For many people, spending extra time with our households has turn out to be a precedence over the previous few years. But whereas there’s no scarcity of units, apps, and tech to assist join individuals wherever they’re on the earth, a few of us are extra comfy utilizing it than others.
Older family members and buddies, for instance, can usually really feel alienated by our fashionable technology-driven world. From being overwhelmed with hundreds of units to thousands and thousands of apps on provide, one thing that’s second nature for one particular person could also be an anxiety-inducing minefield for one more.
That’s why these of us who can navigate by the digital world with ease mustn’t solely use tech to raised join with those that really feel intimidated by it, but in addition spend a while serving to and instructing them, in order that they’ll acquire confidence and reap the identical advantages. Embracing the fitting expertise can considerably enrich lives, so we’ve rounded up just some examples that present those that haven’t grown up with smartphones and tablets can really feel empowered. Because information actually is energy.
It’s good to speak
Physical distance can usually result in emotional isolation, — one thing that the majority of us confronted in the course of the pandemic. Video conferencing platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams supplied a implausible method for family members to remain related, fostering a way of closeness no matter location. Allowing households to stay in contact in the course of the difficult instances of lockdowns and social distancing, thousands and thousands of individuals remained related to people who mattered most. From catching up on individuals’s days, to viewing grandchildren’s first steps, the worth of those instruments is priceless.
Thankfully, between the likes of Facetime, WhatsApp video, and different apps like Zoom, Google Meet, and extra, most individuals are aware of the way to keep in contact remotely. What’s usually not of their management nevertheless, is the standard of their connections.
EE’s Work Mode is an instance of expertise that may additional improve this expertise by prioritising bandwidth for video conferencing purposes. This ensures a smoother connection and minimises disruptions, resembling buffering or dropped calls, throughout these treasured digital interactions.
The better part although, is that it requires zero technical information. Simply flip it on with a press of a button within the EE app, and it’ll mechanically prioritise video calls over issues like streaming companies or on-line gaming, which may usually trigger dropped or laggy calls as all the pieces fights to share the connection. By offering video name apps with a bigger share of the bandwidth mechanically, customers will take pleasure in a extra secure and dependable connection for his or her necessary calls with family members.
New hobbies, new individuals
The web is a useful device relating to studying new hobbies. From numerous YouTube programs on all the pieces from woodworking to crocheting (and all the pieces in between), to on-line boards stuffed with passionate individuals, guiding older family members to the fitting on-line locations generally is a excellent solution to allow them to uncover new passions, or rekindle previous ones.
Being in a position to speak with like-minded individuals from world wide a few topic you’re excited about can foster a robust sense of group, whereas additionally offering a possibility to not solely be taught new issues, however share your individual information with others within the course of. Virtual areas can embody something from hobbyist boards and subreddits, to Discord teams and extra. These choices are all significantly precious for these with restricted mobility or well being issues that prohibit them from leaving dwelling.
Health is wealth
Technology has at all times performed a significant function in healthcare, however by no means earlier than has it positioned a lot energy straight into our fingers. Today, wearables like health trackers and smartwatches can monitor steps, coronary heart charge, and sleep patterns, encouraging a extra energetic way of life. Smart scales can monitor weight and physique composition, whereas different units like sensible ECG displays allow customers to watch their coronary heart well being at dwelling. There are numerous different examples too, from sensible blood stress displays, to air high quality displays, and far, way more.
Introducing these units to older family members and displaying them how they work can’t solely show helpful from a healthcare viewpoint, however may inspire them to give attention to their well being and wellbeing. Elsewhere, digital healthcare companies provide handy entry to medical experience, with out having to journey. Additionally, a wealth of on-line train courses, resembling yoga or light aerobics particularly designed for older adults, are available on websites like YouTube. Ultimately, there’s no scarcity of apps units, and on-line assets to assist individuals begin or progress on their well being journey — and it’s by no means too late to begin.
Peace of thoughts
Technology can provide a precious layer of safety and peace of thoughts for each older adults and their family members. Smart dwelling units, resembling Wi-Fi doorbells, safety cameras, and floodlights, enable for distant monitoring of a property. You may even signal into the identical account by yourself units, holding you within the loop with alerts of any suspicious goings-on.
Most programs resembling doorbells enable for two-way communication, letting you not solely (fairly actually) control guests, but in addition will let you speak to them too. This is especially helpful in cases the place chilly callers are an everyday nuisance, nevertheless it may also be a godsend when mixed with a sensible doorlock. With this mix, you may, for instance, confirm that the particular person ringing the doorbell is a carer, earlier than granting them entry remotely through the smartlock app.
Staying protected on-line
Physical safety apart, it’s additionally necessary to take on-line measures into consideration as properly, particularly in an age the place there’s no scarcity of nefarious on-line actors. EE’s Smart Hub Plus with Wi-Fi controls presents superior options like Web Protect and Safe Search, safeguarding customers from malicious web sites and on-line scams.
Web Protect acts as a digital guardian, actively blocking entry to recognized malicious web sites or phishing makes an attempt. Similarly, Safe Search filters be sure that search engine outcomes are applicable and free from dangerous content material. It’s all completed mechanically — simply flip them on in EE’s app, and so they’ll work their safety magic within the background, offering peace of thoughts for older adults who could also be significantly weak to on-line threats.
For extra data, be happy to go to ee.co.uk/home