The gift of old age is often overlooked and downplayed. Instead, the weaknesses and age-related diseases known to affect elderly people are being focused on. The focus on the downside of growing old is quite understandable; with the rise in age-related diseases and accidents, there is a fear of leaving elderly people all by themselves. Anything could happen.
Elderly people are, more often than not, considered helpless and, as such, assumed to be dependent on others in order to keep living. It is a fact that most of the elderly who suffer from age-related diseases like Alzheimer, dementia, and arthritis often need help and are not advised to live alone. But there is also the fact that technology has made available gadgets that help the elderly with mild cases of these diseases to fare well on their own.
Understanding the weaknesses of the elderly and how important the right gadgets are to them will go a long way in making the right decision that will positively affect the elderly and the world at large. In this article, we’ll be looking at common misconceptions about the elderly and factors to be considered when providing gadgets for the elderly, including easy-to-use gadgets for elderly people. Read on.
Common Misconceptions about Elderly People
Here are common misconceptions about the elderly:
- All elderly men and women are senile.
- All elderly men and women are helpless.
- All elderly men and women cannot learn and adapt to new things.
- All elderly men and women suffer from age-related diseases.
- All elderly people are always helpless and depend solely on people to assist them.
The image painted in most people’s minds of the elderly is disconcerting. The image of frail, weak and disease-plagued elderly may be true for some, but it is also necessary to consider the elderly who are strong and healthy.
There are elderly men and women between the ages of 60 and 100 who are still physically strong and are not diseased or bedridden. They may lack the agility of a youth, but they still have their wits around them. They are still able to do things on their own, albeit slowly.
The advent of technology and the availability of gadgets, however, are not without challenges. These challenges may be mental or physical, depending on the physical and mental condition of the elderly in question.
The Likely Challenges to be Faced by Elderly People Using Gadgets
1. Technology Gap
This results in the inability of elderly men and women to adapt to the available gadgets made to help them. The educational level of the elderly can be a prohibiting factor in learning and adapting to the use of available gadgets.
2. Lack of Understanding
This is related to the first challenge. Poor understanding of how gadgets work could make elderly people less inclined to use them.
3. Fear
Humans are naturally inclined to avoid what they do not understand. The elderly are not left out. There is a fear of something going wrong and being harmed by their usage of these gadgets. Notwithstanding, the tales of scams and cyberbullying contribute to the fear of the elderly of using gadgets like smartphones.
4. Physical Impediments
Some of these gadgets have to be activated by someone other than the elderly for whom the gadget was purchased. This is because the elderly may be limited by physical impediments such as failing eyesight and poor hearing.
The above challenges can be maneuvered and handled in such a way that the right gadgets for specific needs can be introduced. For instance, the challenges of fear, lack of understanding and the technology gap can be dealt with with patience and a slow introduction to how these gadgets work. It may take time, but the result will always prove to be worth it in the end.
Now that we know the challenges faced by the elderly in adapting to technology and gadgets. Let’s discuss gadgets for elderly people.
Gadgets for Elderly People
Below is a compiled list of gadgets that have been known to make life easier for the elderly.
1. Smartphones
The fear of being far away from your elderly loved ones has been reduced with the help of mobile phones. Smartphones will enable them to make video calls with their loved ones, closing the distance of a thousand miles with just one click. There is also social media and the internet, all of which are available on smartphones. The elderly who have mastered the art of navigating social media and the internet have the advantage of accessing ready information and knowledge.
2. Hearing Aids
Hearing aids are an important gadget for elderly people. The tiring days of shouting and gesturing to be heard and understood by the partially-deaf elderly are over. Hearing aids have made it possible for your elderly to live their normal lives without fear.
3. Robotic Vacuum Cleaner
This is a must-have gadget for the elderly who like to keep the home clean. It ensures that they’re not stressing too much while keeping the home sparkling and clean. All they need to do is put it on from the switch, and the vacuum does the job while they regulate it.
4. Robotic Lawnmower
Another gadget for elderly people will be the robotic Lawnmower. This lawnmower takes care of the chores of tending small gardens, giving the elderly a break from the stress of bending or automatically mowing the lawn (especially when they are not physically fit to do so).
5. Automatic Can Openers
If you have an elderly person with weak muscles, they do not have to worry about opening cans anymore. These can openers do the job of opening cans simply with the press of a button. All they have to do is place the opener on the can, press the button and watch the gadget perform its work.
Now that we know the challenges faced by the elderly in adapting to technology and gadgets, we can then put into consideration the factors that influence the use of gadgets by the elderly.
6. Pill Reminder
The Pill Reminder is a gadget that comes with a digital alarm and containers that will hold your medication. The elderly might be forgetful sometimes, and if they always forget when they should take their medications, then it becomes a problem. Hence, the pill reminder was designed as a reminder for when it’s time to take their medications.
This is especially true when there is no caregiver around to monitor them. Some models of smartphones also come with in-built medication alarms. You can also check out the pill reminder app on the Play Store.
Factors to Consider when Providing Gadgets for Elderly People
1. Safety
It is of utmost importance to consider how safe a gadget is. Safety precautions are not exclusively for the elderly with known physical and health challenges, but a must for everybody.
2. User-Friendliness
The gadgets should be user-friendly and not hard to learn or get used to, even for less tech-savvy elderly men and women.
3. Interests
The reason for the gadget must be known. Is the gadget for special needs, everyday use or for fun? The answer to these questions will determine what kind of gadget to provide and how well it will be appreciated by the elderly.
4. Health Status
Is the elderly indisposed? Will the availability of a gadget help them with a specific health condition that limits their use of physical functions? If not, then it would be of no use.
5. Cost
The high cost of some of these gadgets may limit their availability to the elderly. Some of the elderly do not have sufficient funds to purchase the needed gadgets and may be less inclined to stress themselves over what they cannot control.
Therefore, gadgets must be tailored to suit specific needs and purposes.
These factors, however, should not be limited to the elderly and care providers alone. Manufacturers should optimize their knowledge of the challenges faced by the elderly and tailor their products and services to cover all weak spots.
The Importance of Gadgets for Elderly People
The importance of gadgets for the elderly cannot be overemphasized, especially gadgets that help with day-to-day activities. The right gadgets can:
- Reduce stress for the elderly.
- Improve the standard of living of the elderly.
- Help maintain contact with the outside world.
- Reduce the isolation and helplessness of the elderly.
The Impact of Technology on Gadgets for Elderly People
The presence of technology and the current availability of gadgets have made life easier and enhanced the ability of strong and healthy elderly men and women to retain their independence. The elderly affected by age-related diseases stand a lot to gain, from the carefully modeled and constructed gadgets aimed at helping them with physical impediments to those aimed at helping them with memory loss.
Diseased or not, the elderly are being given another shot at life. Also, they have the opportunity to live life to the fullest without feeling like a burden. Furthermore, they can officially retire from their workplaces and still enjoy life without feeling abandoned or being written off as just “old and helpless.”
Last Words
In conclusion, the gadgets listed above are just a few of the many amazing and easy gadgets for elderly people. These gadgets may not be easily accessible to all elderly men and women, but they have been proven to be helpful and useful nonetheless. So, there might be cases where a home nurse or caregiver will be necessary, and they might need to have Alzheimer’s training for caregivers. Still, if they’re also versed in how to use some of this technology, it could significantly improve the quality of care provided to elderly patients.
As we wrap up, embracing the emergence of gadgets for elderly people is one in a million steps towards having satisfied and independent elderly men and women who would see old age as a gift and not a curse. These gadgets are sure to enable them to achieve their dreams even in old age.
