technology
People in their 20s, 30s and 40s are
increasingly worried about their use of
technology, especially social media. You
point out that older people, however,
are finding it useful insofar as mental
stimulation is concerned.
That’s right. There are some more traditional
activities that people are now doing online
– whether that’s games or activities that
are stimulating for the brain – and they
might be doing that with other people or
just by themselves. It’s tapping into those
interests of the past, like card games and
board games.
But older people are also engaging in
newer activities and testing their brain
and really driving that stimulation. That’s
something which they are getting more
and more comfortable with. And there are
different platforms that people can use to
engage with those activities – whether it’s
on a desktop computer, an iPad or a phone.
People are accessing those different options
to play those games and to engage with
those activities because they are finding
them stimulating and enjoyable.
A more practical observation concerns
security, such as how these devices can
alert caregivers about emergencies.
The different sorts of devices that are
emerging and the design of those devices
are breaking down some of the barriers that
people had about wearable technology.
They’re starting to overcome the stigma of
having to wear a safety or security device,
rather than the old pendant-style necklaces
and things. Now it’s a watch, or even rings,
and so on that are more palatable for
people to wear.
The sophistication of this monitoring and
recording technology provides peace of
Healthy
returns
mind for caregivers. And that underpinning
peace of mind and security also supports
people’s independence.
It’s another example where technology
companies are putting a lot more time
and research into the design of both the
devices and the applications that go along
with them.
As a result, we’re seeing people more
engaged with those options, which is great.
Of course, while we don’t want this
technology to be seen as a replacement
for interpersonal relationships, there is
increasing value in these technologies and
platforms to assist personal support.
How do we get people more engaged
with technology to feel these benefits?
There are a couple of things. One is certainly
increased information and awareness about
some of the simpler options in engaging
with technology.
There are small steps people can take.
There are some good free resources, and
often a great starting point is the local
council or library. There you’ll find resources
you can play with, if you like, and start to
develop a degree of confidence.
Part of that increased awareness is also
hearing from older generations themselves,
as far as the way they’re using technology
and how they’re using it. That is, I think, an
important step.
For providers and others involved with
delivering services to older people and
interacting with the different communities,
it’s showcasing the opportunities and the
value of different technology and the way in
which they can be used quite easily.
There’s a number of different areas
that people can benefit from technology.
The first step is trying to knock down the
Straightforward
investment
options
barriers that some people have in regard
to engaging and utilising different forms
of technology.
This work is part of your new book,
Booming: A Life-Changing Philosophy
for Ageing Well. What are some other
tenets of your new philosophy, or what
are some of the other ways that elder
Australians should look to improve the
way they live?
Planning is a big one in terms of looking to
your future, both short and longer term,
and identifying the things that are really
important to you. This could be activities
and interests, certainly relationships, and
prioritising those things you’re passionate
about and that are important to you.
By planning, we can maintain greater
control of our later lives. That’s a big one
I try to emphasise in the book, and it also
The sophistication
of this monitoring and
recording technology
provides peace of mind
for caregivers.
relates to maintaining a sense of purpose.
That sense of purpose – being engaged with
life – is great way of avoiding the isolation
and loneliness we touched on before.
The things that are going to motivate us,
the things that are going to energise us,
and how we best contribute to our families,
to our communities, and so on, are really
valuable to use as we progress through
later life. ■
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