I am a bit late to the whole streaming of music and films. Funnily I was the same with email back in 1997, believe it or not I didn’t see the need for it! I used to be a bit resistant to change but then embraced it fully. The same can be said for the elderly who are using technology like ipads to maintain their quality of life.
Since becoming self employed I have discovered spotify and pay from the premium service as I don’t like the adverts. This Christmas I bought Lee the Amazon Echo, because I wanted it! It gives me a flash news briefing plus plays my music and logs my appointments in the calendar. We spent much of Christmas all issuing different commands to poor Alexa. We were testing it’s music knowledge, asking it tell us jokes and seeing what it’s general knowledge is like. Put it this way I wouldn’t mind Alexa on my team during a pub quiz!
In addition to us young ones, technology has made a difference to the elderly and gives them the tools to live better. My grandad has always embraced technology he installed CCTV for his home years ago. We used to stand on his driveway and dance about whilst my nan and grandad watched uss on their TV – we thought it was brilliant!
My grandad is 93 years young and last year he bought his first iPad. We showed him how to Facetime and how to download books onto his device. It is not surprising when I hear Erin chatting away to her great grandad via Facebook. It is a lovely way for them to communicate. He is also quite deaf and Facetime works better than the phone for him now. In the afternoon he sits and reads to pass the hours. I can also send him photos of all the grandchildren which makes his day. Actually he is probably the blogs most loyal reader (waves hello) and watches all our YouTube Vlogs The ipad is a great tool for the elderly and it is simple and intuitive for them to use. My grandad can book his GP appointments online and check his bank – it has given him more freedom.
The Alexa could also be a great tool for the elderly if they connect their heating or lighting to it. Many of us like coming into a warm home and the Alexa is ideal for making your home smart. Every Sunday my grandad spends the day at mum and dad’s having Sunday lunch. It would be perfect, then, that when dad brings him home that we use the smart home features to turn hiss lights and heating on. Therefore when he walks in the door his home is cosy and ready for him.
Many also love that you can manage your shopping through Alexa as the elderly may have given up their cars and not have easy access to supermarkets. Especially when they want heavy things delivered.
There is so much more about now that can make lives easier. If you help care and support your elderly relatives think about what can make their everyday life easier and more social. Loneliness is a real issue and technology can help fix that. Obviously it is no replacement for calling in for a cuppa which is what I also do every week. But technology can help and places like Ability Superstore may have solutions to some of the problems your family are experiencing.
