Seniors receiving home health care may benefit from access to the internet. The web can provide them with many resources, from ordering takeout easily to looking up the weather and learning about chronic health conditions. Many seniors are unsure how to navigate the internet Here’s how you can help them make the most of the world wide web.

How to Help an Older Adult Use the Internet

1. Use a Touch Screen

Family members and home health care aides might notice that issues like arthritis contribute to difficulty using the internet because typing is painful. Opt for a device with a touchscreen, which is easier to manipulate and often preferred by individuals with finger mobility trouble. Medium sensitivity is ideal so they don’t get frustrated if they accidentally brush the screen with a finger and find the website they were viewing is suddenly gone. You may be able to adjust this feature in the settings of a tablet or smartphone.

2. Talk Privacy

Seniors grew up in an age where they didn’t have to worry about passwords or online privacy. Teach them how to create a strong password complete with letters and numbers. Write it down somewhere they can easily find and keep a copy for yourself and the home health care provider.

Also, discuss what internet privacy means. Make sure the senior is aware that anything they post online can be seen by strangers and discourage them from ever sharing personal information, such as their social security number. 

3. Get Social

Many seniors want to use the internet so they can talk to friends and relatives. From trying out video chat to see out-of-state grandchildren to uploading photos of therapy dogs, the internet provides a perfect platform for a host of fun interactions. Set up a social media or email account so they can talk with those they love.

Lifetime Care has tended to the seniors of New York’s Finger Lakes region for nearly 60 years. Their compassionate and respectful caregivers are well-trained to provide high-quality respite and home health care. With five locations, the organization assists over 33,00 hospice and homebound patients and has won numerous prestigious awards for their service, including being named a Top Agency of the 2016 HomeCare Elite®. To learn about how your senior loved one could benefit from working with Lifetime Care, call (585) 214-1000 or visit the website.