Technology can help aging adults manage their physical health and financial assets. It can even bring new income opportunities to life for retirees. However, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the number of tools and applications available. The key is to assess which ones suit your needs and how to use them safely. Software, hardware, and other devices must make sense in your home and play well with your existing tech.
By planning specific goals ahead of time, you can find the best options to support your lifestyle. When used wisely, these can benefit your health and wellness and help you strategically manage finances.
Use Technology to Support Health and Wellness
Technology offers many options to support your physical health. This is ideal in a post-pandemic world because it means more services are available virtually, reducing your need for long drives to the doctor’s office when you’re sick.
But remote, or telehealth, services are not the only way technology can support you. Modern devices can help you monitor and maintain your health and help you create a fitness program from the comfort of your home.
Telehealth Services
Telehealth services allow you to visit your doctor via video and get virtual treatment rather than risking further germ exposure with an in-person visit. You can also consult with medical specialists that are out of state. Telehealth is not just limited to medical care. It encompasses medical documentation, appointment notification, and even remote counseling sessions for mental wellness.
However, you should take steps to mitigate the problems associated with telehealth.
- Patients should have a reliable and secure internet provider before sharing sensitive information online. They should also set up their computer station, by using computer mounts or standing desks, so that their doctor can easily see them.
- Virtual services can be confusing and frightening for some people, especially dementia or Alzheimer’s patients. Being aware of this ahead of time and preparing accordingly is essential.
- Patients with a language barrier may also struggle with telehealth services. Asking for technological assistance and requesting a translator before the appointment can help address this.
Telehealth is a great option for many healthcare services. However, it is important to visit your doctor in person, from time to time. For example, if you want to begin a fitness routine, a physical will help your doctor determine which activities are best for you and if you should be monitored for health concerns.
Monitor Health and Personal Fitness
Technology also helps older adults manage personal health and fitness. For example, modern medical devices perform tasks like reading your blood sugar levels without getting pricked. And there’s plenty of wearable tech that measures just about any bodily function.
The area where this really shines is technology that monitors heart health. Today’s smartwatches have sensors that can measure many variables, such as heart rate and abnormal rhythms, and report this information directly to your doctor. Other medical technology includes automated external defibrillators (AEDs), often found in offices, malls, gyms, and other public locations. Or, you can purchase a portable electrocardiogram machine for your home to monitor your heart whenever you like.
Technology also helps you create a workout area in your home rather than investing in a costly gym membership. You can make use of your garage for home workouts by opting to take online plyometric or yoga classes. You can also opt for family-friendly cardio workouts. If you are looking to make use of technology in your exercise routine, you can try the following:
- Opt for electronic bikes and treadmills that connect to the internet, allowing you to directly access a trainer or fitness class. Programmable levels, backgrounds, and optional equipment provide a wide range of exercise in most devices.
- Try space-saving equipment that allows you to get a full-body workout for a great price, like the HealthMate Pivot Stepper. This is ideal if you have a smaller, down-sized living space but still want a rigorous workout.
- Use an activity or fitness tracker to log how many steps you take while you are moving including how many calories you’ve burned. This lets you set goals, such as 5,000 steps per day, to ensure you get enough movement every day.
There are numerous options for monitoring your health and fitness in a way that best suits you. The only thing missing is an excuse to avoid a workout because you couldn’t get to the gym.
Manage Financial Goals with Technology
Technology can help retirees manage their money, including setting monetary goals and keeping on budget. This includes monitoring financial assets, maintaining Medicare plans, and using technology to earn post-retirement income.
Managing Your Money and Medicare Coverage
Secure banking apps help you track where your money goes. These apps are separate from the online services your bank offers. They connect to your accounts, allow you to set up a budget, and contact you when you go over. They also alert you to questionable activity, helping ensure that your funds are safe and secure.
Apps can also help you manage your health insurance, including Medicare. Medicare offers an app that lets you explore coverage options to keep track of any out-of-pocket costs. You can also compare plans when you want to choose additional coverage, such as Medicare Supplemental or Advantage plans.
Using Tech to Earn Side Money
Retirement doesn’t mean you can’t earn side money. But you don’t have to start a new corporate career either. Instead, you can make money from the hobbies you love. There are plenty of interesting retirement hobbies that allow you to earn extra cash, including:
- Outdoor activities, such as beekeeping and gardening.
- Working with your hands, like restoring furniture or classic cars.
- Arts-based activities, such as photography or crafting.
- Food-based work, including cooking/baking and brewing your own craft beers.
You can start where your expertise or passion is or learn a new skill. Technology can help you set up a shop, promote your products, and close sales. For example, you can create an e-commerce site to sell your products and then market your endeavors on social media.
Keeping Your Data Safe
There are benefits to using technology for better living but also many dangers. Older adults should employ proper security to safeguard their money, health information, and privacy. Protect yourself online with these precautions:
- Never open any unfamiliar link, email, pop-up, or attachment. It can be spam or a malicious email designed to “phish,” or steal, your data and corrupt your system.
- Don’t answer any calls from unrecognized callers. They may be “spoofing”, or mimicking, your trusted providers to steal your identity or data.
- Always use secure systems when sharing sensitive data. You can set up a private network, or VPN, to safely share information over the internet with your bank, healthcare providers, and other systems.
Common sense is the bottom line here. If it looks suspicious, it probably is. Take all the measures you need to secure your online activities.
Aging adults can leverage technology to improve their lives, especially their health, money management, and extra income. Take practical measures to keep your data secure whenever you are online. With a little planning and a lot of precaution, technology can help you live your best life after retirement.
