The issue of raising awareness and training seniors in the use of smart devices has never been as acute in our contemporary societies as it is today. Indeed, the invention of smartphones and, in the wake of them, other connected objects, has contributed to further widening the gap of incomprehension that separates the over-60s from the following generations. This is all the more paradoxical since many innovations are based on these objects to improve their daily lives. So, how can we raise awareness and train seniors in the use of smart devices so that they can benefit from these various advantages?
Why are seniors not very aware of the use of smart devices?
Before thinking about raising awareness among seniors about the use of smart devices, it is important to understand why this awareness has not already taken place. There are several reasons for this. First, their way of understanding daily life has become anchored far from connected objects, to which they have had little exposure throughout their entire lives. Second, the speed with which technologies are now evolving is enough to confuse people who would have missed the first train.
This results in a certain intimidation for seniors who would consider taking an interest in these smart devices. Above all, a certain form of reluctance exists, among members of this specific population, as to the opportunity to appropriate new ways of communicating and managing information. However, seniors would reap many benefits from using an easy-to-use connected watch for the elderly distributed by a company that, like Doro, would have specialized in intuitive smart devices.
What are the benefits that seniors would get from training in connected objects?
Indeed, new technologies also serve to better monitor seniors, as well as to ensure that they monitor themselves better to gain autonomy. Thus, the combined use of an easy-to-use smartphone and a connected watch designed for them would allow them to gain valuable room for maneuver. With a little training, seniors could use it to, for example, better monitor their state of health.
Because the combination we are talking about allows real-time access to a rich set of data, such as heart rate. Valuable information when it comes to anticipating early anomalies. Seniors could also use this connected watch when they go out, to monitor distance traveled and calorie consumption, or even remind themselves via an alarm system that it is time to take this or that medication. Seniors still need to be trained in the use of smart devices.
How can we enable seniors to make this beneficial transition?
Also, various means must be implemented so that seniors can take hold of these new technological trends in care and health. A first set of measures is of course played out at the political level since it would not be useless to see awareness campaigns take over from the speeches of companies. But this is not up to us as people who are particularly concerned about our own loved ones.
On the other hand, we can each on our own raise awareness among seniors about the use of smart devices by highlighting the advantages described and by providing them with easy-to-use objects ourselves to demonstrate them to them. For example, some smartwatches have very sensitive touch screens and are therefore suitable for limited dexterity. They also have simple interfaces and intuitive designs, so their use would not be prevented by reduced vision or complex menus. The trick now is to be sufficiently persuasive.
