Upgrading Tech for 50+ Upgrades Life

More people over age 50 are embracing technology. This can be a great thing for you, your family, and your lifestyle. High tech also is used in your future long-term care.

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Upgrading Tech for 50+ Upgrades Life
4 Min Read January 10th, 2020

Technology has been incorporated into every part of our lives in recent years, and these innovations continue day in and day out. Why? Good technology improves a part of life in one way or another, from increasing life expectancy to providing cat videos on demand.

After you've decided to invest in technology for a better life, sorting through all of the available products can become overwhelming. To make things easier for you, here are a few common problems seniors encounter each day, paired with available tech solutions. Improve your overall health and wellness today by picking up one of these products or learning how to use them.

Rely on Your Smartphone for Reminders and More

The older you get, the more complicated it becomes to get the necessary nutrients. Add on to that all the medication or supplements you're prescribed, and remembering everything can be a full-time job. Unload some of this information and use your smartphone and apps to track it all.

Setting a recurring reminder to take your medication or to attend your appointment is as simple as telling your phone about it. Apple's personal assistant, Siri, can help you make notes, set reminders, read and send emails, and make calls. Other smartphones might not have Siri, but their own personal assistant can help accomplish the same tasks.

Seniors can create a grocery list hands-free or browse the internet without typing on a keyboard. This can be helpful for the upcoming Medicare Open Enrollment. Between October 15 and December 7, read over your Plan's Annual Notice of Change, and compare your plan to others. Set a reminder to review your coverage with the free help of a professional.

Your smartphone's personal assistant can help tackle the most complicated tasks, leaving you to enjoy your day without fear of forgetting another pill or appointment. Using the tech tools around you can help maintain health, so you can start improving it.

Step Up Your Health with Wearable Technology

No matter how healthy a life you've lived, aging can affect your body in ways you never dreamt before. Daily activities might become strenuous or painful to complete as the years' pass, but you can negate or slow some effects with the use of wearable tech.

Fitness trackers are everywhere these days and for a good reason. A smartwatch that can also monitor your heart rate, track your steps, and act as an alarm keeps you in touch with your body's performance. A swipe of the watch screen gives you real-time information that you can use to make sure you hit your daily goals.

According to MBG Movement, walking can help lessen the physical effects of aging; the ideal number of steps per day is about 10,000. Since your data is tracked, you can see everything at once for a larger picture of your health. And if you can't get those steps in, consider alternatives.

Stick to It

Maybe your knees aren't cut out for 10,000 steps a day, or it's too hot or cold to be outdoors. In these cases, having a streaming device handy help you work out. Streaming sticks, which come in a variety of makes and price points, provide access to many different apps and channels full of workout content. With so many channels available to users, you're sure to find a workout channel that will work with your limitations and strengths. Since these are streamed, the picture is clear and in high definition, too. So, make no excuses.

Avoid Isolation

While your physical health is very important, remember to take care of your mental health as well. A large part of life is the social aspect of it, forming and maintaining connections with others. Stay connected to everyone through technology; use tablets, your laptop, or smartphone to have face-to-face conversations with loved ones no matter how far away they are.

Get involved with social media to stay up to date with everything your family members are up to, and make a few posts yourself. Seniors know better than anyone how quickly and drastically, things can change. With the help of technology, the changes can be much more manageable. 

Image via Pixabay

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About the Author

Kevin Wells has dedicated much time and energy to researching diabetes, and compiling tons of wonderful resources to help on his path to healthier living.

LTC News Contributor Kevin Wells

Kevin Wells

Contributor since March 19th, 2019

Editor's Note

Technology has changed how some long-term care services are delivered. This advanced tech gives you, and your family, additional options, especially if you desire to remain in your own home. 

The consequences of longevity will have an impact on you, your family, your savings and income, and your lifestyle and legacy. The chances you will need some type of long-term care services in your lifestyle are very high. The question is less an "if" you will need care but more a "when" and "how long."

Don't depend on a spouse or one of your kids or their spouses to become caregivers. Being a caregiver is no easy task. It presents a physical, emotional, and financial burden on the caregiver.

Paid care is costly. Even if you have a substantial amount of assets, it can be drained quickly because of the high cost of extended care.

People require long-term care due to illness, accident, or the impact of aging. Since health insurance, including Medicare and supplements, pay little or nothing toward this care, you will be responsible. 

This is where affordable Long-Term Care Insurance comes to play. It provides you with access to your choice of quality care. You can receive care in your own home or a facility like assisted living. Policies pay for all levels of types of care once you qualify for benefits. 

Many Long-Term Care Insurance policies will also have benefits for some technology to help you remain independent and at home. 

However, you can't wait until your 78 to get a policy in place. The best time to obtain coverage is in your 40s or 50s when you still enjoy good health. Premiums are based, in part, by your age, health, family history, and the total amount of benefit you wish to have in place. Long-Term Care Insurance is custom designed specific to you.

Every insurance company has their own rules regarding underwriting. Plus, premiums can vary dramatically for the exact same coverage depending on the insurance company you are comparing. Working with an experienced and trusted Long-Term Care Insurance specialist is essential to advance planning. Most financial advisors have little experience and expertise in this area and typically only work with one or two companies. General insurance agents usually don't have a grasp on these products and how they should be designed. A specialist will help you find the best coverage at the best value.

Start your research by seeing both the current and future costs of long-term care services where you live now. You can also review potential areas you might move to in the future. The LTC NEWS cost of care calculator should be your first stop. Click here and find your area. https://www.ltcnews.com/resources/states 

Then find a trusted LTC Insurance specialist by clicking here. https://www.ltcnews.com/support/work-with-a-specialist 

Give your family the time to be family and not have to endure the stress and burden of being a caregiver. Plus, protect your savings, income, lifestyle, and legacy. Start your research on affordable Long-Term Care Insurance now.

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