Stay Connected: How Technology Bridges the Gap for Seniors

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It is no secret that technology has impacted our lives in many different capacities, from improving the way we communicate to making things easier around the house. What you may not know, however, is that technology can be extremely beneficial to older adults and can help you to stay connected with the world around you. While some seniors might shy away from technology, here at Ciela, our Brentwood senior living community encourages you to embrace it!

Continue reading to learn more about technology and how it can help you to stay plugged in and up to date:

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#1

Easily Communicate with Loved Ones

First and foremost, socialization is very important to senior health. Being able to communicate with your loved ones both near and far can do wonders for helping you to feel your best and stay in positive spirits. This is because isolation and social anxiety are major concerns for older adults, especially those that may have mobility issues or have been diagnosed with dementia.

Here are some helpful tips for using technology to stay in touch with family and friends:

Social Media

Social media is a powerful tool that can connect friends and loved ones from all around the globe. Popular websites include Facebook and Instagram, as these platforms are focused toward sharing information, images, and videos. Chat with a former high school classmate or see the latest pictures from your grandkid’s sporting events. Social media can be a lot of fun and help you to stay informed!

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Video Chat

Talking on the phone is great, but there is nothing better than seeing your loved one’s smiling face in real time! Smart phones, tablets, and computers are all capable of video chatting and most services are available for free. Join in on a birthday celebration from afar or get live video from your great niece’s softball game. Even if you’re across the country, you can feel as though you are right in the middle of it all.

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#2

Play Brain Games

Keeping your mind sharp and active is always encouraged, especially for older adults. While there are many traditional board games you can play and puzzles you can put together, your smartphone or tablet has a whole host of options that you probably never thought of! There are so many great games out there, including sudoku, chess, checkers, solitaire, and the list goes on and on. On top of that, these kinds of games are extremely stimulating to memory care residents.

The benefits aren’t limited to cognitive stimulation, but there is always the social aspect as well. With virtual games, you always have someone to play against, whether it be a friend, another user, or even the artificial intelligence bot. This means that you can stay connected with others and play together, whether they are another resident of our Brentwood senior living community or they are a family member who lives several states away.

#3

Stay Active and Moving

Do you need a little help with getting motivated to be active and moving? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! In fact, there are so many different ways that technology can assist you with this. For example, there are apps that help you to stay on top of your exercise routine, log how much water you drink every day, and even will play your favorite songs while you’re out on a walk or jog. It doesn’t stop there, though! Technology can be used in so many different ways:

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Smart Watches

Other than an app on your phone, investing in a smart watch is another great idea. You can wear it all the time to log your daily steps, track how much sleep you got, and even use it as a way to keep tabs on how many minutes you're active every day. Some devices even have features such as showing you your heart rate and oxygen levels. This type of health data can be invaluable to seniors.

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Exercise Videos

Here at Ciela, our Brentwood senior living community has many amazing amenities that encourage seniors to be active. We offer courses in yoga, strength training, and more! However, if you want to keep things more low key and exercise in the comfort of your own luxury apartment, pulling up an exercise video on your phone or laptop is an excellent choice! There are many different instructional videos available out there from certified trainers who can help you to improve your mobility and flexibility as well as just stay overall in top shape.

#4

Up to Date with Current Events

Being plugged in and up to date on technology allows you to also be aware of what is going on in the world around you. Thanks to the internet, you can easily have access to thousands of different news outlets from all across the globe. Whether you want to know about an election happening within your current city or you are curious about a human interest piece from another continent, technology can assist you with that.

Keep in mind that you can also subscribe to these news outlets to ensure that you never miss a thing. Push notifications will be sent straight to your device meaning that you can follow along with updates in real time and always be among the first to receive breaking news. If staying on top of what’s going on around you is important, don’t wait to get the news from tomorrow’s newspaper.

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