Tech Talk
By Tak Sato
When I arrived in Cleveland in the late ‘80s, I became a fan of David Letterman and his Top 10 lists. Today, I don’t have time to watch TV but thanks to YouTube, I stream the monologues of late-night hosts such as Colbert, Maher and Oliver that I can watch any time. Priceless for a big laugh to end the day.
As we head into the holiday giving season, I flirted with creating my own Top 10 “Technology Gifts” list but ultimately decided against it. Go online and Google it if you need gadget gifting ideas; the digital world is full of lists.
A Few Ideas
Whatever technology gadget you decide to gift, there is one critical accessory that needs to accompany it. It doesn’t cost you anything and it is especially valuable if the recipient is intimidated by technology. More on this below.
Working closely with seniors to help them discover digital literacy, a necessary life skill of the 21st Century, I recognize that more Boomers and even Gen Xers like myself are taking care of our older family members.
The risk of falling is a very real threat, as it has the potential to break more than bones. There are many fall-prevention resources but just like any kind of accidents, falls happen when least expected. On that note, I always wondered why there were limited options for fall-detection consumer devices.
Putting aside the financial/budgetary concerns, Apple’s smartwatch Series 4 that debuted in late 2018, has “fall detection” baked into it. Upon detection of a fall but without the wearer stopping the alarm within a fixed time, it automatically dials 911. There is even an option that doesn’t require a nearby iPhone, making it a real Dick Tracy watch.
Connections
Another technology gift that makes my very short list is Smart Displays. For our family elders who may be aging in place alone, succumbing to loneliness or social isolation is another risk. If falls are detrimental to elders’ health and wellbeing, social isolation and loneliness can lead to depression and other ailments. Gifting a Smart Display that can run an off-the-shelf messaging app with video chat like Google’s Duo may help older adults feel connected to family and friends without leaving their homes.
What is that one critical accessory that I mentioned earlier? Nothing is more valuable than the gift of tutelage. Spending time to explain the features and functions while showing older adults how to use the gadget you give is good for everyone. Trust me on this. I’ve heard more than once about well-meaning givers’ gifts that were never opened because the recipient didn’t know what to do with them.
Tak Sato is a founder of the Cleveland-area nonprofit, Center for Aging in the Digital World (empowerseniors.org), that teaches digital literacy to people 50+ through the free Discover Digital Literacy program.
