Sophie Okolo, MPH

Technology has rapidly developed in many ways, making things convenient for many. However, it may not always be a friendly option, especially for seniors who experience challenges using technological gadgets. Although the healthcare manufacturing industry has made some strides in tech-aided gadgets for the senior population, more can be done. Indeed, 4 in 10 senior citizens own smartphones, similar to the younger generation. However, it doesn’t do much for the gaping divide in technology adoption among older people. Here are three top challenges seniors encounter when using technology.

Limitations in hand and arm movements

Many of these tech-aided gadgets are operated by hand and require some level of mobility or skill in the fingers. Unfortunately, older adults with medical conditions restricting hand mobility tend to be disadvantaged. This situation is particularly true for persons living with chronic conditions like stroke, arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, and so on. Their physical vulnerability often limits their engagement in daily activities, especially in things requiring manual dexterity. For example, using smartphones, laptops, and even remote controls can be daunting.

For seniors with this limitation, opting for other technology types that use voice control would be helpful. Although these are available now, they require voice consistency to perform at optimal levels. That also can become another limitation, especially when many senior citizens struggle to maintain a healthy voice pitch. With these restrictions, it becomes more convenient for older adults to rely on the help of younger relatives or caregivers to operate tech-aided devices.

Lack of assistance in using tech-aided devices

According to data, almost 30% of older adults live alone or with an equally aging spouse. If that is anything to go by, only a few have help with their daily activities, leading to a lack of assistance using certain devices. In the quest to understand how these devices work, many get frustrated and may refuse to use them. Certain interventions may be necessary to improve an aging person’s quality of life. For example, in health and well-being, Bluetooth hearing aids may be ideal for a senior citizen who lives alone. Despite lacking human assistance, this technology can communicate with other smart devices with the same inbuilt features. Wireless coordination then becomes beneficial at home.

Keeping up with changes and constant upgrades

New technology is released several times a year. That is not to mention the upgrades and updates required to help older software work. It can be too much for an aging person to keep up with, explaining why many senior citizens may be uninterested in technology devices that require frequent upgrades. Many others also respond to these demands with anxiety and self-doubt, contributing to the digital divide. It would be good to put yourself in their shoes to understand how the older population may feel about these happenings.

Remember that they may already feel overwhelmed with information as technology rapidly evolves. This issue can make them feel uninterested in using the technological gadget altogether. Several older people may be more comfortable handling devices that are easy to adjust to. The more familiar the operation of the gadgets, the higher the chances of the aging population using the device.