Tech Tips for Helping Seniors from a Distance

As people get older, they tend to need a little help. Most seniors can function just fine; it’s just that sometimes, support from loved ones can make a positive difference. That’s why you are ready to help your parents or elderly friend.

Decades ago, you had to live near a senior in order to help them. If you lived far away, there really wasn’t much you could do. However, technology has changed a lot since then. These days, you can provide some assistance to a senior even if you live some distance away. Before you can delve into tech like this, it helps to understand what kind of help seniors often need.

Problems Faced By Seniors

Lumen Learning has a free course online that describes the unique challenges faced by seniors. These include:

• Financial problems brought on by less income and more healthcare expenses.
• Ageism, or discrimination and prejudice based solely on the senior’s age.
• Mistreatment or even abuse by people who should be providing care.
• Loneliness and few opportunities to socialize.
• Depression and similar mental health issues.

But one of the biggest challenges faced by seniors is health. Thankfully, people are living longer than ever. The consequence of that is having more health problems. As Everyday Health explains, many seniors face the same medical conditions:

• Arthritis
• Heart disease
• Cancer
• Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
• Osteoporosis
• Diabetes

To make matters worse, an aging immune system means “simple” problems like the flu can be much more serious.

Apps & Sites To Help You Support Seniors

Then how can you help with these problems? Technology has advanced a lot these days, and there are apps, sites, and individual pieces of technology that can help.

For example, video chat can help alleviate some of the loneliness. It can also strengthen bonds between the senior and their family or loved ones. Video games can provide the mental stimulation needed to help fight dementia and can even be a source of socialization as well. There are even health trackers that share information with you over the internet. All of this can be done without needing to live near the senior.

Technology like this isn’t just reserved for you. You can buy helpful technology online and ship it to your senior friend. Some must-have technology for seniors include:

• Tablets and iPads for photos, music, video chat, and more.
• Hearing aids to help with the loss of hearing that often comes with age.
• Wireless home monitoring systems in case of medical emergencies.
• Assistive technology such as LED lighting or stove shut-off systems.

Home Services

There are other ways to help besides providing technology options. The internet allows you to set up many home services despite living far away.
Nutrition is crucial for seniors, especially if they have difficulty getting to the grocery store. Caring.com lists meal delivery services that can give your senior friend the food they need to stay healthy. This can mean regular groceries or complete meals to cook at home.

If the senior has a pet dog, you can even help with a dog-walking service. You can set up an appointment and pay online, and a trained dog walker will visit your senior when it’s convenient.

Technology Can Help

It’s hard to take care of a senior from afar, but technology is making things much easier. Once you know the typical problems faced by seniors, you can help by using online services and even helping the senior have some technology themselves. This way, you can support seniors despite not living nearby.

For more information on ways to help from afar, download this free PDF on Smartphone apps. https://maryleemacdonald.lpages.co/smartphone-apps/

Marylee MacDonald