Gone are the days when we joked about our parents and grandparents not understanding how touch screens work. From automatic washing machines to Facebook, the twentieth-century generations have certainly been slow in adapting to technology's rapid growth. 

To this day, many of our seniors still hold the opinion that life has become too hurried, too fast-paced, unorganized, and isolating. That is the truth, but it doesn't undermine the positive changes these phenomena have caused in our lives.

 After a considerable time spent complaining about how complicated and baffling technology is, most seniors now enjoy surfing the web and reading eBooks. As hard as it was for them to accept such a transformative cultural change, it's also complex to undo this acceptance. Once our older loved ones get the hang of the comfort that comes with online health services and Skype calls, there's a lot that's going to change.

What is Silver Tech?

Silver tech refers to the numerous technologies that, one way or the other, help senior consumers stay connected yet independent in their final stages of life. When kids are too busy or too far away, it isn't always possible for them to stay by their parents' side 24/7.

Thanks this lack of physical proximity with their offspring, senior consumers naturally need some alternatives to look after them. Transportation, healthcare, house help, entertainment, communication, productivity are some of the main areas of interest which concern silver tech startups. 

This is because the older baby boomers and those who are fairly new seniors are more inclined towards and comfortable with using technology for their assistance.

Silver Tech and the Pandemic

With rapid lockdowns across the globe, many of us were united by one common worry: who would take care of our seniors? Travel was scarce, and you really couldn't make it anywhere when curfews were being activated every few hours. 

Despite the overbearing fear of losing our loved ones, things didn't turn out to be as nightmarish as we had anticipated. You see, silver tech came to the rescue. Telehealth services on hospital websites and YouTube have been perhaps the most useful in helping out elders with their medical conditions. 

Biometric systems, online grocers, and smart home technologies seemed to help our older folks pretty well. Wearable health bands proved useful in keeping track of deteriorating medical conditions. Smart TV’s and the like kept them occupied with their dozens of interests.

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Even though the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic came out of the blue, technology managed help save the day. Those who were previously unaware of silver tech's brilliance now know how easy it can be to virtually assist your seniors from anywhere in the world. Startup after startup are building and innovating bits of this technology, and we're likely to see some pretty mind-blowing demonstrations in the years to come.

What Does Silver Tech Look Like? 

So far, silver tech has a long list of expectations from senior consumers. There are countless technologies currently being used, patented, and prototyped. Of all the successful and flop models we have, here are some fantastic examples of silver tech presently in use:

Pill Dispensers

Instead of hiring private nurses and paying them a fortune, you can go for automated medical assistance for your old one. Pill dispensers are a prime example of just how simple caregiving can be, even in your absence. Getting a HIPPA compliant pill dispenser is one of the best investments you can make for a sick senior. 

These can hold pills in different quantities and shapes. Simply input the feeding timings, and each pill will pop out at the right time. This one also keeps track of the number of pills left and will notify you whenever you're running out.

Ohana

Our seniors always tap screens with an overbearing force and fumble with passwords and pin codes. They've grown up using buttons and large pixels, so it's more of a force of habit than an uncooperative behavior. 

But no worries! Ohana is an iPad app made to suit their shaky fingers without breaking the bank. The display is perfect for even the poorest eyesight, and the interface is easy to adapt to. It makes simple for the family to send their older loved ones text messages, photos, and make video calls. It helps bridge the generational gap between grandparents and their grandkids.

Tile Sticker

Old age steals away a sharp memory. Your grandparents might often forget their glasses, books, pill bottles, hearing aids, remote control, or just something else. It can be frustrating to wander around the house all day, retrieving stuff from the sofa or under the bed or the cabinet drawers. 

You can stick these tile stickers to those tiny, essential objects that they use every day. Connecting these to their smartphone app, your senior can track down anything that's lost without much effort.

Video Doorbell for grandparents

These handy little devices are attached to your doorbell and notify the house owner whenever there's a visitor. It activates its motion sensors and lets you get a visual of the visitor on your smartphone screen. 

For those living alone or who have shifted to a new residence, this feature helps avoid unwanted or unknown visitors.

Smartwatch Health Trackers for seniors

Medical technology is arguably the most advanced branch of silver tech. Nearly all smartwatches come with several built-in and downloadable health tracking apps.

For starters, there's usually one that keeps a check on the various heart conditions—blood pressure, clogged veins, irregular heartbeat, so on and so forth. There is plenty for exercising, too. These exercise apps keep track of the seniors' health while working out and suggest healthy routines. In emergency cases, it's also easier to dial an emergency number and call for an ambulance. 

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Conclusion

The world is moving forward, and our oldest are reluctant to be left behind. Silver tech allows you to keep your seniors independent and safe wherever they are and whatever they do.