As seniors didn’t grow up surrounded by cell phones and computers, many are resistant to adopting the latest technology. Despite this hesitancy, having smartphones may benefit seniors for a variety of reasons. Here are several reasons senior care experts encourage elderly people to use smartphones.
Preserves Memories
Contemporary smartphones contain cameras that are more powerful than some digital cameras. Having a smartphone can give your parent or grandparent an opportunity to take pictures of friends and family and keep treasured moments at their fingertips.
Offers Reading Assistance
There are plenty of apps available on different mobile platforms for seniors with vision challenges. EyeReader is $1.99 in the Apple app store and can transform your loved one’s iPhone into a giant magnifying glass. This type of app is a perfect tool for seniors who need to be able to read small print on menus or prescription bottles. And if your loved one wants to read books that are only available in small print, these apps ensure he or she can continue to read his or her favorites.
Seniors can face a variety of age-related challenges. Though some families choose to take on the caregiving duties, there may come a time when they need a trusted elderly home care provider. Families sometimes need respite from their duties so they can focus on their other responsibilities, and some seniors need around-the-clock assistance that their families are not able to provide. Senior Stride Home Care is here to help.
Promotes Cognitive Health
Certain tasks or activities, like word puzzles, strengthen cognitive health. Unlike a crossword puzzle in the newspaper, a smartphone allows your loved one to play mentally engaging games whenever and wherever he or she wishes. Plus, the increasing levels in certain games, such as AlphaBetty Saga and Words with Friends, will challenge your loved one and encourage a competitive spirit.
Tracks Health
Instead of using a pen and paper, you and your loved one can track certain bodily functions by phone. If your loved one has hypertension, you can monitor his or her daily blood pressure using an app like Blood Pressure Companion (available on Apple devices), or Blood Pressure Watch (available on Android devices). While a professional caregiver can provide medication reminders, certain apps, including Pill Monitor, Dosecast, and MedCoach, send notifications when it’s time for seniors to take their daily medication.
Living with serious health conditions can make it challenging for seniors to age in place. However, they can maintain a higher quality of life with the help of professional live-in care. Oshkosh seniors can benefit from assistance with meal prep, bathing, transportation to the doctor’s office, medication reminders, and much more.
Provides Safety Monitoring
The Spantec Fall Detector app is available on Android devices and monitors the phone’s owner for falls, just like a medical alert bracelet. This app works by constantly monitoring the user’s movement in order to tell the difference between “normal” movement and movement that could indicate a fall or injury. If a fall or inactivity is detected, a text is immediately sent to you or another family member’s phone. Likewise, there are several apps that can turn your loved one’s smartphone into a GPS tracking device you can monitor throughout the day.
Using a smartphone is one of the many ways older adults can enjoy a high quality of life. Professional caregivers can also help seniors make healthy lifestyle choices that boost their health and wellbeing. One of the most challenging tasks of helping an elderly relative age in place safely and comfortably is researching agencies that provide senior care. Oshkosh families can turn to Senior Stride Home Care for reliable, high-quality in-home care for aging adults. We offer 24-hour care for seniors who require extensive assistance, and we also offer respite care for family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties. For reliable in-home care services, contact us today.