When you have strong relationships, live an active lifestyle, and are pursuing your passions, your overall well-being is elevated. Seniors can use technology to achieve all of these things and more. Let’s explore some key ways you can use it to enhance your life.
Reduced Isolation
Feelings of loneliness and isolation are common in people of all ages. Thankfully, technology has made it much easier to stay connected with your loved ones, engage with your community, and make new friends. High-quality relationships are critical to your overall well-being—they can significantly enhance your mental and physical health.
There are various ways that seniors can connect with others online.
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- Social media. Facebook and Instagram are popular social media platforms that make it easy to keep up with everyone. Rekindle a friendship with people from your past, share special moments and milestones, and enjoy your friends’ photos of special events. Facebook offers groups and pages that focus on specific interests—find a group for everything, from pet ownership tips and golfing to book clubs and crochet.
- Video calling platforms. Video calls have become increasingly popular over the years. FaceTime, Zoom, Google Meet, and Skype allow you to make special memories from afar. Schedule some time with your loved ones to chat over video call. You can even plan an activity, like cooking the same recipe, watching a movie, playing a game, or eating dinner together.
- Online forums. There are plenty of online communities and forums tailored for seniors. Find a virtual community through Facebook groups and senior forums to make friends with similar interests and build social connections.
Improved Mental Acumen
The Internet is home to many digital brain teasers, puzzles, classes, cognitive games, brain training apps, and more that can help you stay mentally fit. Luminosity, CogniFit, and BrainHQ are popular apps that seniors use to strengthen their memory, attention, auditory perception, hand-eye coordination, and more. There are also digital versions of your favorite brain games—try your hand at sudoku, crosswords, Words With Friends, Scrabble, chess, solitaire, and more. In addition to improving cognition, technology gives you limitless access to online courses, tutorials, and classes. There’s no time like the present to pick up a new skill or pursue a passion. AARP has a selection of online events, courses, and classes to help you in your quest for knowledge.
Health Monitoring
Wearable fitness gadgets, like smartwatches and rings, are great ways to encourage a healthier, more active lifestyle. These devices monitor vital signs, like heart rate, sleep quality, and more, giving you insights into your current health baseline and any areas for improvement.
Wearable health-focused devices also encourage you to incorporate healthy habits into your daily life. Apple Watches, for instance, remind you to pause and practice mindfulness or to get up and move if you’ve been sedentary for a long period. These devices and personal alarm systems, like Life Alert, can help you call emergency services if you have a fall or health issue. Technology can truly help support a safer, healthier lifestyle.
Entertainment
In addition to its practical uses, technology gives you access to endless entertainment. Listen to a podcast as you go for a walk. Put on your favorite music while you lounge by the pool. Schedule a movie night with friends or catch up on the new season of your favorite show. Play video games with friends in person or online. Read a novel on your Kindle. Learn a new skill, like speaking Spanish, painting, or needlepoint. Boost your golf game with online tutorials.
Whatever your interests, hobbies, and passions, there’s something available online to stay entertained. These entertaining avenues also open the door for connection—if you enjoy something in particular, share it with a friend or ask someone to join you in the fun!
Convenience
Convenience is one of technology’s biggest benefits. There are many home integrations designed to make daily life easier. Voice assistant tech or phone apps allow you to remotely control your lighting, some home appliances and more. Depending on your community rules & regulations, you may be able to use smart home items like doorbells or cameras to boost safety, security, and peace of mind.
In addition, accessible technology for seniors offers support that enables you to enjoy daily life, autonomously. Smart mobility devices, like smart walkers, have obstacle-detecting sensors and are equipped to support you as you navigate. Assistive tech for seniors, like auditory, visual, and speech aids can empower you to communicate seamlessly.
Get Connected at Village on the Green
At Village on the Green, it’s easy to connect with neighbors at community mixers, events, or even technology classes! Enjoy effortless convenience and endless entertainment with our vast services and amenities—from delicious dining options and community technology classes to a heated pool and putting green, and beyond. Enjoy peace of mind with 24-hour security services. Prioritize your health with our fitness center and professional wellness programming.
Step into a life of connection, leisure, and joy—contact us today.
