Because today's society is becoming digital, it's possible that parents and grandparents may have questions regarding technological advancements. Check out these 10 suggestions for teaching elders how to utilize technology before you pay a visit to your elderly parents or grandparents.
When introducing new technological concepts, it is important to build on current expertise. Making a comparison between a new technological idea and something the senior is already familiar with will make it simpler for them to grasp the notion. When compared to street addresses, online addresses, for example, are similar. Due of the similarity between web navigation and traversing streets, this helps users better comprehend how web navigation works.
Before going into depth, explain why this is important. Explain how the senior could benefit from utilizing the device before getting into the mechanics of how to utilize today's popular item. Starting with pictures of their grandchildren, especially if they haven't seen them in a while, is an excellent way to introduce someone new to Facebook. It is likely that once people realize how quickly and effortlessly the photographs are available, they will be more patient with the process of creating an account and perusing their news feed.
Avoid using technical terms and speak in a consistent manner. Despite the fact that emoji and selfie are commonly used in today's society, keep in mind that seniors may not be familiar with these terms. Many technology-related words may be foreign to older citizens. When there are numerous words that may be used to describe something, select the simplest choice and be consistent with your usage of those terms.
Keep an eye on your speed. Although it may seem simple, it is critical not to introduce a senior to technology in a rushed manner. Allow them to take a breather between each stage to allow them to assimilate what they've just learned. If you're not sure if you're moving too rapidly or not, you might ask the senior how they feel about the current speed of things.
Reiterate the most important topics. Seniors who are discovering technology for the first time might quickly become overwhelmed by the sheer amount of new knowledge they are taking in. Reiterating key themes will make them simpler to recall and will emphasize the most significant points from the presentation.
Make sure you schedule regular time for asking inquiries. Before moving on to new topics, make sure you schedule time for inquiries on an ongoing basis. Seniors who do not feel comfortable expressing a question since there is no established time for doing so may feel unable to do so. It may be helpful to schedule a set time for inquiries so that they feel more comfortable. As a result, you will have a better understanding of which ideas require further study time.
Allow the inhabitant to actively practice his or her new technological abilities. Although it may be tempting to step in and assist a senior who is having difficulty navigating their gadget, the time saved in the near term will not help them achieve good learning results. Seniors must participate actively in the learning process when it comes to new technology so that they may acquire acclimated to the tactile subtleties involved in tapping, clicking, and pushing buttons.
Instruct them to seek out senior-specific technical resources. Encourage the senior to take advantage of senior technology tools in between your visits. Make sure they understand how to use online resources like as TechBoomers and AARPTek, which provide great free tech training that are tailored exclusively to the needs of seniors.
Validate their expressions of befuddlement, but reaffirm that they are capable of and want to learn. The fact that seniors have had more life experiences means that they are accustomed to being more educated and competent in the majority of their activities. Given that they may not have been novices in years, make careful to acknowledge the hardship of learning technology for the first time when they voice dissatisfaction. Remind them that learning something new is always difficult, but that with time and practice, it will get easier. It may also be beneficial to discuss any issues or misunderstanding you've had in the past when learning technology.
Seek for "wow" moments whenever possible. It's easy for those who use technology on a daily basis to lose sight of how fantastic it truly is. Consider providing opportunities for seniors to be amazed by technology, such as showing them their childhood home on Google Earth or FaceTiming with a close friend they haven't seen in years. Their engagement with technology will increase as they learn more about the great things that technology allows them to accomplish, which will make mastering it a breeze.
