Technology is unavoidable at this point, it has become almost ubiquitous in our everyday lives. With that said, some people are still managing to avoid it, despite all the advantages that things like the internet and smartphones offer. However, seniors have shown a willingness to learn despite being reluctant at first. Most people above 65 weren’t eager to embrace the internet a decade ago but since then, senior internet use has been rising steadily and we are seeing the same thing happen with smartphones.
While more seniors are optioning to get digitally connected, there is still an education gap and a learning curve when it comes to using these devices and technologies. We’ve all been there, your grandmother or mom asks you how to do something on her phone and you become her personal IT assistant. However, this doesn’t always have to be the case. If your loved one is looking to become more versed on using the internet or a smartphone, there are a few simple things that you can do to help him or her.
Technology Tips For Seniors
Teaching your senior or loved one more about the internet and devices like smartphones will not only be a valuable learning experience but can also shield them from problems that they may be susceptible to.
There are a number of easy things that you can teach your older loved one about their devices to make their daily lives more simple. For instance, many seniors experience problems viewing their devices due to eyesight problems and other disabilities. When this is the case, simply changing the font size on a phone can make using a device easier for your loved one.
Changing Font Size on Phone
Changing the font size on a smartphone is relatively easy, but if you don’t know how to do it, just follow these instructions:
- For iPhones, you can change the font size by going to the “Settings” icon, go to “General” toward the top of the page, click on “Accessibility”, and from there choose “Larger Text” and adjust the font size to your preferred preference.
- For Samsung Galaxy, open the “Settings” screen and go to the “Display” section, tap “Font Size” and choose the best font size for you.
You also have the option to change font and icon size on computers through the display settings on Apple computers. For Windows devices, simply right click on the desktop and select “View” and choose “Large Icons”.
Along with changing the font size, you can also enable voice commands on your phone to make navigating them easier. Turning on the voice-activated virtual assistant on iPhone called Siri, can help users find directions, use the internet, text, and make calls.
To turn on Siri, simply go to “Settings”, click on “General” and go to the “Siri” tab. For Android devices, the voice app comes pre-installed in smartphones.
Taking a Technology Class
If you don’t want to be the one that your grandparent, mother, or father goes to when they need help with technology, there is an easy solution: enroll them in a class so they can learn more about their device. The AARP offers seniors access to technology training classes where they will learn more about basic technology and how to use devices that are becoming more and more common.
Urging A Senior To Use Technology
Despite how helpful technology can be, many older adults are still reluctant to use new technology. Luckily, there are many selling points for the internet and smartphones. One of the biggest pluses about using modern technology is how connected we are, this is a great thing to bring up when talking with your grandparent or parent.
Many older individuals are looking to connect with long-lost friends and family, social media is the perfect way to do this. Sometimes all it takes is one step for someone to be fully committed to something. Technology for seniors can be made simple and, if older adults learn properly, they can easily navigate through their smartphones and the internet.