Using Technology to Stay Connected & Independent

Category: Aging Well

Using Technology to Stay Connected & Independent

Technology can make everyday life easier, safer, and more connected.

A smartphone can provide directions, remind you to take medication, arrange transportation, and allow you to see family members who live far away. A tablet can make reading easier. A smart speaker can turn on lights without requiring you to cross a dark room.

You do not need to use every new device or understand every feature. The goal is to choose technology that solves a real problem and learn the parts that are useful to you.

Technology should support your independence—not make you feel confused, pressured, or dependent on someone else.

Start With What You Want Technology to Do

Do not begin by buying the newest device. Begin with a task you want to make easier.

You might want to:

Talk with family more often.
Attend a medical appointment from home.
Remember appointments or medication.
Arrange transportation.
Order groceries.
Read books with larger text.
Control lights without getting up.
Call for help during an emergency.
Keep track of health information.
Pay bills or check your bank account.
Find directions.
Participate in a class or community group.

Choose one goal and learn the technology needed for that task. Once you feel comfortable, add another.

Trying to learn ten new apps at once usually creates frustration. A small number of familiar tools is often more useful than a device filled with apps you do not understand.

Choose a Device That Fits Your Needs

Smartphones, tablets, computers, smartwatches, and smart speakers can perform many of the same tasks, but they are not equally comfortable for everyone.

When comparing devices, consider:

Screen size.
Text readability.
Volume.
Button size.
Weight.
Battery life.
Ease of charging.
Voice controls.
Compatibility with hearing aids.
Accessibility features.
Cost of the device and monthly service.
Whether someone you trust knows how to help with it.

A tablet’s larger screen may be easier for video calls, reading, and completing forms. A smartphone is easier to carry and can provide help while away from home. A smart speaker may be useful for someone who has difficulty seeing or using a touchscreen.

The best device is not necessarily the most advanced one. It is the one you can use comfortably and reliably.

Adjust the Accessibility Settings

Most smartphones, tablets, and computers include features designed to make them easier to use.

Depending on the device, you may be able to:

Increase the text size.
Make text bolder.
Magnify part of the screen.
Increase color contrast.
Reduce distracting motion.
Use spoken screen instructions.
Type by speaking.
Have messages read aloud.
Turn on captions.
Adjust sound for hearing needs.
Use a flashing light for notifications.
Replace complicated gestures with simpler controls.
Increase the amount of time before the screen turns off.

These features are often found under Accessibility in the device settings.

Ask someone to help you test different options, but make the final decision based on what feels comfortable to you. An accessibility setting is helpful only if it makes the device easier—not if it creates a new kind of confusion.

Assistive technology includes devices and features that maintain or improve independence for older adults and people with disabilities. The federal Administration for Community Living can help people locate their state’s Assistive Technology Act program, where they may be able to explore or try different tools.

Stay Connected Through Calls and Messages

Technology can help you maintain relationships even when distance, transportation, weather, or health makes in-person visits difficult.

Useful options include:

Telephone calls.
Text messages.
Group messages.
Email.
Video calls.
Private family photo-sharing.
Online community groups.
Virtual religious services.
Online classes and support groups.

Create contacts for the people you call most often. Include photographs if that makes them easier to recognize.

Place important contacts in your favorites list, such as:

Close family members.
Trusted friends.
Your doctor.
Your pharmacy.
Transportation services.
Building management.
Emergency contacts.

Practice making and answering video calls before an important event. Learn how to turn the camera and microphone on and off, adjust the volume, and end the call.

Technology can support relationships, but it should not completely replace in-person contact when visits are possible and wanted. If you are feeling isolated, tell someone rather than waiting for another person to notice.

Helpful Resources: Browse Audio & Video Communication for products, equipment, services, or supplies related to this section.

Use Calendars and Reminders

Digital reminders can help you keep track of:

Appointments.
Medication times.
Bill due dates.
Birthdays.
Trash and recycling days.
Exercise.
Household tasks.
Prescription refills.
Transportation reservations.

A phone calendar can alert you before an appointment and store the address, phone number, and notes about what to bring.

You may want more than one reminder. For example:

One reminder the day before.
Another reminder two hours before.
A final alert when it is time to leave.

Voice assistants can also create reminders when typing is difficult. You might say, “Remind me at 7 tonight to take the laundry out.”

Do not depend entirely on a device for information that would be dangerous to lose. Keep an additional written list of essential medication, medical, and emergency information.

Manage Medication Carefully

Medication apps and electronic pill dispensers may help with timing, tracking, and refill reminders.

Possible features include:

Scheduled alarms.
A record of doses taken.
Refill alerts.
Caregiver notifications.
Locked compartments.
Lists of medication names and instructions.

Technology can help you follow an established medication plan, but it should not decide which medication you need.

Enter medication information carefully and compare it with the pharmacy label. Ask a pharmacist or healthcare professional if anything is unclear.

Do not change a dose, skip medication, or combine medicines based only on information from an app, website, or artificial intelligence tool.

If missed or duplicated doses are becoming common, discuss the problem with your doctor, pharmacist, or someone you trust. A different system or additional support may be needed.

Use Patient Portals and Telehealth

Many healthcare providers offer online patient portals where you can:

View appointments.
Request prescription refills.
Read test results.
Send nonurgent messages.
Review visit summaries.
Pay medical bills.
Download health records.

Save the portal’s official website or app so you do not need to search for it each time.

Telehealth allows some appointments to occur by video or telephone. Before the visit:

Charge the device.
Confirm the date and time.
Test the camera, microphone, and speakers.
Find a quiet, well-lit location.
Write down questions.
Keep medication and insurance information nearby.
Know how the provider will contact you if the video fails.

Telehealth is not appropriate for every health concern. Call 911 for an emergency rather than sending a portal message or waiting for a virtual appointment.

Arrange Transportation

Transportation apps can help you:

Review public transit schedules.
Get walking or driving directions.
Arrange a taxi or rideshare.
Track an arriving vehicle.
Share your trip with someone you trust.
Find accessible transportation.

Practice using the app with another person before you need it.

When using a rideshare service:

Confirm the license plate.
Compare the driver and vehicle with the app.
Ask the driver to identify the intended passenger rather than giving your name first.
Sit in the back seat when traveling alone.
Share the trip with a trusted person when appropriate.
Do not enter a vehicle that does not match the information provided.

Keep the phone charged and carry the telephone number for a backup transportation service. An app is useful, but you still need another plan if the phone, internet, or service is unavailable.

Shop and Arrange Deliveries

Online services may allow you to order:

Groceries.
Prescriptions.
Household supplies.
Prepared meals.
Clothing.
Medical supplies.

These services can be particularly helpful during bad weather, illness, or periods of reduced mobility.

Before placing an order:

Confirm that you are using the official website or app.
Review the items and quantities.
Check delivery fees and tips.
Confirm the address.
Review substitution preferences.
Understand the return or refund policy.
Save the receipt or confirmation.

Avoid saving a payment method on a shared or public device. Review bank or credit card statements for unfamiliar charges.

If a delivery person contacts you unexpectedly and asks for a verification code, password, or additional payment outside the app, do not provide it.

Use Technology Around the Home

Smart-home devices may make daily routines easier.

Examples include:

Voice-controlled lights.
Smart plugs.
Video doorbells.
Automatic door locks.
Thermostat controls.
Appliance shutoff devices.
Water-leak sensors.
Motion-activated lighting.
Stove-use alerts.
Medication dispensers.
Medical alert systems.

Smart-home technology can improve accessibility, but it should be chosen around a specific need. The Administration for Community Living notes that smart-home technology can increase independence and make housing more accessible.

Before buying a device, ask:

What problem will this solve?
Does it require Wi-Fi?
Is there a monthly fee?
What happens during a power outage?
Can it also be controlled manually?
Who will install and maintain it?
What information does it collect?
Who can view that information?
Will it work with my existing devices?

Essential functions such as door locks, lights, and temperature controls should have a reliable manual backup whenever possible.

Consider a Medical Alert System

A medical alert system may allow you to call for help after a fall or during another emergency.

Systems may include:

A wearable button.
A wall-mounted button.
Fall-detection technology.
GPS location.
Two-way communication.
Caregiver notifications.
Monitoring inside and outside the home.

Before enrolling, ask:

Does it work away from home?
Does it require cellular service or Wi-Fi?
Is fall detection included?
Who receives the alert?
Is monitoring available 24 hours a day?
What are the equipment and monthly costs?
Is there a contract or cancellation fee?
How often must the device be charged?
Is it water-resistant enough to wear in the shower?

Automatic fall detection is not perfect. Wear the device consistently and press the button when you need help rather than assuming the system will detect everything.

Test it according to the company’s instructions.

Protect Your Accounts

Use a different strong password for each important account. A password manager can help you create and store passwords securely.

Turn on two-factor authentication whenever possible. This requires an additional verification step and provides more protection if someone learns your password.

Also:

Keep devices and apps updated.
Use a screen lock.
Do not share verification codes.
Avoid banking on public Wi-Fi.
Review privacy settings.
Download apps only from trusted app stores.
Remove apps you no longer use.
Back up important information.
Set account-recovery information before you need it.

Do not keep all of your passwords in an unlocked note labeled “Passwords.” If you maintain a written backup, store it securely.

Recognize Common Technology Scams

Scammers may contact you through calls, texts, email, social media, pop-up messages, or fake websites.

Be suspicious if someone:

Creates an urgent deadline.
Claims your device has a virus.
Says your account has been hacked and your money must be moved.
Requests remote access to your device.
Asks for a password or verification code.
Demands payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or cash.
Claims to be a relative who needs secret emergency help.
Threatens arrest, account closure, or loss of benefits.
Asks you to install an unfamiliar app.

Real technology companies do not normally call unexpectedly because they detected a problem with your computer.

The Federal Trade Commission warns that tech-support scammers may use fake pop-ups or calls to obtain remote access, steal information, or demand payment.

If a message frightens or rushes you:

Stop.
Do not click anything.
Do not call the number in the message.
Contact the company using its official website, app, statement, or card.
Ask someone you trust to review the situation.

There is no embarrassment in checking. Scams are deliberately designed to create confusion and panic.

Be Careful With Remote Access

Remote-access software allows another person to control your screen from somewhere else. It can be useful when receiving help from someone you know and trust, but it also gives that person significant access.

Do not grant remote access to someone who contacts you unexpectedly.

If a trusted person is helping:

Confirm who they are.
Understand what they will be able to see.
Close banking and medical information first.
Stay present during the session.
End the connection when the task is finished.
Remove the software if it is no longer needed.

Never open financial accounts or type passwords while an unknown person is viewing or controlling the device.

Decide Who Can Help With Your Technology

Choose one or two trusted people who can assist when needed.

Discuss:

Which devices you use.
Which accounts are essential.
How you prefer to receive help.
What the person may and may not access.
Where purchase and warranty information is stored.
What should happen if you become unable to manage the accounts.

Someone can help without taking over everything.

They might write down instructions, organize the home screen, remove unwanted notifications, or practice a task with you. Whenever possible, they should explain what they are doing rather than simply taking the device away and fixing it.

Avoid sharing your password unless access is truly necessary. Account recovery, emergency access, or delegated-access features may be safer.

Create Simple Instructions

Write down the steps for tasks you use regularly.

For example:

Starting a Video Call

Open the video-call app.
Tap the person’s name.
Tap the camera symbol.
Adjust the volume if needed.
Tap the red button to end the call.

Include pictures or screenshots if they help.

Keep instructions near the device or in a clearly labeled folder. Update them if the app changes.

You do not need to memorize every step. A reliable reference is part of using technology independently.

Have a Backup Plan

Technology fails.

Phones lose power. Wi-Fi stops working. Apps change. Passwords are forgotten. Services become unavailable.

Keep backups for essential needs:

A printed contact list.
Written medication information.
A regular telephone when appropriate.
A portable charger.
A flashlight.
Cash or another payment option.
A second transportation method.
Manual controls for important smart-home devices.
Paper copies of critical documents.
A trusted person who can help.

Technology should add options rather than becoming a single point of failure.

Learn at Your Own Pace

No one is born knowing how to use a smartphone, patient portal, or video-call app.

Ask questions. Take notes. Practice when you are not under pressure. Repeat the same task until it becomes familiar.

Useful learning resources may be available through:

Libraries.
Senior centers.
Community colleges.
Technology stores.
Assistive technology programs.
Family members.
Trusted friends.
Local aging or disability organizations.

Be cautious about paying unfamiliar individuals who advertise technology help online. Use a known business, organization, or personal referral.

Technology Should Support Your Choices

You do not need to adopt every new tool.

Use technology when it helps you:

Stay connected.
Manage responsibilities.
Access healthcare.
Move through your community.
Make your home easier to use.
Respond during emergencies.
Continue doing things for yourself.

It is also reasonable to reject a device that is too complicated, invasive, expensive, or unreliable.

The right technology should expand your choices—not take control away from you.

Related Guides

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