Tech Savvy Seniors

TECHNOPHOBIA – FEAR OF TECHNOLOGY

Many seniors are ‘technophobic’, which is not surprising as they grew up in homes devoid of technology: radio was the closest thing. TV only arrived in the late 1950’s (1976 in South Africa) but it took until 1981 for IBM to launch the first personal computers. Apple introduced the first smart phone in 2007, which then ‘put a computer in the palm of your hand’.

The most common barriers which seniors encounter in gaining computer skills are:

1. being unfamiliar with digital devices and how they operate. Consequently, seniors do not see the benefits of them, only the difficulties in learning a new technology and language.

2. afraid of putting personal information on a computer until they feel safe going online

3. doubting their ability to learn something new

4. limited access to digital devices and WIFI

5. insufficient support from family and friends w
ho rarely spend enough time to ensure skills transfer.

Here is our advice for Seniors who want to learn about Smart-phones, tablets or laptop computers:

*Don’t be afraid of the device – push buttons and see what happens. Make mistakes and learn from the experience, its highly unlikely that you will kill it!!!!

*Don’t panic – if you pushed a ‘serious’ button, then the device will give you a written warning, which you should read before proceeding

*Don’t give up and keep practicing. You cant learn a new skill in 5 minutes. Make step-by-step notes as you go and refer to them often, otherwise, you will repeat mistakes or forget successful actions. Keep these notes forever and update as your skills improve. This is especially true when family or friends are trying to add a new application or fix a problem on your digital device – always make notes on their actions.

Lastly, believe in yourself. Millions of seniors around the world are successfully using smartphones, tablets and laptop computers; if they can do it, then so can you.

NO WHATSAPP ON OLD IPHONES

WhatsApp have just advised that they will no longer support the Apple IOS 9 operating system (software) which is found on old iPhones. This could also apply to those who have not updated their iPhone in a couple of years.
This could be bad news for many seniors who use WhatsApp because it supplies free messaging and phone calls to anywhere in the world.
To find out if your iPhone is still working on WhatsApp:
Go to settings (the gear-style icon on your home screen)
Tap ‘general’
Tap ‘about’ – if the software version is IOS 10 or higher, you are OK
WhatsApp also supports Android OS 4.0.3 and Kai0S 2.5.1 operating systems (software)
The software for all mobile phones is updated regularly. Users are advised to check that they have up-to-date software, to both protect your phone and improve performance.

TECHNOLOGY LEADS TO A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE FOR SENIORS

Pew Research, USA found that 58% of seniors say technology has had a mostly positive impact on society, while roughly three-quarters of internet-using elders say they go on online on a daily basis – and nearly one in ten go online almost constantly.
From the results of this research, it is evident that the use of new technologies by seniors significantly contributes to a better quality of life, improving parameters of daily living such as transportation facilitation, communication and participation in social life.
‘The average person over 60 grew up without digital devices and do not have the skills to use them optimally because they were only introduced to the technology at a later stage in their lives. In contrast, most youngsters were exposed to it from a very young age and are relatively comfortable with technology’, Drina du Plessis from UNISA stated.

Some seniors suffer from disabilities which make life difficult.

Whether it’s being hard of hearing, visually impaired or physically disabled, chances are that you can't use your digital device the same as everyone else.

That’s ok because there are plenty of apps to help seniors with these challenges. Let us show you how.

Physical distancing does not need to mean social isolation.

Do you have friends and family feeling socially isolated due to lack of digital/online know how?

Book them a consultation with Tech Savvy Seniors today!

HOW TO REDUCE MEMORY LOSS & DEMENTIA

Stop expecting mental decline – dementia is a lifestyle disease, just like diabetes. We have a use-it-or lose it brain. If you train it, you can regain it.

You can reduce the likelihood of dementia by 50% through:

1 – exercise – 30 minutes per day: walking, dancing, gardening etc.

2 – learn new things - your brain needs to be mentally challenged by continuously learning new things. Don’t just do things you are good at – once you’ve learnt it, move on to a new challenge.

3 – social connection – you need strong connections to friends, family and community, where you feel that your life has meaning and purpose, that you are still contributing. An African study found that volunteering changes the structure of the brain and improves cognition.

4 – a healthy diet has a big role to play

Open up your world online

Training offered by Seniors. For Seniors.