10 minute read
Look who’s Teching
By Ian Greenland
I bought my father a digital camera about three year ago to photograph the model vehicles he builds and paints in his retirement. We ran through the basic controls together when we unboxed it and he quickly mastered the basic settings for taking pics. Transferring them to the computer though?... not so much. He’s never
liked computers. Despite tutoring him in this relatively straightforward operation (plug in, double click on the folder that pops up, drag the photos onto the desktop, unplug.... give or take), I received a call days later asking once more how it was done. Attempting to guide him through the operation this time from 80 miles away, you’d have thought I was talking a terrified passenger through emergency landing a 747. Let’s just say tension ran high (mostly on his end of the line). We gave up before this mild-mannered septuagenarian put a keyboard through a monitor or a monitor through a window (trying to think of a joke about computers and Windows crashing here but it was an Apple Mac so that would be disingenuous....) With my father now highly agitated, I promised to demonstrate it again next time I visited. A few weeks later, I did just that with apparent (though fleeting) success. Days later, the call came in once again...
Once again, I tried to talk him through the process and once again, the neighbours must’ve thought my lovely stepmum was having vile abuse hurled at her when really it was Steve Jobs (RIP... and equally blameless).
This scenario Groundhog Day’d itself for several months until we finally came up with a simple, elegant solution. I filmed myself completing the exact procedure, accompanying my actions with a deliberately calm, concise and not remotely patronising narration. Inside I admit I was screaming, but there’s an inheritance at play here ;-)
I emailed the short clip to him and told him if he ever forgot again, to just rewatch this video and copy the steps. THIS. WAS. BULLETPROOF.
It took a 160 mile round trip to teach him how to locate and play the video file.
He’s only had books as presents since.
My father, it seems is at odds not just with modern tech but also an increasing number of his generational peers. Not only is the 65-and-older population growing (U.S. Census Bureau data released this summer shows it’s increased by more than a third since 2010), but according to the AARP’s (American Association of Retired Persons) 2020 tech survey, it appears over 50s are adopting new devices such as smart home tech (TVs, speakers, thermostats, utility meters...), wearables and smartphones at a similar pace to those cheeky wee, don’t-even-know-they’re-born rascals, the 18-49s.
During the pandemic, many older folk have further embraced new technologies and software as a means to stay connected with friends and family. Skype, Zoom and WhatsApp have been instrumentally important in combatting marginalisation and isolation.
With statistics showing that the 65+ age bracket will constitute roughly a third of the European population within 50 years, it’s become apparent there’s a vast, increasingly tech-savvy, financially solvent demographic the tech industry has all but ignored. With 83% of US wealth now held by people over 50, it’s not a market which was going to stay ignored forever.
The pandemic has further accelerated the uptake of online services and new tech amongst the older generation, and on-the-ball startups have begun to recognise the increased demand for what’s now referred to as “silver tech”. Improved transportation and mobility solutions, virtual connectivity, tailored entertainment and online financial services are all hot tickets right now but the “jackpot” may just be telehealth – Valued at over USD 21 million globally last year and set to reach USD 71 million by 2027, telehealth refers to the provision of healthcare services to users by remote providers. Through ICT (Information and Communication Technology), users can periodically key their vitals into a smart hub or allow devices such as blood pressure readers, pulse oximeters, and blood glucose monitors to automatically sync their findings and transmit them for ongoing analysis, with alerts sent and further action taken where necessary. As with so much of life today, we look for solutions to problems through the aggregation of data and its computation by sophisticated computer algorithms.
Whilst we might find ourselves existentially resistant to healthcare provision by faceless electronic devices, telehealth systems aim to support us in self-managing long term conditions, increasing user independence, reducing the frequency and duration of hospital stays and lowering patient dependency on already-stretched primary health and GP services. Like any break from convention, the emerging system has its naysayers and holdouts, but the colossal financial projections for the industry and the strangely restrictive new world we currently find ourselves in suggest telehealth will (must?) be widely embraced.
Research conducted by the McKinsey Global Institute indicates the percentage of consumers interested in telehealth jumped from just 11% in 2019 to 76% postpandemic. Ultimately, as those statistically greatest affected by health issues, it’s the older generation who stand to gain most from any advantages new tech might offer over traditional healthcare provisions.
Whether it’s drone parcel delivery, health and wellbeing monitoring apps and devices or autonomous (driverless) vehicles, as seniors increasingly embrace forms of silver tech (regardless of what they think of the name!) and the stock market takes note, their growing participation in the digital and electronic realm catalyses ever more investment in the types of innovations which could ultimately change the world for people of all ages.
In short, respect your elders!
I’m still only getting him books though...
Gadgets Senior SUPER
GrandPad
This tablet is specifically designed for older adults. With larger icons and easy-to-use screen, the GrandPad makes it simpler for seniors to video chat with loved ones, share photos, and stay connected. Family members can even adjust the settings for the GrandPad user through the free GrandPad Companion app. To charge it, just pop it into the charging cradle any way up and it charges, wire-free. The cradle also acts like a convenient stand for the tablet when receiving video calls, so your hand doesn’t ache trying to hold it up.
New technology can be intimidating. It has progressed so rapidly over the past decade that even the younger generations struggle to keep up. However, behind the buzzwords and marketing hype, there are some genuinely useful gadgets that make everyday life easier, safer, and more entertaining. We have rounded up six of the top techy gadgets for 2021 that are highly rated for older adults and easy to use. Even if you’re not a ‘techy’ person, you may love these useful inventions.
Trackers
Always losing your keys? Now you can stick a tracker to it and never lose items again. The Tile Pro is a durable tracker that makes easy work of finding your valuable items like keys, bags, phones, hearing aids, glasses, or even the TV remote. It has a 400ft bluetooth range and works with your smartphone so you can open the app and tap ‘find’ to locate your items. They come in different shapes and styles so you can find the perfect tile for just about anything.
Smart watch
If we would have said to you 20 years ago that you could monitor your heart rate, activity, and sleep patterns through a little watch, it would have sounded crazy. Now it’s a reality and smart watches like the Fitbit Versa 2 have gone a step further, adding built-in Amazon Alexa to get quick access to news, weather, and music and more just by speaking to your watch. This is great for seniors to stay connected easily and with a 4+ day battery life, there’s no need to worry about charging it every day.
Electronic photo frame
We all love to see precious memories around us, and sometimes there is not enough space to have them all on display. An electronic photo frame like this one from Feelcare, solves this problem by displaying your photos digitally. Every few minutes the photo changes to another treasured moment in high resolution. It can be mounted on the wall or placed on a side, with an easyto-use touch screen to adjust settings and connect to Wi-Fi. Simply download the free app to add and share photos. Family members with the app can also send photos directly to your Feelcare frame. The Alexa Echo Show 8 is one of the most useful, multitasking gadgets available. The ‘drop in’ feature is especially useful, as it lets you check in on vulnerable seniors without them having to pick up the phone to answer your call. Amazon’s Alexa has also partnered with digital health company, Sharecare, so it can answer over 80,000 questions related to healthcare. The list of things that the Alexa Echo Show can do is endless, from reading your eBooks to you, to playing a specific piece of music, or even telling a few jokes.
Noise canceling headphones
Maybe you love complete peace and quiet when you read, or perhaps you love to listen to your favorite music and TV without disturbing anyone else. Either way, these wireless headphones by Artiste are rated best for seniors. They can be used with your smartphone, tablet, and TV to give you crisp, clear sound up to 100ft distance. We also love that these headphones give the ability to adjust the volume on each headphone separately which is excellent for those who have different hearing capabilities in each ear.
Stay in touch
Throughout the recent pandemic we have strived to keep in close contact with all our customers and made sure we are here to support you with anything you need.
It is so important to stick together during these strange times and we work to ensure your comms are as streamlined as possible to allow for flexible remote working.
Chandler Communications is one of the longest established telecommunications companies in the UK. We offer a wide range of services to help businesses stay connected including our VOIP telephone systems to allow users to ‘plug and play’ with their desk phone to remain part of the office phone system as well as assisting with remote changes and configurations of phone systems to enable you to work at home. Our MiFi dongles help users who either suffer from slow broadband speeds or have no broadband at all, giving them the benefit of 4G speeds. We currently offer short term contracts for these 4G dongles to give businesses the flexibility as we are all unsure when normality will return.
In addition, we can also advise, supply and install advanced video and audio-conferencing facilities to enable you to host and partake in Teams and Zoom meetings and conferences from the comfort of your home. Chandler Comms cover everything from mobiles, broadband and VOIP to handsfree, vehicle asset tracking and CCTV as well as fully managed and competitive business-only gas and electricity rates offering customers access to extensive UK energy suppliers whilst encompassing award-winning customer service and support.
Chandler Comms are here to help us all stick together at a time where we need it most.
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