Useful technology for the 55-plus crowd
| Devices to aid in health and wellness
Today’s 55-plus people live in a technologically-enabled world — one where clever and helpful tech products can make their lives easier, safer, and more connected to family and friends. But this same technology can also be overwhelming to some seniors, which is why CARP (formerly the Canadian Association of Retired Persons) holds Technology for Zoomers workshops, a zoomer (according to Moses Znaimer, founder of ZoomerMedia Ltd.) being a “baby boomer with zip.”
Fifty Montreal CARP zoomers turned up for such a workshop at the Lester B. Pearson School Board head office in Dorval on Jan. 26. They got handson help with popular consumer tech devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptop computers.
“There is a growing interest as well as need to educate the 55-plus crowd on the limitless apps and conveniences associated with tablet technology,” said Lee Royko, vice-chair of CARP Chapter 17. “A key advantage is that it is touch technology versus keyboards which in the past seemed to be a barrier to many people on using devices. The intuitive interface has leaped into the forefront and as a result more zoomers are adopting these devices.”
When employed to their full potential, smartphones, tablets and laptop/ desktop computers can help the 55-plus demographic stay in touch with the people they love, remain engaged with society and its ever-changing trends, and feel part of the world around them. But technology can do more than help seniors stay connected; it can extend their independence, and enhance their control of their lives.
Sandra Robbins knows all about technology for the 55-plus. She is founder and operator of Marnau Corp. (www. marnau.ca), a Montreal seller of adaptive products.
“Physical abilities vary from person to person and are not always age-related,” Robbins said. “At Marnau, we offer products for challenges relating to dexterity, mobility, hearing loss, and vision limitation. Our complete line also includes exercising devices and medication management tools.”
A look through Marnau’s website reveals some highly useful products for the 55-plus consumer. Among the most useful are telephones with oversized buttons for easy reading and access. Some allow the senior to identify the pre-programmed numbers of family and friends using photos mounted in the buttons.
In the same vein, the Flipper Simple Remote takes the hassle out of too-complex remote controls by offering a simple on/off button, two pairs of buttons to turn the volume up and down, or surf up and down the channel lineup — and nothing else.
Marnau’s electronics include a device that allows printed text to be scanned by a mouse-like camera and shown on a TV screen, clock radios with large numerals that can also announce the time or shake the sleeper awake as needed, and a Bluetooth-connected wireless TV-listening headset for the hearing impaired.
The company also offers wrist-worn GPS locators for Alzheimer’s/dementia patients, to help caregivers find individuals “who have cognitive challenges and tend to wander,” Robbins said.
As well, Marnau sells the Cadex Medication Reminder Watch with 12 daily alarms, to help those who have to take a lot of medications stay on top of their dosages.
All told, the technology options for the 55-plus go far beyond keeping up with Facebook. When properly selected and employed, they can address a senior’s pressing needs in the areas of communications and engagement, health and wellness, safety and security, and learning and contribution.
According to Laurie Orlov, founder of the Aging in Place Technology Watch website (www.ageinplacetech.com), these categories “fit together in our lives like a puzzle. Together they are the ele- ments of supporting us in our quest for successful aging.”
As shown on www.marnau.ca, some of these assistive elements are quite clever, yet simple; long-handled extensions for men’s and women’s razors, for example, or one-handed shirt buttoners, and magnified toenail clippers. Others are impressively high-tech, such as talking wrist watches, compression pumps to improve blood circulation in the feet and legs, and answering machines that allow the listener to slow a message’s playback speed for greater intelligibility.
The 55-plus consumer should also consider items such as “cool touch microwave bowls” to prevent burns, and “chair lifters” to help seniors get out of soft chairs easily, said Peter Eusanio. He is president of Comfort Keepers (www. comfortkeepers.ca), a provider of inhome care solutions for seniors.
“The most common problem facing seniors is living with arthritis,” Eusanio said. Simple tech solutions — such as devices to open jars and to make doorknobs easier to grip — can make a big difference.
The bottom line: There is a wealth of technology available to make life better for the older person, from touchscreen tablets to big-button phones and wearable GPS locators.
As the recent CARP workshop indicated, seniors are eager to embrace those products and use them to their full potential.