Is Health Now So Reliant On Tech-Literacy That We're Leaving Our Seniors At Risk?

Since inventions like wearable technology that can track our health, we’ve been using our devices for a lot more than simple enjoyment. Now, health and tech are closely linked, and this crossover only grew during the pandemic, when online bookings and virtual health appointments became so much of a norm that it was immediately obvious the change was here to stay.

But, when tech literacy is so closely tied to well-being, are we also leaving some areas of our population at risk? For seniors, especially, this increased reliance on technology for health could spell trouble. In this article, we’ll consider why that is, and what we can do about it.

When Health and Tech Collide

When you think about health and tech, what comes to mind? Booking online with your doctor, perhaps, or do you think of wearable tech like smart rings that track everything from your daily ‘readiness’ to your heart rate and sleep patterns? These are all well-known options, but did you know that health and tech crossovers also go a whole lot deeper?

There are now all manner of health tech devices, and they range from app-controlled vibrating therapy mats to biosensors like glucose monitors. Even everyday healthcare solutions like hearing aids now come complete with Bluetooth and app controls, while products like Ray-Ban’s smart glasses are literally changing the world of eye care.

If you want the best for your health right now, then we’re betting tech will be involved somewhere. And therein lies the problem for seniors who might not even feel confident with a smartphone.

Can Education Help?

Of course, this isn’t a niche concern – healthcare professionals are fully aware of the care divide that seniors now face, which is why phone lines remain open. Communities are also increasingly focusing on technological education, and that helps a little.

But is it enough?

 

A More Sustainable Answer

We don’t think so. After all, for older seniors facing significant health setbacks, attending courses like these simply isn’t practical. Instead, we need a more immediate way to bridge that divide, while still allowing our seniors to make the most of tech-health benefits.

Luckily, there are now plenty of products out there that promise to do precisely this. Perhaps the most prevalent of these are wearable devices like the Life Assure personal medical alarm for elderly patients, which is pre-programmed with VoIP compatibility, long-ranging connectivity, and automated fall detection, all without the need for complicated setups or any real tech knowledge at all.

And this isn’t the only device providing those benefits. Other options are also emerging on the market, including pre-loaded smart medication dispensers, proactive AI companions, and even assisted living products that make it easier for loved ones to check in and spot sudden routine changes.

Are seniors at risk of getting left behind as tech literacy becomes tied to health? Perhaps, but it’s also true that senior-specific advancements that work independently stand to both solve that problem and provide untold benefits of their own. So why not give them a go?