Technology Can Enhance Seniors’ Independence

At the 2019 Swarthmore Wellness Fair, Dan Snyder provided a user-friendly description of how seniors can use contemporary technologies to sustain and enhance independent living. He began by demonstrating how useful smartphones and tablets can be, even in spite of their apparently intimidating, complicated features. Then he showed how easy it can be to use “smart speakers” like the Amazon Echo, to read an audiobook, play a classical music radio station, give a weather report, listen to the Phillies, and do an amazing array of other things. 

Digging deeper into senior-specific life enhancements, Dan turned to a description of various “smart” home devices and appliances that can be connected to and controlled by a smart speaker. So, for example, a senior with limited mobility or vision could change the thermostat by telling the Amazon Echo to do it. In fact, as Snyder pointed out, the newer technologies offer the ability, simply by voice, to control locks, lights, security cameras, and the like, enriching one’s quality of life while augmenting safety and independence.

At the presentation’s conclusion Dan offered a list of local businesses, classes, and tutors that help seniors learn to use technology successfully. If you missed the presentation or mislaid your notes, never fear: this listing is available by email request to dan.snyder.x@gmail.com.