Today’s seniors didn’t grow up with today’s touch screens and Bluetooth connections. Just like a Gen Z kid would have a hard time operating a rotary phone, older adults often have a hard time adjusting to today’s technology.
Modern technology can make life easier and can be a game changer for seniors who manage to rise to the challenge despite the initial learning curve. If there’s a technophobic senior in your life, here are ten reasons why you might have a hard time embracing the cyber revolution.
Seniors do not have access to senior-friendly technology
It’s not just older people who struggle with technology, but their caregivers as well. It costs a lot of money to buy newer technology accessible to seniors. Senior-friendly technology is a growing market, with product offerings like a Lively Flip phone aiming to appeal to seniors.
These senior-specific phones have larger screens, oversized buttons, and easy-to-access menus. Product offerings like these demonstrate that accessibility can happen at the design level.
For people over the age of fifty, the number one way they want to communicate with friends and family is face-to-face. The second best way is by phone. After that, at number three, is email. Texting garnered just seventeen percent of the responses, putting it at the bottom of the list for how older adults like to communicate.
This certainly makes sense given how difficult texting can be for older adults, especially those who aren’t used to using technology on a regular basis. Small buttons and on-screen text can be difficult for seniors with limited fine motor skills or nearsightedness.
Older people do not see the benefit of using technology
Older adults may be afraid to learn modern technology because they feel it is unnecessary. For example, an older adult may not see the need for online banking because he has never had a problem with a physical bank before.
Such a person may even feel that it is not safe as online banking is very complex. It can make seniors feel they have less control over essential information and that insecurity can leave the door open for scammers hungry for sensitive financial information.
Older people struggle to learn how to use technology
Technology moves fast and skills fall by the wayside with each new creation and innovative update. It’s hard to keep up with new technology because of the fast pace. Seniors can’t keep up with the learning curve that comes with any new tech skill. Many lack the fundamental technological understanding that facilitates this process for millennials and Zoomers.
Lack of skills causes many seniors to avoid using technology altogether, so they don’t have to learn it in the first place.
Seniors struggle to get assistance using technology
It is normal to need help when using something new. But when it feels like a burden to others, it can make many seniors fear technology altogether.
For example, an older adult may have difficulty learning to use Skype with family members who live out of town. So the older person avoids that chore and talks to them on the phone or in person.
Seniors’ struggle using a computer versus a tablet or smartphone
While tablets and smartphones are great for seniors, switching from a laptop
it’s hard. Not only does a new device take time to get used to, but there are often fewer apps available on these devices than on computers.
It’s hard for older people to use tablets, smartphones, or other devices because they have small screens. Increases the probability that they feel visual fatigue. There are more giant screens available, but they sometimes cost a lot more, making it not worth the risk for someone who will likely use one from time to time.
Older people have a hard time remembering passwords
There is no law that says technology has to be complicated and confusing. But many times, it becomes difficult, especially when one is unable to log into a program when they need to. It can be a significant waste of time and patience.
Older people struggle with the use of technology due to its fast-paced nature
Technology changes so fast that some seniors can be frustrated by this process. Older people also often prefer not to learn new skills unless it is necessary for their job. This reluctance may be why older people want more convenient features, like having a phone that’s better used for calling rather than all the fancy features that make using the phone more challenging, like cameras and flashlights.
There is no denying that it can be challenging to use many types of technology, such as computers and tablets. It requires a lot of time, patience and energy. Everyone will not have enough space for this process.
Older people struggle with using technology because it doesn’t work as expected.
It’s become common for older people to see how technology works in movies or on TV, but that exposure can be frustrating when it doesn’t match real life. The overstimulating features of smartphones and tablets also don’t help reduce seniors’ anxiety about their use.
For example, while email is easy to access from a smartphone or tablet, these devices often include text messages as well. Then there is the possibility of glitches, crashes and malfunctions, making the process difficult.
Seniors are dealing with the aging process and learning new technology is not a necessity
Learning to use technology requires the right energy and patience. Older people must learn what they need to do their jobs or manage their personal lives.
Seniors are dealing with limited financial resources
Technology can be expensive. It’s not always worth buying a smartphone if someone isn’t going to use it often or properly enough. It may not be worth buying an iPad for seniors because of the steep learning curve that comes with it.
Others need to put themselves in your shoes. These problems are real concerns for older people.
It is vital to try to figure out how to alleviate some of the discomfort in learning and adapting to new technology.
Wrap
Everyone has to deal with technical problems. But older people are more vulnerable to facing them, so everyone needs to understand them better. Seniors are a larger population than ever before, so this is one more reason to make things easier for them. After all, who wants their grandparents to struggle with their phones?
Also read: Use technology to take care of your health
How is technology affecting education?
Categories: Technology
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
