Setting Technology Boundaries and Guidelines for Seniors
Aug 05, 2021
The internet has its benefits to help keep people connected, but there are also many negative effects of technology. Sadly, seniors often reap those negative effects due to isolation, a willingness to trust, and the seniors vulnerability. To combat these statistics and to protect our loved ones in senior care, we may need to help seniors set healthy boundaries with their devices.
Educate Your Seniors About Technology
Technology has been part of our lives for many years, but there are still people who dont understand how it can affect them. To convince seniors to use technology wisely, they must understand how too much technology can negatively affect them.
TheVision Councilreports 60% of adults suffer from digital eye strain, causing discomfort, headaches and blurred vision.
TheNational Sleep Foundationcorrelates heavy cell phone use and sleep disorders.
Social media overuse has been linked to depression and suicidal ideation.
Excessive use of digital devices can impact physical health through inactivity.
Technology does have some good benefits when used wisely. The trick, at any age, is to find the balance between using technology and having time away from the devices. Seniors may need help finding that balance, even though they are adults.
Tips For Setting Tech Boundaries
Theres no reason to completely disconnect from technology. Talking about technology use with your parent can help you introduce best practices:
Limiting time on digital devices.
Dont check notifications immediately on waking up.
Block accounts that make you feel negative.
Decrease notifications to keep productivity high and to lessen distractions.
Turn off devices at night to respect sleep patterns.
Find time to interact with real people each day while putting your device down.
Seniors may need to find ways to keep themselves busy to replace screen time. Virtual connections arent the same as interacting in person. It may take a planned strategy to adjust a relationship with technology by making sure that your senior has people to connect with to prevent overuse of technology.
Seniors and technology can be a good mix, but technology needs to be used mindfully. If you need assistance helping seniors set healthy boundaries with their devices,contactour home care providers at Gentle Shepherd Home Care. We can provide education, care, and assistance to help you take care of your seniors.
Other Articles You May Like
Trump's Changes to Medicaid
Many Colorado Seniors and Disabled Adults are concerned about the recent funding discussions about Federal, not State, Medicaid changes, and how they might impact Long-term Care Medicaid benefits here in Colorado. There are 40+ different Medicaid programs in the State of Colorado alone, which are funded differently. Some of these Medicaid programs will be impacted by Trumps changes.At this time, it is important to know that the Medicaid changes imposed do not affect Long-term Care Medicaid in Colorado. If you are currently receiving Long-term Care Medicaid benefits or considering applying, you can rest assured that your eligibility, services, and coverage remain intact. Long-term Care Medicaid has already been funded for 2025, therefore nothing will change this year. In addition, there have not been any major changes to Colorado Long-term Care Medicaid in 20 years, and we dont foresee any changes now. In the meantime, if you have any questions about your coverage or need assistance navigating the Long-term Care Medicaid process, please dont hesitate to reach out to Beneficent. www.DoingGoodForOthers.com/contactus
Cybersecurity 10 Tips for Staying Safe on the Internet
Cybersecurity 10 Tips for Staying Safe on the Internet from Viva Health's Data Security Officer Lynn Murphree Many seniors dont use digital tools because they worry about Internet scams and hackers. Knowing what to look out for will help keep you safe. Read these tips from Viva Health's Data Security Officer Lynn Murphree to learn how to spot harmful websites, shop online safely, choose secure passwords, and much more.1. Dont share sensitive information, like your social security number, Medicare ID number, bank account details, or other personal data in an email. When registering for portals like the Viva Health Member Portal or our partner portals, you will be asked to provide your Medicare ID number to make sure you are the one setting up the account. This is safe and secure. 2. When browsing sites, do not click on pop-up ads. Pop-up ads are ads that open in a new window. Pop-ups may have viruses that can auto-download to your device or computer. 3. Only shop from sites you are familiar with, like Amazon. 4. When making online purchases, make sure the product is shipped from the USA rather than another country. 5. To make sure a website is secure, check for https instead of just http in the URL. 6. Never use your debit card (linked to your checking account) for online transactions. Use a credit card instead. 7. Always use 2-Factor Authentication whenever it is available. This is also known as multi-factor authentication. 8. If you use Facebook or other social media sites, never accept a friend request from someone you dont know. 9. When creating passwords, make sure they are at least eight characters long and include a combination of numbers, uppercase and lowercase letters, and symbols. 10. Never respond to personal emergency emails, posts, or messages on social media. Go to vivahealth.com/medicare/events/videos, type in cybersecurity in the search box to view a video for more information. Contact Viva Health at 800-830-8432 to discover more about Medicare options in Alabama.
Protecting Seniors from Holiday Scams
Protecting Seniors from Holiday Scams The holiday season is here, and with it comes the excitement of Black Friday deals and the rush to find the perfect gifts. However, while the season brings joy, it also attracts scammers looking to take advantage of vulnerable populations, especially seniors. Older adults lose an estimated $3 billion annually to scams, according to the Federal Trade Commission, with a spike seen during the holiday season due to fraudulent online shopping deals, fake charities, and even Medicare-related phishing schemes. Here are some of the newest holiday scams targeting seniors, tips to avoid them, and resources to stay informed. The Newest Scams Targeting Seniors 1. Fake E-Commerce Websites Scammers are getting better at creating realistic-looking websites that mimic well-known retailers or advertise exclusive limited-time deals. These fake sites lure seniors into entering personal and financial information, which is then stolen. What to Watch for: URLs that dont match the official retailers name. Unbelievably low prices on high-ticket items. Poor grammar or spelling errors in website text. How to Stay Safe: Use trusted retailers youve shopped with before. Look for https and a padlock symbol in the URL. Cross-check deals on the retailers official site. 2. Phishing Emails and Texts Fraudulent emails or texts promising massive discounts or alerting about account issues are common. These messages often direct recipients to fake login pages to steal their credentials. What to Watch for: Emails or texts that create a sense of urgency, such as Act Now! or Your account has been locked. Suspicious sender email addresses or phone numbers. How to Stay Safe: Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited messages. Contact the retailer or service provider directly to verify the issue. 3. Charity Scams The holidays inspire generosity, and scammers exploit this by pretending to represent charitable organizations. They often pressure seniors to donate immediately, using emotional appeals. What to Watch for: Pushy callers who wont provide detailed information about the charity. Requests for unusual payment methods, such as gift cards. How to Stay Safe: Verify the charitys legitimacy on sites like Charity Navigator. Donate directly through the charitys official website. 4. Delivery Scams Fake package delivery notifications are another growing scam. Seniors receive emails or texts claiming theyve missed a delivery and are asked to click a link to reschedule. These links often download malware or request sensitive information. What to Watch for: Messages with poor formatting or unusual requests for payment to reschedule. Notifications from companies the recipient hasnt ordered from. How to Stay Safe: Verify the tracking information by visiting the delivery companys official website. Do not click links in unsolicited delivery messages. Additional Tips for Protecting Seniors from Scams Educate and Communicate: Take time to discuss common scams with your loved ones. Share real-life examples and role-play how to handle suspicious situations. Use Technology Wisely: Help seniors set up strong, unique passwords for online accounts and enable two-factor authentication when possible. Monitor Financial Activity: Encourage seniors to regularly review their bank and credit card statements for unusual transactions. If theyre comfortable, offer to assist them with this task. Leverage Caller ID and Blocking Features: Scammers frequently use phone calls to target seniors. Ensure your loved ones phone is set up to block calls from unknown numbers and warn them not to share personal information over the phone. Learn More from a Helpful Resource: For more in-depth information on protecting seniors from scams, visit the Federal Trade Commissions Consumer Information page. This site offers the latest updates on scam tactics, tips for avoiding fraud, and steps to take if a scam occurs. How Amada Senior Care Can Help At Amada Senior Care, we are dedicated to the safety and well-being of seniors. Our caregivers are trained to provide companionship and safety guidance during the busy holiday season. By staying vigilant and informed, seniors can experience the joys of the season without falling victim to scams. Lets work together to make this holiday season merry, bright, and safe for all. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help protect your loved ones during the holidays and beyond. Amada Senior Care of Mobile and Baldwin is here to help. Contact us at 251-305-4500