10 technical tips for the elders: how to master your devices

Do not let your age prevent you from staying connected.


The rapid rate of today of technological advance would be unrecognizable for people from the past of centuries. At the time, the skills you have acquired in childhood or the young adult would generally serve you throughout your life. On the other hand, as current technologies quickly become obsolete, many elderly people find it difficult to follow the endless list of new technological gadgets, applications and features.

THE World Economic Forum illustrates how different things are today. "It took our ancestors 2.4 million years to control the fire and use it for cooking, but 66 years to go from the first flight to humans landing on the moon", now the new advances in AI have The ability to revolutionize technology at a rate previously seen in human history, they note. In other words, if the pace of the new technology seems dizzying, you are not alone - even the creators of these emerging technologies seem to learn as you go.

That said, there are big gains to master your devices rather than abandoning technology as you age. "Patience is the key," said Jacob Kalvo , co-founder and CEO Live proxies . "Technology is evolving quickly, and it is common to feel overwhelmed. Do not forget that control takes time, and it is perfectly normal to learn at your own pace. Insistence in your approach will remove a large part of stress which supports the learning of new technologies. "

Ready to revolutionize your technological use and master your devices? These are the best tips that experts recommend that the elderly informs.

In relation: 5 stores that offer a discount for the elderly and when shopping .

1
Start small.

 man and woman on couch looking at a tablet together
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If you feel completely out of your technology comfort zone, there is absolutely no shame to start with the basics.

"Regarding the elderly who have the impression of taking a technologically delay, my first advice would be to adopt a device at a time," suggests Kalvo. "Start with a device that you should use most often - like a smartphone or tablet. Familiarize yourself with its basic functions before moving on to more advanced features. This helps strengthen confidence and reduce overtaking."

Eric Palm , president of the Internet Mobile company Simo , should be better to start small. He recommends starting by familiarizing yourself with the basic functions of the device, such as understanding how to activate and turn it off, connect to Wi-Fi and adjust the parameters, all that You can find in the user manual. "This will give you a better understanding of its features and how to use them effectively," he said.

2
Personalize your technology.

man in a yellow sweater smiling as he looks at his phone while sitting on the couch
Prostock-Studio / Shutterstock

Personalizing your technology may seem an advanced step, but simple changes in your settings can make devices much more accessible to the elderly, says Kalvo. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

"Many seniors may not realize how customizable technology can be," says Kalvo. "Smartphones, tablets and computers have various parameters that can improve readability, such as text widening and screen contrast adjustments. These parameters are invaluable to make devices more accessible and easier to use" , he said Better life.

Taking a moment to set up facial recognition or fingerprint authentication can also save you time and long -term efforts.

3
Take advantage of the tutorials.

Senior students working on project on laptop in classroom.
Dropout

There are many resources to help the elderly control their devices, which is why Kalvo recommends taking advantage of the tutorials or the workshops that you can find in your region or online.

"Many community centers, libraries and even technological stores offer classes that are punctuated for learning for the elderly. These classes cover everything, basic operations to specific applications such as video calls and the use of social media" , he said.

Zarik Megerdichien , founder and CEO of the company of personal confidentiality controller Loop8 , should that these resources tend to be underused. "Visit your local library for more information, ask your city or your town hall if they offer tech lessons for adults and ask if your county has a senior center that provides resources like these "He suggests.

In relation: 10 home upgrades you should do if you are over 65, say the experts .

4
Keep a technological newspaper as you go.

senior woman taking cognitive test for dementia
Gligatron / Shutterstock

Regarding master's technology, there is a multitude of information that you will have to process and remember. Kalvo says that holding a technological newspaper can be a useful way to make sure you keep what you have learned.

"Stages writing for the processes you have learned, noting how to solve common problems, or even keep track of passwords (in a secure place) can act as a personal reference guide when memory fails", he urges.

5
Ask someone who is notified of the technology to help you help out.

Senior man and mature daughter smiling and looking at laptop at home.
Dropout

Even if you easily take your technology, it is inevitable that you run into a wall at a given time. When this happens, do not give up all the progress you have made, says Megerdichian. Instead, he recommends recycling a technical advisor - someone who can answer your questions on occasion, help you solve problems or sniff scams.

"Identify a confidence friend or a family member that you can ask for help when you are not sure of the validity of a request for personal information," he recommends.

6
Use technology to teach you.

youtube tab pulled up on computer screen
Juliuskielaitis / Shutterstock

There are also many online resources to help you master your technology, notes Megerdichian.

"Nowadays, there are YouTube videos that can instruct viewers on all imaginable skills. Often, a video can explain technology and solve technical problems better than written language, because it offers a verbal instruction and demonstration And visual, "he said. "Remember that you can also also get help from Siri or Alexa."

7
Use it to connect.

older couple sitting outside on a bench using a tablet
Dropout

Making the fun learning process can help you motivate you, says Kalvo. This is why he recommends using technology to connect with family and friends.

"This does not only provide a practical way to train to use new technologies, but also makes the process more pleasant. For example, learn to send emails or messages, or make video calls can be motivated by the Desire to stay in touch with dear beings "," he says.

8
Practice good internet safety.

person resetting password on phone and computer
KT Stock Photos / Shutterstock

The practice of good internet safety can also assure you that you have a good experience with your devices. Kalvo says that it is important to inquire about the basic practices of cybersecurity - in particular, "understand how to create strong passwords, recognize joint scams and frauds targeting the elderly and knowing how to sail in complete safety on the Internet are essential skills. "

Megerdichian is appropriate for many elderly people to hesitate to embrace new technology for fear of preying violations and privacy scams. "There is a good reason for this because the scams targeting the elderly are widespread," he said.

To minimize your risks, it recommends protecting your passwords and your digital imprint. "Cookies collect data on each online website that we visit. If we leave it, they will store our personal information, including passwords, credit card numbers, physical addresses, etc. whenever You use a public computer, "he advises.

And, always think twice before giving personal information. "If in doubt, do not give it," says Megerdichien, noting that your date of birth and your social security number should generally be kept private unless you completely trust the site. "Questioning each request for this private information to ensure that it is necessary to disclose," he recommends.

9
Get a personal hotspot.

Senior woman smiling when using a smartphone.
istock

Palm notes that you should also avoid using non-beaten networks when you travel: "Avoid public Wi-Fi because of its unsecured nature, making you vulnerable to data theft and identity fraud. If you Must use it, be careful of the selection network and use a VPN for more security.

He adds that for safer navigation on the move, you should consider using a personal Wi-Fi hotspot which can provide secure connectivity.

10
Never assume that you are too old to adopt technology.

Couple doing an at-home spa while face-timing
Dropout

Finally, when you are ready to adopt a new technology, it is important to let your age bias go, says Burton Kelso , owner and technological chief expert at Integral .

"You may think that technology is only for young people because it seems that children can take a device and use it instantly. The main reason why children seem to excel in technology? They are intrepid and continue to hit the pimples Until outside, "he said.

Kelso notes that he worked with a client who was 101 years old and saw first -hand how anyone can develop technological skills at any age: "They are able to use Facetime, to send text messages in both directions, and to set up and use their intelligent television. "

Kelso highlights the importance of getting out of your state of mind that if you do something wrong on your technological device, you will break it. "The technological devices are quite robust, so you will need a lot to break your devices," he said.


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