for their devices or tutoring to operate them.

Listen to: "Getting Tech Help: SF Explorers"

Parent's Computer or Phone "Not Working"

Helping family members who are technology-adverse, with their technical problems, has always been tough, but becomes even harder when they are remotely located or in an isolated facility. Part of the problem of remote support is “seeing” what they are seeing and “controlling” what they are doing...

Read: "Parent's Computer or Phone "Not Working""

Lost the TV Remote?

Who is not familar with this experience?

It's time to watch TV. Where did you put the remote control for the TV?

Read: "Lost the TV Remote?"

Online Passwords @ SF (1)

Explorer Steve believes that all passwords should be protected, and welcomes the entry of two-stage authentication for password protected sites by use of email or text messaging.

Listen to: "Online Passwords @ SF (1)"

Parent Keeps "Losing" Their Phone?

Your loved one is frequently misplacing their smartphone while at home.

Many people misplace their phones, but if your loved one has mobility issues or cognitive decline, it’s even more frequent. Wouldn’t it be nice to offer your loved one a solution?

Read: "Parent Keeps "Losing" Their Phone?"

Hand Tremor: Obstacle to Charging "Devices"

A family friend is having problems keeping his iPad charged as he has recently developed hand tremors and is unable to plug in the power cable.

Read: "Hand Tremor: Obstacle to Charging "Devices""

Mother's Fire TV Cube "Not Working"

The Amazon Fire TV Cube that you set up for your mother, who lives in another state, is sometimes hard for her to use. You wish that you had a way to give her remote help on its usage, other than trying to explain it over the phone.

Read: "Mother's Fire TV Cube "Not Working""

Family Video Call: Too Cramped

When my whole family is here, and we want to have an Alexa call with my Aunt who is now in the nursing home, it's rather cramped sitting around my phone or even my Echo Show

Read: "Family Video Call: Too Cramped"

TV Noise Drowns Out Phone Ringing

In my Dad’s nursing home everybody has their TV blasting, including My Dad. Sometimes he can’t even hear me calling on a video chat request on his Alexa Show.

Read: "TV Noise Drowns Out Phone Ringing"

Aging Parent Answers Doorbell Without Looking

My Mom jumps up to answer the doorbell every time it rings. I worry about two things.

I worry she opens the door to strangers without knowing who they are.
I worry she does not always hear the doorbell and might miss out on someone she actually wants to talk to.

Read: "Aging Parent Answers Doorbell Without Looking"

Topic Hub

Using Technology, Finding Technology Support: Senior Perspective

Technology: Using It, Choosing It, Finding Support

A big focus of Tech-enhanced Life's work is finding ways technology-based products can improve the quality of life for all of as we age. But often, for those products to be useful, older adults need to make some changes to their way of life and learn new things. Sometimes, people need some help and advice with that.

Read: "Technology: Using It, Choosing It, Finding Support"

About the Impact Theme Series

Our Longevity Explorers (hundreds of older adults with ages ranging from 60-95 years old) meet regularly to discuss topics at the intersection of aging and technology.

Among the many topics we discuss in these meetings, we have been exploring some specific themes which we think are going to be very important for older adults in the future, and which in our opinion are ripe for innovation. These make up our Impact Themes, and Using Technology is one of these themes.

In these discussions:

We share how we do things today;
We explore and critique existing products;
We talk about challenges we have that we wish products could solve; and
We dream up product concepts we wish someone like you would develop.

If you are developing products or services for older adults in the category of Using Technology, listen to the Longevity Explorer discussions on this page to get insights about how to develop better products and services for older adults.

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Topics (broader coverage of this theme):

Using Technologies

Using Technology: Older Adult Perspectives

The Impact Theme series: Longevity Explorers Discuss.

Hear what Older Adults Think: Using Technology