New Tech Gadgets for Seniors

Last Updated on January 24, 2024 by Rachel

Older adults (50 +) produce $7.6 trillion in economic activity, making the group vital when it comes to economic progress. The number of the elderly is expected to double by 2050, making up more than 20% of the population. Older adults want to remain active and independent as they continue aging. Let’s face it – technology is very essential for seniors to realize these goals. With the continuous advancement in technology, seniors can have access to new game-changing tech gadgets to enhance their lives. Budget-friendly devices provide the elderly with breakthrough solutions to their daily-life problems.

Smartphones for Older Adults

When buying a smartphone for a senior loved one, there are certain things to keep in mind. While smartphones enhance the lives of the elderly, they are not always the easiest to use – and it’s usually a problem to get used to a new operating system. How do you pick the right smartphone for a senior? Well, first, one should ask if the older adult needs the smartphone. While some of the elderly appreciate the idea of staying connected with family, and friends, and updated, other seniors prefer a phone that can simply make a call or text someone when they are in need.

When it comes to the size of the smartphone, some seniors prefer devices with a larger screen that allow them to magnify a text – especially those with limited vision. One should also consider whether a senior loved one is suffering from hearing problems when buying them a smartphone.

Easy-to-use smartphones for the elderly include:

• Jitterbug Smart 3: Invented by Lively, Jitterbug Smart 3 is designed to fulfill seniors’ smartphone needs, including an easy-to-use interface and easily accessible emergency services. With a 6.22-inch display, Jitterbug Smart 3’s larger screen allows seniors to easily see the icons and read messages.
• Grandpa: This smartphone comes with a wireless cradle, and with it, the elderly don’t have to worry about struggling with the usual MicroUSB cables. This phone was created to improve the lives of older adults as they no longer need to worry about control. The phone comes with a companion app, and the elderly can easily contact their loved ones and share files just like they would with other devices. Once charged, the smartphone stays active for 1-3 days.

Other smartphones one can consider while exploring the market include the Light Phone 2, Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, and iPhone 13 series. While these are not specifically made for older adults, they come with simple features and seniors can quickly learn how they operate.

Smartwatches for Seniors

When buying a smartwatch for a senior, one should consider emergency services and accessibility, which confirms that the device is easy to operate. Accessibility also ensures that the watch’s screen is large enough and that seniors with poor vision can see the icons and the buttons. Emergency support features ensure that the watches have a fall detection that automatically reaches out to immediate contacts during emergencies. One must also keep in mind, the usability and battery life. Some of the smartwatches one can get for a senior loved one include:

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 3: Specifically designed for seniors, this smartwatch has a fall detection feature – and can send and receive messages. It is available in 2 sizes and has LTE support with a cell plan. This watch also comes with smart support that includes details for fitness and health. See features at https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Bluetooth-Advanced-monitoring-Tracking/dp/B089DPMDNM.
• Apple Watch Series 4: This smartwatch for the elderly also comes with a fall detector that can call immediate contacts and emergency services in case it’s needed. It is also water-resistant, making it one of the best smartwatches for seniors. Read more at https://support.apple.com/kb/SP778.
• Fitbit Blaze Smartwatch for Seniors: This smartwatch is water-resistant, has a long battery life (up to 5 days once charged), and it features notification push alerts, making it one of the best health watches for older adults. Find out more at https://www.fitbit.com/blaze/blaze-101.

Pill Dispenser

Taking medication as prescribed is a problem for many seniors – and the only solution is getting your loved one an automatic pill dispenser to enhance their wellbeing. Automatic pill dispensers help arrange and manage medications – and since most seniors take multiple drugs daily, maintaining the routine can sometimes be overwhelming to older adults. There are different types of pill dispensers that seniors can choose from – and one should only consider certain factors when shopping. They include:

• Pill organizers: These kinds of dispensers are divided into different sections, depending on the number of medications taken in a day. There are others divided into numerous times of the day, including morning, afternoon, evening, and night. One can opt for a monthly or a weekly pill organizer, depending on their medication needs.
• Pill Boxes with Alarms Dispensers: These operate like pill organizers, but they come with alarms that seniors can set to remind them when it’s time to take their pills.
• Automatic Pill Dispenser: This dispenser is made to help older adults manage medications and reduce possible errors. It is a digitally programmed system that alerts the user when it is time to take medication and release the exact quantity of drugs at the prescribed times of the day.

Sagely Smart Weekly Pill Organizer, MedCenter System Monthly Pill Organizer, MedELert Automatic Pill Dispenser, and MedReady 1700 Medication Dispenser are some of the best in the market.

Apple Air Pods

Apple air pods are devices best suited for older adults with hearing problems who can’t have access to or wear hearing aids. It is wireless and helps amplify sound – and it comes with a Live Listen feature, which allows seniors to position their iPhones near the person they have trouble listening to. Seniors or their loved ones can download the new operating system once they purchase the apple AirPods and then enable the Live Listen feature. They can then put on the microphone on their iPhones. Learn more at https://www.apple.com/ke/airpods/.

GPS SmartSole

Sealed and hidden inside a shoe insole, this is a tracking device specifically designed for older adults suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease or Dementia as they have the habit of wandering and might get lost on the way.  The device uses GPS and cellular connectivity to inform caregivers of the elderly about the location updates by sending it to the GTX Corp Monitoring System, which then sends an alert to the online account of the caregiver. https://www.gpssmartsole.com/products/gps-smartsole?selling_plan=3072164084&variant=42783777587444 provides more information.