Cantissimo Senior Living Blog

A study by the Pew Research Center found that technology use among Americans 65 and over has grown in recent years:

• Smartphone ownership climbed from 18% in 2013 to 42% in 2017.
• Internet usage with broadband technology rose from 14% in 2000 to over 65% in 2017
• Tablets were owned by 18% in 2013, but this increased to 32% in 2017

The same study asked for a reaction to the statement, "When I get a new electronic device, I usually need someone else to set it up or show me how to use it." Of the total respondents:

• 48% said the statement described them "Very Well,"
• 25% said it described them "Somewhat Well."

Those responses would be no surprise to younger, more tech-savvy family members. It's common today for older adults to call upon the under 65 generations to help troubleshoot "computer" problems. Older adults often were introduced to computers, smartphones, and other devices later in life. Lacking lifelong experience with such technology, some seniors find these innovations baffling.

With the onslaught of COVID-19, the situation for technology-challenged seniors worsened for two reasons. First, demand skyrocketed for high-tech products and services. Most senior living facilities severely curtailed visitors to protect their vulnerable populations. As a result, many seniors turned to technology to stay in touch with family and friends, shop, find entertainment, or keep up with current events.

Second, the ability of relatives or friends to provide in-person technical support evaporated due to visiting restrictions. Facility staff members rarely can help since they must prioritize essential direct care work and are not trained to troubleshoot technical problems. As a result, older users of technology become frustrated by even the most fundamental glitches.

One option for coping with this dilemma may be to enlist the help of an information technology (IT) support company. These range from large organizations like Best Buy's Geek Squad to smaller, local companies. One such company is Premier IT, headquartered in Maple Grove, Minnesota. Premier IT offers information technology support services to businesses and individuals. In a conversation with Premier IT President Alan Altepeter, he described how an IT support company can help senior technology users.

Whether you live with your grandchildren or are visiting via Zoom or other virtual meeting tools, there are many fun and engaging things that can be done with your grandchildren. These activities can be teaching experiences in many ways. Even the youngest grandchild will do well listening to your voice as you tell stories or read to them. To help get you started, here are some of my favorite activities to do with grandchildren, even if we are not in the same room:

Cellular phones and access to the internet has drastically changed the lives of people across the world. For the first time in history, humans can communicate with each other and access answers to questions instantly, from pretty much anywhere. The benefits are vast and incredible. At the same time, while older adults are using the internet and smartphones more frequently, there are risks.

Internet and phone scams have become a growing issue as technology has evolved and become more advanced. Scammers use internet software to take advantage of people by using fraud schemes that trick people into giving them money. In 2018, the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center received 351,936 complaints of internet and phone crimes, accounting for more than 2.7 billion dollars in losses. Of all scam victims, seniors are targeted more than any other age group because they tend to have more time and willingness to listen. They are also often more sympathetic and trusting than younger generations.

Scammers use various tactics, such as acting friendly, helpful, or sympathetic, to get people to fall for their schemes. In some cases, scammers inflict fear on their victims to scare them into paying them. Scammers are aware that many older adults have a lot of money in their savings accounts after retirement. They are also considered low-risk targets because these scams often go unnoticed and unreported due to the lack of technical knowledge.

The best way to avoid internet and phone scams is to be aware of common scams, including the top ten scams targeting seniors, found by the National Council on Aging (NCOA). It is then easier to identify and avoid falling for these scams:

The holidays are coming up! For many of us, that means it's time to shop and get everyone the perfect gifts. With the presence of the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing restrictions, this year, shopping online is the way to go! Don't worry; you can still save money! In fact, shopping online provides many unique opportunities to ensure you are getting the best possible price. Read on to learn about seven different ways you can squeeze every penny out of your online shopping experience.

Save Money on Gifts with These 7 Online Shopping Tips!

In our recent blog (Participating in the Gig Economy: Part 1 - Driver and Delivery Jobs), we reviewed the gig economy and job opportunities involving driving and delivery. In this blog, we will outline gig economy jobs related to corporate and freelance work. While driving jobs can be a great way to get out of the house and make your own work schedule, there are many work opportunities within the gig economy.

Within the past five years, the number of freelance workers in the United States increased from 53 to 57 million. 61% of those freelancers went into this work by choice for the many benefits. Twenty-five percent of freelancers say their ideal work environment is at home. Twenty-five percent also say they can find work within 24 hours. More than half of freelancers say they will never go back to traditional work because of the vast opportunities and flexibility.

Many people choose to work after retirement, whether to stay busy, be social, stay active, or make some extra money. The gig economy has many opportunities for older adults looking for post-retirement work.

The gig economy consists of part-time workers, independent contractors, freelance workers, and seasonal employees. Having a job in the gig economy provides flexibility for those who don't want to be held down by a strict or busy work schedule.

The gig economy began in the 1940s with part-time work during World War II but has expanded substantially due to the rise of technology. As of 2017, freelance workers accounted for more than one-third of the U.S. workforce. By 2027, the proportion is estimated to be over 50%.

Today, older adults alone make up 37 percent of all gig economy workers. Although many workers participate in the gig economy to fill their time, there is also an economic advantage. For workers ages 65 and older, independent contractors had the highest median weekly earnings in 2017, sometimes earning, on average, thirty percent of their pre-retirement income.

If the benefits of working in the gig economy sound attractive, there are many different opportunities to investigate to find the right fit. In this blog, the focus is on driver and delivery jobs. Be sure to also check out Part 2: Freelance Work. 

Driver and Delivery Jobs in the Gig Economy

One of the principal factors in maintaining independence for older adults is the ability to drive a car. Yet, drivers 65 and older are 16% more likely to cause an accident compared to drivers 25-64. With age, health conditions may arise that affect vision, cognition, and movement, which can pose a higher risk while operating a vehicle. Even though some seniors may be healthy and capable enough to drive, the fragility of an older body is more susceptible to injury and fatality during a crash. Although it is common to resist giving up the independence of driving, there are alternative transportation options available that provide various perks.

By giving up driving, the cost of a car, car insurance, gas, and maintenance are eliminated. Using alternative forms of transportation instead of driving can save someone over $10,000 a year. In addition to saving money, not having a car allows for more exercise such as walking or biking. This provides an opportunity to feel more connected to the world and surroundings. Saving money, staying active, and being more connected to the community are healthy and safe ways to remain independent while using alternative transportation options.

As the fall comes to an end, the harsh and sometimes unforgiving months of winter set in. The first snowfalls of the year are exciting and enchanting. However, it is essential to remember that the winter season brings inherent risks to safety and wellness. Prepare accordingly to ensure you have a pleasant and safe winter!

In recent blogs, we have reviewed social media and how to get started with popular networks. Although social media has been continuously rising in popularity for the past sixteen years, web forums were an early way to communicate online, and they continue to be widely used today.

Web forums are sections of a website that allows users to post messages to an online discussion board. Most web forums can be viewed by anyone anonymously without having to create an account, making it easy to find help online through advice from real people. Although web forums are most commonly used online by random users, they are also becoming a more common mode of communication for work and school as private web forums rise in popularity.

While the digital age has many advantages, it also has many downfalls, especially for older adults. Continuous exposure to screens can cause significant harm to our eyes and vision. In this post, we'll review several tips to help take care of your eyes. These simple tips will enhance and preserve your vision if you spend time in front of the screen.

First, let's look at major eye problems associated with aging: