The Effective Use of Technology
Today’s society is more connected than ever before. The vast majority of the population now uses the internet, smartphones and social media to communicate and keep in touch with friends. In the UK alone, 38 million people use Facebook. Yet, at the same time, there are around one million older people who have not spoken to a friend, neighbour or family member for at least a month. Loneliness is the biggest killer in older people due to the real mental and physiological problems it creates – it is a very real problem.
There is a sharp divide in the uptake of the use of technology across generations. Those people who could benefit most from technology are least likely to have access to it, or have the confidence to try it. In addition, as technology becomes more pervasive in general society, we are seeing a breakdown of traditional forms of social interaction. For example, younger people are now less inclined to make phone calls, preferring instead short instant messaging, which further isolates the older population.
The good news is that it is never too late to learn how to use a computer or tablet and a large proportion of the UK now has super-fast broadband, which makes booking holidays, shopping for groceries, streaming online films, or speaking to the family on Skype or FaceTime so easy and a great way to combat loneliness. More and more older people are getting interested in using computers, because they want to stay in touch with their families and we must do our best to encourage their engagement with technology – even in the most reluctant.
Computers
Fortunately for many older people, there are family members and friends who will help them learn to use a computer, particularly grandchildren, who tend to understand technology better than the rest of us. If your relative does not have that kind of help to hand, there are classes available which can familiarise them with the internet and email. Even if they do not type very fast, or are a little bit unsure of what they are doing, older people can see the benefit of connecting with their loved ones and with people they know all over the world simply by clicking a button. Increasingly, older people have been joining social networking sites too, so that they can make new friends and reconnect with old ones.
Computers can also transform how older people shop and how they entertain themselves. If someone is less mobile, computers can provide them with access to a whole new world, where they can find shopping, information, entertainment and contacts online. Computers can also be used to promote life-long learning, as older people can research areas of interest, or take online courses.
How to encourage an older person to try a computer
By far the biggest problem with regard to using technology for older people is lack of confidence. Many older people encountering computers for the first time believe that it will all be far too difficult for them to make sense of at their age and therefore it is easier not to try. The best advice to combat this reluctance is not to call a machine a computer or a laptop, but just to show them what it does.
Matt went to see his grandma and took his tablet with him.
‘Hi, Grandma, let me show you something amazing.’
‘What is it?’
‘Oh, it’s this really easy thing. Just look.’ He opens his tablet. ‘You see this square here?’ He points to the Skype icon.
‘Yes,’ says his grandma.
‘Just press it.’
His grandma reaches over and taps the blue icon. Skype’s home page appears with Matt’s contacts.
‘Now press Mum’s name,’ says Matt.
His grandma does so and she hears a ringing noise, followed by her daughter’s face appearing on the screen.
‘Hi, Mum,’ laughs her daughter.
‘Hello, what are you doing in there?’
‘Oh, well, I’m talking to you. If you like, Matt can get you a screen too and then you can call and talk face-to-face whenever you like.’
‘Well, I never! How clever! Matt, when can you get one for me? Can I call your aunt as well?’
‘Yes, of course. You can call her in Australia. You just have to get the time difference right!’
One feature of computer applications which older people often find difficult is mastering the large number of details that must be remembered in order to accomplish tasks, such as logging on, opening up specific programmes and managing passwords. Each detail is small in itself, but all must be learned in order to make use of the software correctly. Once the steps have been clarified, however, they can then use strategies to remember what to do, such as having reminder sheets by the keyboard, or making good use of online help facilities, which can be saved on the main screen as an icon. There are also a number of simplified software applications, which minimise the steps necessary to use a computer. You can search for these online as new versions and concepts are emerging all the time.
One physical skill that many older people find very difficult at first is using the computer mouse. Many report that this problem alone has meant they have abandoned attempts to attend classes in introductory computing since they are embarrassed at their slowness in acquiring this minor, but important skill. If the mouse becomes a real problem, there are touch screen computers available, which can take away the fear of using the computer, or many older people find tablets a much easier option. However, a few hours of practice with the mouse usually solves any problems, but this must be mastered before any real applications involving using the mouse are attempted, or confidence will suffer and they may decide to give up entirely.
Learning to use the computer with other older people can help as it avoids the embarrassment the learner might feel with a younger person who knows all about the technology and struggles to understand why other people just don’t get it. Also, having an older person as a teacher provides a constant role model and proof that the technology can, in fact, be mastered by someone who is no longer young. Check your local education authority, or other local educational groups, many of whom will run very useful beginners courses on computing. There are also a number of helpful computing books available, such as Computing for Dummies for Seniors. If you can persuade your older relative to embrace the computer, they will be able to live more fulfilling lives due to the access it will give them.
Tablets
The amazing thing about the iPad and other similar tablets is that they are a natural extension of the normal interface between the hand and the brain, which means that they are very straightforward for everyone to use, including older people with no previous experience of technology. It is very easy to get started using a tablet. As with computers, the best way of introducing a tablet to an older person is simply to say, ‘Have you seen this?’ Do not mention 4G, Wi-Fi, etc., as it can get scary and confusing, unless the person you are giving it to already understands these terms, or wants to know. Hand the tablet to them switched on with an app open on the screen and let them start looking around. Apps are designed to be very intuitive, so they will soon be able to start interacting.
It is a good idea to establish what interests your relative (e.g. arts and crafts, cooking, news, games, crosswords, etc.) and start searching from there. There are many thousands of apps available and the choice is enormous, with costs ranging from free to around £5 for more complex software. To help you to help your relative to choose, type in the keywords for what you are looking for (e.g. drawing) into the search box and let the machine find the apps for you. If you just want free apps, you can filter the search for free apps accordingly.
There are certain apps which are definitely worth putting on an older person’s tablet, such as Skype and/or FaceTime, so that they can call you and chat to you live. These apps provide free unlimited face-to-face contact with anyone, or any computer anywhere in the world through Wi-Fi, as long as they are also registered with these apps. All you need is an email address and Wi-Fi or broadband. You can arrange specific times to call, so your relative is ready and expecting you.
The iPad and other tablets have a camera on the front and on the back, so it does not matter how your relative holds it when speaking to you, as they can switch easily between the two. Being able to see your relative when talking has many advantages. You can see if they look healthy and well groomed, and you can keep a regular check on them. You can also involve them more in your life by using the outward camera to show them how your garden is looking, the mess in the kids’ room, etc., so they feel more involved.
YouTube is also another good app to enable your relative to view short video clips on almost anything you can imagine. It has such a diversity of content, so it really allows the user to follow what they are interested in and can be very entertaining as well, helping to pass the time. Older people can look at events from their past, on channels such as Pathé News, or view old films. Or they can learn something new, such as how to make greetings cards, or to find a new, easy recipe. They can even choose music to listen to and sing along. YouTube also has videos on how to fix almost anything, which can take some of the stress away from the family, so if your relative is still mentally well enough to watch such videos and follow instructions, they can be very helpful.
In addition, there are many very useful medical and monitoring apps, which can help to keep older people safe in the home, helping you to keep tabs on their medication and reminding them to take it at the right time with the correct dosage.
They can also bank online, which is becoming more necessary with the closure of so many retail banking sites. Online shopping, particularly for heavy household items, can be a great help and the delivery people are usually more than happy to take the goods into the home and to help unpack, if needed.
Mobile phones
Mobile phones can be a very useful line of communication for older people and their children, both as a way of staying in touch day-to-day and as a reassuring emergency tool for the most vulnerable. Encouraging older people to agree to use a mobile phone, however, can be a difficult hurdle to overcome, especially if they have never owned one and they may think them too complex to work, or too expensive to run. They might also find it difficult to use the small buttons on a standard mobile, due to a disability, sight problems, or because of arthritic fingers, but there are many easy-to-use mobiles on the market, which are also far cheaper than smartphones. Look for phones with larger buttons (Doro produce a good range), phones which speak numbers when dialled, extra-loud speakers that have hearing aid compatibility and phones with a good battery life, so they do not need constant charging. Some also have a built-in panic button. Some are touchscreen and some are not, so you can decide which type suits your relative best.
Setting up email
Email is a great way for older people to keep in touch with family and friends. Email obviously allows you to send messages and photographs to them instantly, without needing a stamp or pen and paper, making it so much easier to communicate and keep in touch.
Many older people believe setting up an email account is complicated, but it is really very simple. There are many websites offering free email accounts, such as Google, Yahoo, AOL and Hotmail. When you visit one of these websites, you will see an option to register a new account. You need to fill in a few personal details to keep the account more secure. Any information recorded by the email providers will be kept confidential and cannot be disclosed to third parties without your or your relative’s permission, so email details remain private. The address you or your relative chooses will have two parts to it: the user name and the domain name of the provider, which are separated by the @ symbol. You can choose any user name you like, as long as no one else has chosen it already. If they have, you need to add numbers or letters to make it unique to you. The domain name – such as Google or Yahoo – always stays the same depending on the chosen provider.
Choose a password your relative can remember, but which is not too easy. Your relative can make a note of it in a safe place and so can you, in case they forget it. Computers and tablets will also allow you to ask the computer to remember it for your relative. Passwords should be a combination of upper and lower case letters and numbers. It is a good idea to change your password regularly and to keep it private.
Remind your relative that when they log in to check their email, or to write a message, they will be asked to type in their email address and password, unless these details have been saved so they come up automatically. They should never save these details on a shared computer as other people can then access their email account. It is a good idea to save passwords when you help your relative to set these up initially, so they do not have to remember the details each time. Sites such as Last Pass will issue a different password for each site and remember it for you, which keeps everything secure and much simpler. All you then need to do is remember one master password. It is important to remind your relative not to give out their email address to anyone who they do not want to contact them as they may end up receiving unwanted junk mail. It is also a good idea to help them to unsubscribe from any unwanted sites every so often.
Once your relative has logged into their email account with their email address and password, they will be able to read their messages and choose to send messages to others. To do this, you can copy out this set of instructions for them to follow:
1) Type the email address of the person you want to send an email to into the box at the top marked ‘To’.
2) The ‘From’ box will fill itself in with your email address.
3) Create a title for your message in the box marked subject. In the large box underneath, type in your message.
4) When you have finished writing your message, click on the button marked ‘Send’ and your message will be sent over the internet.
You might find that ads and other unwanted emails start appearing in your Inbox. If ever you are unsure about a message, delete it rather than click on it. If it is a scam email and you click on it, it can give the sender access to your email addresses and they can in turn send spam to all your contacts, send you more spam and possibly create a virus in your computer. It is always better just to block them, or delete them if you are unsure.
You can also check whether an email looks genuine by clicking on the email address it has been sent from as this usually gives a good indication of whether or not the email is real. Fake email addresses are normally self-evident, with spelling mistakes, or using the name of a random person, rather than the company it pretends to be from. If in doubt, do not open it and just delete it.
Avoiding scams
Unfortunately, there are many unscrupulous individuals who prey on all of us, but older people can be a particular target. Scams can happen online, on the phone, or at the door. The general rule to follow is that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is too good to be true, so be suspicious. If your relative is offered a deal, whether by phone, or face-to-face, or even online, they should never make decisions immediately. Encourage them to talk to you first about any offers or deals and to take time to consider the offer. If they are keen to progress, it often makes sense to consult an independent party and take legal and/or financial advice before moving forward. Remind your relative not to get distracted by ‘any time limited’ offers, or special ‘sign up now’ deals. Scammers like to pressurise older people.
You or your relative must check the credentials of any company or individual before handing over any money, or signing anything. This is best carried out online, as then you will be able to check out multiple sources and even find out via blogs if anyone has been scammed by these organisations before. Beware of glowing testimonials as they may be false. If your relative does not have internet access, or is not familiar with these types of searches, get them to ask somebody else to do it for them.
Banking and personal details are very valuable, so your relative needs to do all they can to protect them. Remind them that they should never give any personal details to someone they do not know, or do not trust, whatever they say and however they approach them, i.e. by phone, on the doorstep or online. Impress upon them that the bank will never call and ask for bank details, so if someone does ask for them, it will be bogus. Some scammers demand payment for products or services in gift vouchers rather than cash and this should always ring alarm bells. No reputable company asks for payment by this method. Sometimes, your relative may receive requests online by email to send money to someone who is in distress, or financial difficulty abroad. Whatever the circumstances, never send money abroad, even if it is an email from someone you know, as this is almost always still a scam. When using the internet, remind your relative always to go directly to the website they want and not through a link from another site, as this might provide access to their details.
The following case study is typical of the type of fraud perpetrated on older people and was recently highlighted by the Financial Ombudsman:
Mr H took a call from someone who said they were the police. He was told that his debit cards had been compromised. Mr H was told to call his bank to check what the ‘police officer’ had said was true. Mr H didn’t realise at the time that the fraudster was still on the line and that when he thought he was calling the bank, the call was actually diverted to the fraudster, who got Mr H to disclose personal security information. He was asked to key his PIN into the phone for verification. And while he was still on the phone to the person he thought worked for his bank, a ‘courier’ arrived to take his bank cards away for security reasons. Mr H soon started to feel that something was not right and contacted his bank again the following day – his real bank, this time. They confirmed that a significant sum had been removed from his savings account and more money had been withdrawn at cash machines. The bank said they could not refund the money because Mr H had been negligent in giving away confidential information.
Protecting your relative’s home address is very important. If they begin to receive mail for someone they do not recognise at their address, you or they should open it and find out why it has been sent. Always shred or tear up any documents which have your relative’s address and personal details on them before they go into the bin or recycling, especially banking and finance information, as unscrupulous people rifle through recycling bins looking for such personal details to use. Remind your relative never to reply to unsolicited texts, e.g. those asking about accidents or PPI, even to reply STOP, as that can also be a scam. Just delete them.
Register all your relative’s phones and mail addresses to stop unsolicited calls and mail via the Telephone Preference Service (www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps) and the Mailing Preference Service (www.mpsonline.org.uk). This will go a long way to stopping junk and scam mail. You can also block callers on a relative’s mobile phone and landline, if they have the right type of handset which allows numbers to be blocked. It is also vital to keep their computer’s anti-virus and security programmes up-to-date.
Above all, if you or your relative has been a victim of a scam, or suspect a scam, you must report it immediately to the police. You should also contact Action Fraud 0300 123 2040, or visit their website https://www.actionfraud.police.uk.
Technology to assist care
Technology can assist with care within the home in many ways. Whether it is used to enhance security, to alert for falls, or to help with medication, it can be of enormous benefit to older people and their carers.
Medical technology
Managing medication for someone who needs to take a variety of pills every day is a critical task as it is important to ensure the correct dosage and timing. Modern pill dispensers can be pre-loaded with a day’s, or a week’s worth of medication, and will automatically dispense the right medication at the right time by sending out an alert, or sounding an alarm, to show that the medication is ready to take. Alternatively, there are medical apps where you can set reminders for when any medication is due, which medication it is and what the dosage is. You can even record that the drug has been taken and share that information with other people involved in your relative’s care, such as doctors, nurses and other family members. Many conditions which require home care also require individuals to be remotely monitored, with technology enabling the recorded information to be transmitted to clinical specialists, who can offer support and intervention where necessary, based on real-time information. Search online for the relevant apps.
If an older person experiences problems due to unstable diabetes, they may be eligible for an at home glucometer. This device can record blood glucose levels and share this information automatically with their clinical team in order to create a well-informed care plan with appropriate interventions where necessary.
If someone has suffered from heart failure, they may be eligible for a heart rate and/or blood pressure monitor. This device can take heart rate and blood pressure measurements from the home and transmit them to the care team, enabling clinical staff to monitor the condition and react quickly to changes. CCGs (groups of GPs) across the country are at varying stages of implementing technology to help their patients with this. If you think it could be of benefit to your relative, speak to their GP, who can advise you if their local area already provides it.
Technology to ensure safety at home
Personal alarms are the most frequently used forms of technology for carers. They can take a number of different forms, but in essence, they allow a person to alert others when they are in need.
The most common device is one worn either around the neck or the wrist and consists of a simple push button. Pushing this button then alerts someone that the individual is in need. There are various ways in which this can be done, either via an audible alarm, which alerts someone in another room, or via a direct alert to a carer linked to a received device. This means that the carer can also wear a linked device, so that wherever they are, they can be alerted. You can also use a monitored device, which means that once the alert button is pressed, a central team is notified that a problem exists. They can then ensure that the appropriate action is taken, which could be contacting the carer, visiting the patient, or alerting the emergency services. There are also a number of apps which alert you via your smartphone.
Bed or chair sensors are the second most commonly used type of home technology device. They will alert a carer if an older person gets out of their bed or chair, or if they attempt to do so. These sensors are pads placed either on a chair, or under the sheet on a bed. When they sense that the person is attempting to stand, the carer is alerted by an audible alarm. Alternatively, if you want to be alerted specifically when a person has left their bed, you can place pressure pads on the floor by the side of the bed. When someone leaves the bed and stands on the pressure pad, the carer can be alerted.
For a relative with dementia, it can be critical to ensure that they do not leave the house unattended, or that someone is notified if they have left at an inappropriate time, or for an elongated period. You can use a device which notifies you when this happens. These alarms work by installing a sensor in the front door, which monitors when the front door is opened and closed and whenever there is movement through it. This enables a carer to be alerted immediately and to take appropriate action.
If your relative is liable to fall, the worry that they could be left alone after a fall, unable to move or stand, is constant. A fall sensor is a device worn around the neck, on the wrist or carried in a pouch. It can detect when the wearer has fallen by sensing sudden jolts, or that the wearer is not standing vertically. Once a fall has been detected, it produces an alert, in the same way as a personal alarm, to ensure that the appropriate care is provided as quickly as possible.
To check whether you might be eligible for any of the above technical support, contact your relative’s GP, or your local council. You can also go online to find useful information, devices, contacts and relevant apps.