The concept of ageism plays a significant role in perceiving that older adults are less mentally and physically competent, incapable of adapting to the latest technology that could otherwise improve their overall health and well-being.
Technology has driven a variety of societal, medical, and technical trends which has become an integral part of people’s daily lives. There is no denying how technology enhances and closes the gaps in the healthcare delivery system. However, there are still roadblocks that need to be considered and addressed for seniors using technology.
Therefore, it is only necessary to examine the ways in which these barriers can impact the older adults,
What are the Top 5 Challenges for Seniors Using Technology?
Older adults face several barriers in adapting to new technologies. These include the following:
1. Physical limitations
Two out of five older adults have physical conditions and health issues that aggravate the difficulties for seniors using technology.
a. Manual Dexterity
These are the medical conditions that limit an individual’s functionality, such as chronic pain and arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, Dementia, etc. These disorders put the person at risk of physical vulnerability and prevent them from engaging in daily activities or from tinkering hand-held mobile devices or desktops.
b. Visual Impairments
Visual functions decrease as people age. The change in visual acuity or the ability to see details decelerate after the age of 50. The age-related changes in colour vision and contrast sensitivity makes older adults have more trouble with the small details, distance perception and estimating the speed of moving objects.
2. Keeping up with the change
Many older adults respond to technological change with scepticism and being intimidated. This attitude is often accompanied by self-doubt and anxiety which inhibits them from trying out new technology.
3. Understanding how it works
Like everyone else, older adults learn best with one-on-one and hands-on tutorial. It is best to remember to take a slow and patient approach to teaching older adults in using new gadgets or system to prevent outbursts or frustration.
4. Overwhelming information
The internet has adverse effects. It empowers users with its vast amount of information. However, information overload can get dark and full of terrors for older individuals who are just starting to get familiar with the internet.
5. Needs assistance in learning to use handheld devices and digital services
Aside from the physical and health-related factors that hinder the success of seniors using technology, they will also need help in adapting to a new behaviour of using gadgets and digital tools.
Solving the Challenges with CareVision Technology
Care recipients need not learn new behaviours or adapt to new techniques to enjoy and maximise the CareVision benefits. CareVision offers multiple ways for older people to interact with the platform, from as simple and familiar as turning their CareVision TV on, to talking to a smart speaker or using a tablet designed for the needs of older people. We have long researched and studied user interface requirements that will give a positive experience for the older adults. Aside from the simple yet systematic interface, care recipients are guaranteed to become engage with our solution, the television. With just a touch of the remote button, care recipients are taken to a whole new level of connectedness and a superior resident experience in aged care and home care.
CareVision creates solutions that are tailored to suit the individual needs of consumers and care organisations. We implement a user-friendly interface and simple functions to avoid confusion among older people while allowing them to enjoy the tools CareVision has to offer, such as Mobile Carer Reporting, Specific Service Requests and Waitlists, Health Goal Tracking, and Integrated Health Devices among many others.
Learn more about the CareVision technology by booking a demo today!