Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources: Technology Tutoring for Seniors in 5 Easy Steps with Proven Strategies
This article is excerpted with permission from Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources. You can listen to my conversation with Angelica here. – Mark/Editor
By Angelica Herrera Venson,DrPH, MPH
I’ll never forget when an aunt bought a foot massager for my 105-year-old great grandmother. As soon as she dipped her feet in the water, heard the rumbling vibrations, and saw the LED lights come on, she almost fell out of her chair with fright. My aunt had the best intentions, but clearly this was alien technology as far as my great-gramma was concerned.
Granted, some of you are not trying to close such a huge digital divide, but there is a learning curve, nonetheless. Even the techiest among us have days when we want to hurl a tablet or other device into the deepest ocean.
We need to set aside any assumptions we may hold about seniors’ interests and willingness to learn technology. My mother has surprised me many times over in how swiftly she has adopted today’s technology, from online banking to navigating Netflix – showing that technology tutoring for seniors is often much easier than you expect.
Today, about 50% of seniors have a smartphone, and every year a growing number of seniors are welcoming new technology into their homes. With a little patience and the following guidance, you can improve anyone’s confidence with using new technology.
Technology Tutoring for Seniors – The Strategies You Need
- Assess the situation
- Demonstrate, observe, and test
- Leave visual step-by-step instructions
- Stress the value of the device
- Make sure they know who to call