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Become one of the Tech-Savvy Older Adults in 5 Steps

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

Did you know you can become one of the tech-savvy older adults today?

Technology use is growing across people of all ages.

And while the obstacle to computer literacy among older adults has been the assumption that it’s best suited for the younger generation, technology use among adults is soaring.

According to a report by the Pew Internet and American Project, in 2014, only 11% of older adults owned a smartphone.

Today, middle-aged and older adults are embracing technology more than ever.

This is evident by a study that suggests that approximately 70% of seniors are now using the internet.

They use the internet to stay connected with their loved ones, stay informed, etc.

Of course, there is still a percentage of seniors who are yet to embrace the technology.

In this article, you’re going to learn some practical tips for seniors on how to become more tech-savvy.

But before that, let’s learn a few things.

Benefits of Being Tech-Savvy

Given how technology is deployed in all aspects of our lives across generations, there is no reason why seniors shouldn’t be more tech-savvy.

Besides, technology is more than Snapchat and Amazon shopping.

Tech-savvy older adults have an easier time staying connected to their loved ones.

Older adults who are tech-savvy also relieve caregivers of some hustles.

In case you’re wondering why older adults should be tech-savvy, here are the reasons to convince them.

Improved safety

With the advancement in technology, there comes improved safety.

These days, family members don’t need to worry about allowing their loved ones to stay alone at home thanks to the availability of personal monitoring devices.

These devices allow monitoring of the wearer from a distance and can help to detect any danger directed to older adults.

Tech-savvy seniors can seek assistance with just a press of a button.

If your loved one likes to walk around, have them carry a GPS-enabled device or get them a simple tracker to wear.

This way, you can tell where they are at any time and in case they need help.

For older adults who live at home alone, a home alert system could help to improve their safety.

Socialization

The greatest benefit of modern technology is the ability to allow us to communicate and socialize with the most minimal effort and cost-effectively or even free.

These days’ smartphones and tablets are programmed in a way that they can display larger buttons, icons, and brighter screens for older adults with impaired eyesight.

Some high-end devices also offer the option to have texts read out loud by the device instead of straining eyes to read tiny texts manually thanks to AI and machine learning technologies.

There is also an abundance of social media, texting, and video chatting apps that allow seniors to easily stay connected with friends and loved ones without having to travel.

This ability to stay in touch with others helps older adults in combating feelings of isolation and depression which are common problems faced by seniors living alone.

Entertainment

Older adults can download games, hobby apps, high-quality movies, or stream TV services on their smartphones.

There are mountains of games online that can keep older adults busy.

Seniors can also find puzzles and other types of games that stimulate their minds and keep their brains active.

Medication management

As we age, our brainpower starts to decline. We start to forget things easily. For seniors taking certain medications at particular times of the day, it’s easy to skip important medicines. Even caregivers can get busy and forget to give older adults some medicine.

Thankfully, medical experts working around the clock have created medication apps that send alerts when it’s time to take medicine.

Some apps are designed for monitoring general health so your doctor can use this information to administer the right medicine.

Convenience

With modern technology, shopping for groceries or other essential items online is a breeze.

Tech-savvy older adults can use their smartphones or tablets to order items online and have them delivered to their doorstep.

Learning is also a breeze thanks to modern technology.

If there is something new you want to learn more about, just open a browser on your mobile phone and Google it.

Older adults can also join online classes and learn a few things to keep their brains engaged and active.

As you can see, there are many benefits of technology for older adults.

Tips to Become Tech-Savvy

Follow the tips below:

1. Overcome your fear

Exploring something new in life can be intimidating and dreadful. You aren’t sure whether you’ll get things right or wrong.

But there is one thing you should remind yourself of:

If others made it, why not you?

The reality is that there are tens of thousands of older adults out there who became tech-savvy in their older ages.

And the good news is that the starting point is always the difficult one.

Besides, fear is what keeps us from trying something new.

Look at the things you were once afraid of trying that you’re currently good at. See how you conquered fear and apply the same.

2. Be positive

Your attitude determines your altitude. You must have learned or heard of this saying.

In simple terms, having a positive attitude will bring you up higher in life no matter the situation.

So first, begin with an “I can do it” attitude towards learning and embracing the technology.

It’s possible that your close friends have probably demoralized you before and perhaps this is keeping you from thinking you can make it.

Let go of all your friends’ opinions and find out your own.

Who knows, you might find it a lot more exciting than you may have thought.

3. Have a copy of your passwords

As one grows old, forgetfulness becomes a constant habit.

Older adults are known to forget even the most important things like car keys, glasses, etc.

This means that seniors can forget their passwords easily.

For that reason, it’s recommended to have a backup plan.

This includes writing down passwords in your journal (ensure no one but only you can access the journal).

In case you log out of your online accounts and you forget your passwords, you can easily retrieve them from your journal.

4. It takes time

Becoming tech-savvy at an older age is no easy task.

You learn a new concept today and tomorrow you’ve forgotten everything.

It can be frustrating and demoralizing.

But take your time. Explore new topics taking short breaks when you feel exhausted.

Give your brain the right information it can absorb and don’t be too hard on yourself.

Stay true to yourself and know that you cannot grasp everything in a day. After learning a new concept, spend some time practicing it continually so that it can stick in your mind.

5. Be reachable

While it is advisable to power off electronic gadgets we’re not using to save power, you can switch your computer when not in use but keep your mobile phone on so that people can reach you easily.

Join computer clubs

The internet has all sorts of organizations and clubs where older adults can learn almost everything from gardening to cooking, and technology.

The good news is that some of these clubs and organizations are free to join.

Head over to Google; you’ll find thousands of these clubs.

Befriend Google

In case you have no one to ask, Google is your close confidant.

As long as you’re connected to the internet, you can ask Google about anything and the search giant will provide you with exactly what you want.

Go to Google and search “how to type information on Microsoft word” and see the mountains of information you’ll get.

Use how-to online videos

YouTube is a goldmine when it comes to learning a new skill. You can find almost any video tutorial from farming to manufacturing and technology.

The good news is that all the tutorials on YouTube are free.

Just go to YouTube and enter the keywords related to the topic you want to learn with a “how-to” at the end of the keyword.

For instance, you could enter “save a Microsoft word document how-to”.

You can also buy professional video tutorials from Udemy.

Subscribe to tech-savvy publications

This is one of the best ways to get constant updates and knowledge relevant to the topics you want to master for free.

Explore as many websites and publications as you can that can offer you the right information then subscribe to their email list.

This way, you’ll be receiving planned emails with valuable information.

Follow their social media profiles to learn the information they post every day.

Practice, Practice, Practice!

Having done all the above, and even during the entire learning process, keep on practicing.

They say practice makes perfect and there is no better place this mantra can be used than when you’re looking to become a tech-savvy older adult.

No matter the mountains of knowledge you learn, it doesn’t make sense if you’re not using it practically.

To get better at something, you have to learn and practice it.

Author Bio:
Nick van Migrot is a professional health expert for seniors. When he is free, he usually enjoys providing assignment help to high school and college students. Besides, he is the author of the best essay writing service review

 

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Juggling Caregiving in the Sandwich Generation
Caregiving

Juggling Caregiving in the Sandwich Generation

by Kathy Macaraeg
written by Kathy Macaraeg

One of the most challenging caregiving issues – outside of the actual caregiving tasks – is finding a way to balance caring for your elderly parent’s needs with your immediate family’s needs, particularly if you have children in the home. Parenting and caregiving are both physically, emotionally and financially draining endeavors with big rewards. Juggling Caregiving in the Sandwich Generation

You’ve heard the term “sandwich generation,” but the full impact of that role is difficult to imagine until you are living it. Your mother needs groceries but your child is home sick from school, or your mother took a fall but your child has an award ceremony. How do you manage the needs of two very different carees without feeling like you’ve failed both? Juggling Caregiving in the Sandwich Generation

Tips to Manage Being Part Of The Sandwich Generation

If you are part of the sandwich generation and are struggling to juggle parenting and caregiving, here are some tips to make your roles more manageable. Juggling Caregiving in the Sandwich Generation

Organization is Key:

Juggling the schedule of an elderly parent and children can be overwhelming. The best way to keep it all together when you are part of the sandwich generation is to set up a system to organize it all. I personally prefer an old fashioned planner, where I can drop all of my appointments on a monthly and weekly calendar and keep notes in the back. You can include contact information for all of your mother’s doctors, as well as the soccer schedule for your daughter.

Of course, the best system is the system that works best for you, so if you prefer a digital calendar, Google has a wonderful calendar that can be shared with other people. If you are coordinating rides for your children or parents, this is a great way to make sure everyone knows where they have to be.

Set up a good record-keeping system to ensure you don’t forget an important piece of information. Is it your mother who is allergic to penicillin, or is it your husband? Set up a medical file either in a binder, in a file cabinet, your phone or on your computer with important health information so you don’t forget those important details. Juggling Caregiving When You Are Part Of The Sandwich Generation

Share the Load:

Just because you live the closest to your elderly parent doesn’t mean you have to do everything yourself. I had a family who ran their mother’s care like a business. The three siblings were all part of the sandwich generation, with their own young children so they divided up the oversight of their mother, who had dementia, in a way that worked for them.

The oldest daughter lived across country, so while she couldn’t handle day-to-day tasks, she handled her mother’s finances and found services for her. She hired the caregiving agency, cleaning service, hairdresser and transportation services for her mother. The son lived an hour away, but worked nearby, so he took his mother to her medical appointments and the youngest daughter, who had young children would handle her mother’s grocery shopping and managing the caregivers.

They were a well-oiled machine who worked together. If you have a sibling who doesn’t live nearby, taking on your parent’s finances is a great way for them to contribute to your parents’ care.
If you are an only child or your siblings aren’t able to provide care, can you outsource services? Perhaps your siblings can help cover the costs to take some of the load off of you. I had a customer who had two sons, but was estranged from one of her sons. While he did not play a role in her care, he did contribute financially to help his sibling, who he was very close to.

Another possible untapped resource is friends or family of your caree. My mom helps her nephew care for his mother, who is my mom’s sister. She has also stayed with a friend who was recovering from surgery when her friend’s husband needed to travel. Don’t only look to siblings, think about both of your extended networks.

Make it a family affair:

Being part of the sandwich generation means caregiving is sometimes a family affair. Do you need to check in on your mom but your spouse isn’t available to stay home with your children? Take them with you! Your parents will love to see them and I’m sure they would love to see their grandparents. You can have them help with the simple tasks such as work around the yard, laundry or even vacuuming. I knew a family whose high school-aged daughter would spend her spring break with her grandmother, cooking lunch for the two of them and going with her on walks. What a wonderful bonding experience for the two of them!

Or, alternatively, bring your parent along on your family activities. When I was a child, my mother used to pick up my grandmother every Saturday and she would join us in whatever activity we had planned, or, we would all go to lunch together. It was wonderful to spend time with my grandmother, and even after she was in a wheelchair, we were still able to enjoy her company over lunch.

Let go of the small things:

This is a really difficult one for me, but not everything has to be perfect. Sure, the clean laundry is still sitting in the basket and the dishes are still in the sink, but the world truly will not end over these small things. Accept that sometimes, good enough is enough and forgive yourself for the imperfections. It is far more important for you to take a 20 minute nap than to have your floors mopped.

As someone with a Type A personality and a chronic illness, I struggle with this every day. I have to remind myself that my health is more important than having all of the mail sorted or the clean laundry put away. As long as the clothes are clean, we’re set!

Live in the moment:

While it is extremely overwhelming to take care of the needs of both an elderly parent and children, try to remember that the busy-ness and exhaustion of this time will not last forever and there will be a time when you will cherish the time you had with both of them. Our parents don’t live forever and our children won’t always be so young. This is really difficult to put into practice, but it if we try to focus on the joys of now and let go of the small things, it can help us accept our present.

Are you part of the sandwich generation? What are some of the ways you handle caring for elderly parents and children? Juggling Caregiving in the Sandwich Generation

Juggling Caregiving in the Sandwich Generation

Juggling Caregiving in the Sandwich Generation Juggling Caregiving in the Sandwich Generation Juggling Caregiving in the Sandwich Generation Juggling Caregiving in the Sandwich Generation Juggling Caregiving in the Sandwich Generation Juggling Caregiving in the Sandwich Generation

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What the Home Caregiver Shortage Means for Seniors and Disabled
Caregiving

What the Home Caregiver Shortage Means for Seniors and Disabled

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

As the population of Americans over the age of 85 grows dramatically, so too has the need for home caregivers. By the year 2026, demand for home caregivers will grow by another million. This is an alarming prediction, because there is already a serious shortage, which is making it very difficult for seniors and people with disabilities to find the assistance they need. Many overall healthy people have resorted to living in nursing homes and other institutions simply so that they can receive basic help with daily tasks. What the Home Caregiver Shortage Means for Seniors and Disabled

Causes of the Home Caregiver Shortage

Although it is a quickly growing profession, there are still not nearly enough people interested in working as caregivers in order to keep up with the demand. Caretaking jobs tend not to pay very well; currently, the average home caregiver is paid only $10.99/hour. This is similar to what employees in retail or food service earn. Additionally, caregivers often have inconsistent schedules, part-time work only, poor benefits, and few opportunities for advancement (1).
Moreover, the job comes with a lot of responsibility, and mistakes can result in serious injury, police investigations, and other issues.
Strict immigration policies may also affect the caregiver shortage, as roughly one quarter of caretakers are immigrants.
With all of these factors combined, it is not exactly shocking that home care agencies experience an annual turnover rate of 60% (1).

Impact of Caregiver Shortage on Individuals and Families

The Columbus Dispatch recently interviewed a woman named Kenna Robinett, who is the guardian for her twin nephews, who are both on the autism spectrum. She was able to find home caregivers for her nephews, but they were far from reliable. The caregivers served her nephews frozen hot pockets (unheated), microwaved bread sticks until they were burnt to a crisp, and stored ice cream in a cabinet drawer. On one occasion, the boys’ school called because one of them had arrived with feces on his hands. Another day, Robinett received a message saying that there would be no one available to care for her nephews as of 3p.m. that same day, because the agency was shutting down.
In addition to causing the inconvenience of rapidly finding a replacement, caregiver turnover can be emotionally traumatic. “This is deeply personal, intimate care,” Patty Lyons told The Columbus Dispatch, discussing her 15-year-old daughter, who has several disabilities and health conditions. “She has a G-tube (which delivers food to the stomach), takes 13 different medications. Essentially, she’s nonverbal. She has to be left alone with a provider while I’m at work.”
Lyons’ daughter, Adriana, previously had a private-duty nurse. Then Medicaid policies changed and she was declared ineligible for nursing services, under the assumption that a less expensive care provider could meet her requirements. However, it took Lyons months to find someone who could appropriately care for Adriana(2).

Caregiver Shortage Causes Unnecessary Institutionalization

Although staying in an assisted living center or nursing home is a viable option for some, seniors increasingly prefer to age at home (3). For those with the financial means, this can work very well; 102 year old Leroy Neuberg told the Radio program Bostonomixthat he credits his longevity to his dedicated and qualified home caregiver (4). However, many seniors who are healthy enough to live at home with some assistance are unable to do so due to the lack of available caregivers. People with disabilities have the same issue –even those who are very young.
25-year-old Korrie Johnson has cerebral palsy and limited mobility, but is overall healthy and mentally fit. Her mother used to help her with daily tasks, but is now unable to do so because she was injured in a serious car crash. Johnson had no other choice but to move into a nursing home in order to receive basic assistance.
“This is no place for someone my age,” she told the Star Tribune. Most of the other residents have dementia and other debilitating conditions.
Johnson is far from the only disabled person living in an institution and wishing to be free. In her home state of Minnesota, approximately 1,500 people under age 65 live in nursing homes. With a bit of help, many of them would likely be able to live at home and lead productive lives.

Solving the Home Caregiver Crisis

Advocates argue that unnecessary institutionalization, such as what Johnson is experiencing, violates civil rights. The Supreme Court “Olmstead” ruling (1999) mandates that states provide their residents with care in the most integrated environment possible.
Even from an economic perspective, home care makes sense. It tends to cost taxpayers less than nursing home care (5).
A critical component of fixing the caregiver shortage is making home caretaking a better profession. Worker cooperatives may help improve conditions for home caregivers, as well as provide training opportunities. Additionally, changes to Medicaid rules could provide caregivers with increased pay and benefits, more stability, and room for advancement (1).
As a society, we must recognize the importance of this profession, and treat home caregivers with the respect they deserve.
Sources

  1. Forbes– The Shortage of Home Care Workers: Worse Than You Think
  2. The Columbus Dispatch– Crisis in care: Lack of quality caregivers, constant turnover tough on disabled, families
  3. The Chicago Tribune– ‘Crisis mode’: As boomers age, a shortage of caregivers
  4. Bostonomix– Demand For Senior Home Care Grows, But Its Pay Remains Low
  5. Star Tribune– Shortage of home health workers forcing young Minnesotans with disabilities into institutions

This guest blog post was contributed by Reiter & Walsh ABC Law Centers.

What the Home Caregiver Shortage Means for Seniors and Disabled

What the Home Caregiver Shortage Means for Seniors and Disabled What the Home Caregiver Shortage Means for Seniors and Disabled What the Home Caregiver Shortage Means for Seniors and Disabled What the Home Caregiver Shortage Means for Seniors and Disabled What the Home Caregiver Shortage Means for Seniors and Disabled What the Home Caregiver Shortage Means for Seniors and Disabled

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10 Tips to Reduce Caregiving Stress
Caregiving

10 Tips to Reduce Caregiving Stress

by Carol Marak
written by Carol Marak

Helping a loved one through elder care or illness takes a mental and emotional toll on an individual. When caring for others, it’s important to take care of yourself. If you’re not in good health, the tasks of giving care will fall short, not to mention the hardships and risks it places on you, which range from exhaustion, illness, and burnout. 10 Tips to Reduce Caregiving Stress
The stresses of giving care work out in different forms and several studies report as many as one in three feel anxious and strained. And one in two, report they have less time to spend with their support system. To help relieve potential anxiety and stress, follow these tips. 10 Tips to Reduce Caregiving Stress

  1. Put your health first. Eat wholesome foods and avoid urges for desserts and sweets. Get plenty of sleep and if fatigued during the day, take a nap. Get a regular medical checkup, and if depressed and feel extreme sadness, talk to a medical professional.
  2. Reach out to friends and family members. Do not isolate.
  3. Get support and ask for help. List out what needs doing and ask others to pitch in.
  4. Locate and call local resources like the Area Agency on Aging. They can suggest and make recommendations for assistance. Contact a home care agency to request the help of an aide. Volunteers from faith-based organizations or local groups can help with cooking or driving.
  5. Take a break and consider respite care. Ask a friend to step in while you have lunch or run an errand. Contact an adult day care center for breaks during the day. Plan a longer break by going away for the weekend and turn to assisted living or residential care facilities for help. Some accept short-term stays.
  6. Address your emotions. Don’t keep them bottled up. Call a friend or family member and share your frustrations. Join a local caregiver support group or see a professional counselor.
  7. Once each day, do something you enjoy. Take a walk outside, call a friend on the phone, read, dance, and listen to music. Some individuals meditate, pray, and visualize.
  8. Get prepared and organized. Use a calendar to make a to-do list. And start the day by completing one task and work your way through it. Don’t panic if you can’t get to them all.
  9. Don’t be a people pleaser. It’s okay to set boundaries and to say no. You cannot do everything and meet everyone’s demands. Resist the urge to do more than you can handle.
  10. Avoid pessimism and give yourself credit.

By taking action, you can solve issues before they become problems. Remember that providing care to another person puts strain even on the most active and spirited humans. If you’re a caregiver, take steps to preserve your health and well-being.
For more information check out our article on Top 10 Caregiving Hacks to Simplify Life.

10 Tips to Reduce Caregiving Stress

10 Tips to Reduce Caregiving Stress 10 Tips to Reduce Caregiving Stress 10 Tips to Reduce Caregiving Stress 10 Tips to Reduce Caregiving Stress

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