Social Distancing Lures More Seniors Across the Digital Divide

To find a paradox in senior well-being, we need look no further than today! We know that staying socially connected is vital for the mental health of seniors. And yet, social distancing is the key ingredient to help them avoid the coronavirus.
Not long after social distancing began, we quickly saw news articles about older adults taking to Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, Facebook Messenger and other platforms to keep in touch virtually with children, grandchildren and friends. No, itâs not the same as an in-person visit and a big hugânot by a long shot. But itâs the next best thing, and it comes without the risk of infection.
For this reason, experts report, more older adults than ever are crossing the long-time âdigital divideâ to get online. Theyâre using computers, tablets and smartphones for video chats, email and social networking. Many have gone on Facebook for the first timeâbecause thatâs where family and friends are congregating. Theyâre connecting with their doctors and other providers through telehealth.
And once online, theyâre likely to stay there. Senior tech blogger Lori Orlov muses, âCould the 2020 catastrophe be the catalyst to boost tech use up to 90% among all older adult segments, at home or in senior living, propelling adoption of telehealth forward for older adults?â Many experts say yesâthereâs no looking back.
Are you prepared for digital caregiving?
Many seniors in senior living communities are receiving assistance from staff to communicate with loved ones these daysâprobably only the beginning, predict many experts, who think elder care facilities will be more âwiredâ in the future. But when seniors live at home or in independent senior living, their new embrace of digital communications can be a large addition to the workload of family!
Itâs a myth that seniors arenât computer-savvy. Many are. But many others came late to the game. Formerly intimidated or not interested, theyâve now taken the plungeâand itâs not an easy learning curve! Computer technology is complicated and ever-evolving. Itâs hard enough for many younger people, for whom computers are second nature, to keep up!
âIn a world where many everyday activities have moved online, caregivers face a new challenge: finding a balance between autonomy and protection of care recipients,â said Northwestern University associate professor Anne Marie Piper. âTechnological caregiving is a new form of work. We hear about the physical, financial and social stress of caregiving, but no one ever talks about the burden caregivers feel to keep people active online, which we feel is a fundamental part of participating in society.â
Here are things families should consider as they help older loved ones navigate a new world of connectivity:
Designate a tech-support family member. Maybe youâre not so computer-savvy yourself? Who is your go-to person when something crashes? Perhaps a granddaughter or nephew is particularly skilled â and patient. Ask if they will sign on to help your senior relative. Many intergenerational connections are enriched in this very way. Pick someone who you think can communicate and explain things well.
Choose the right technology for your loved oneâs needs. If youâre selecting a computer, tablet or phone for your loved one, remember that the more bells and whistles the device has, the more intimidating it can be to learn to use it. Buy from a company that can help you make an informed choice. If your loved one has disabilities such as visual impairment or arthritis, learn about hardware and software accessibility features to help them navigate and read. And if youâre the go-to tech support person, having the same operating systems (PC vs. Mac, iPhone vs. Android) is a good idea. The same goes for apps your loved one may be wanting to use, as you may be called upon to help with those.
Suggest that your loved one sign up for an online computer class. Many computer âproblemsâ stem from a userâs unfamiliarity with features of their devices and programs. This is far from a seniors-only challenge, and many organizations and companies offer computer training, but your loved one may be most comfortable in a senior-focused class. Check out the offerings through your local library, senior center, Senior Planet or the AARP. If your loved one lives in a senior living community, ask what they recommend.
Be there when you canât be there. Itâs hard to help when you canât see whatâs happening. With your loved oneâs permission, install remote access software to view and control their computer from afar. (In person or remotely, resist the temptation to overdo it while youâre logged in by making âhelpfulâ changes to their organization system or desktop icons that will be confusing and NOT helpful!)
Create a mini user guide. You have a pretty good idea about what your folks want to do with their devices, and how much they know. As you walk them through the tasks theyâll often be doing, write down step-by-step instructions to serve as a cheat sheet until they have it down, or suggest that they do so.
Be sure their antivirus software is kept up to date. The criminals who create viruses and malware release new ones nonstop, so itâs vital to always have the latest updates to identify and block malicious intrusions. (While youâre at it, warn them about âscarewareââthe ubiquitous fake antivirus programs that pop up and trick users into buying unneeded software or downloading a harmful program.)
Have the safety and security talk. Antivirus software canât ward off all intruders. Just as you install the software, youâll also need to install a bit of skepticism as your loved ones venture online. Warn them about protecting their personal information and to not click on suspicious links. They should know that scammers might hijack a friendâs email ⌠or pretend to be from Microsoft or the IRS or Medicare ⌠or even, in the case of the infamous Grandma Scam, pretend to be you! It can sound pretty scary, but itâs empowering to be in the know. Establish a âno question is too dumbâ policy: Tell them itâs fine to call you if something doesnât seem right.
Call in a professional. If computer help isnât your thing â maybe you need it as much as your loved one does, or you donât have the time or temperament for the task â check out tech support services that charge an hourly rate or an annual subscription fee. These services have been likened to roadside assistance for your computer. Help can be provided in the store, or technicians can remote in to remove a virus, tune up a computer or help with app installation. Some services cater to senior clients, with technicians who are familiar with the learning style of older adults.
Providing tech support for a senior loved one isnât a small thing, as many caregivers know. But it pays off in helping your loved one stay connected and engaged, a huge advantage for your loved one at this time. Itâs truly a labor of love.
Source: IlluminAge AgeWise