In today’s digital world, if you don’t use the latest technology, you can be left behind. Many processes have gone digital, including paying bills, flight registration and check-in, entertainment tickets and even access to healthcare information and reports. In fact, there are very few corners of our society that technology doesn’t touch. If you can’t navigate the basic processes of today’s smartphones or tablets, you won’t be able to perform many of life’s basic tasks. This can pose a problem for seniors or older people who do not have experience with technology.
So, how can we help these older populations learn the basics so that they can join the digital age and remain independent?
Here are 8 tips to helping older adults learn how to use today’s technologies:
1. Explain the benefits of using technology. Many older adults prefer to do things the way they’ve always done them—manually. But, as we all know, that is not possible in today’s world. Many of our everyday processes now require, or are a whole lot easier with, technology. So, the first thing to do is explain the relevance of learning how to use technology to seniors so that they understand how it will benefit them.
2. Safety first. Of course, with the benefits also come the risks. Make sure to address security concerns right out of the gate and explain how phishing scams and other threats work. Then be sure to demonstrate how they can be avoided.
3. Kiss it. The old adage, “Keep It Simple, Stupid” definitely applies here. An important rule of thumb is to avoid using overly technical terms which are not familiar to older people. Of course, you will have to use some tech terms, so remember to explain what they mean and then demonstrate the word or process to your senior learners. Seeing is believing!
4. Slow and steady wins the race. When teaching technology to older adults, be the tortoise, not the hare. Take it slow and steady, pausing to let your students digest the information and ask questions. Remember, this is all new to this population and it will take some time to process this “foreign” information.
5. Hands-on is a must. For seniors (or anyone for that matter) to comprehend and retain, they need to have hands-on experience. So don’t just show your audience how to do something, demonstrate first and then walk them through the process again as they perform the steps themselves.
6. Practice, practice practice. In learning, especially for older populations, repetition is key! Make sure to review the process several times, walking learners through it step-by-step. You may even want to create a “cheat sheet” which outlines the steps of the process. After all, if your senior learners don’t use the technology every day, they’re likely to need a refresher when they do.
7. Patience is a virtue. Learning to use technology isn’t always easy for those who didn’t grow up in the digital age. Many older adults likely have little experience with much of today’s technology and may have a bigger learning curve than, say, a teenager or young adult. Being patient and “keeping your cool” is a must. It may take several explanations and demonstrations before your senior students grasp the concept. If you lose your patience or make negative comments, your students may give up. Hang in there with them—they’ll get it!
8. Stay connected. Make sure to touch base with your learner from time to time to see how it’s going. Ask if they need any assistance and let them know that they can contact you if they’re having difficulty with technology or need a refresher on something you’ve taught them. Even if they don’t have any questions, it’s an opportunity to keep in contact with them.
