Screen time often gets a bad rap but in truth, modern technology can be incredibly helpful to seniors. In addition to personal safety devices like fall detection sensors and emergency response systems, tech can be used for communication, following the news, managing tasks and of course, games and entertainment. And, research has shown that the latter isn’t just about fun—playing games can actually help improve and maintain cognitive function.
Innovation has opened many doors, and seniors should take advantage of the tools that are available to them. Here are three ways to use technology to keep seniors mentally active, engaged and entertained at home.
Try brain games
Brain games are a combination of entertainment and cognitive exercise. They’re designed to be fun, but they force the user to think in new ways and respond quickly to cues, clues and obstacles. You can find games that work on any type of personal device (for example, a smartphone, iPad or laptop) and many of these activities are free or inexpensive. Consider trying options like Lumosity, June’s Journey, Spelling Bee, online checkers, chess, Yahtzee or other card games, crossword puzzles (here’s a fun mini version that’s updated daily) and Sodoku. Seniors may even be interested in joining the Wordle craze!
Explore audio entertainment
You may associate the word ‘tech’ with screen time, but audio technology is just as useful. Consider helping your aging loved ones use a device to listen to music, podcasts or an audiobook. Countless podcasts are available on a wide variety of topics, and most are free to listen to on streaming websites. You can make a playlist of your loved one’s favourite songs and add it to their iPod or smartphone. There are also thousands of fantastic books available in recorded form—a great alternative to print or eBooks. Get them on CD or download the files digitally to listen using your favourite personal audio device.
Log on and relax
Some seniors may benefit from trying a relaxation or meditation app. Calm and Headspace are popular options, and this article offers a great overview of both these and similar products. There are sleep-specific podcasts available on many platforms, and you can look up guided meditations on YouTube at no charge. If meditation isn’t something your aging loved one is interested in, encourage them to relax by listening to classical music or another genre that appeals to them. The idea is to promote wellness by supporting relaxation, mindfulness and healthy sleep habits. Bringing tech into the picture may seem counterintuitive, but give it a try—you may be surprised at how much it adds to your loved one’s quality of life! Thanks for reading, and please share this post with anyone who may find it useful.