A growing number of seniors are using tablets to stay connected with their children, grandchildren, and friends. Easier to use than a computer or smartphone, tablets are enabling seniors to share experiences on social media, find stories and games that interest them, and even to learn new skills and keep track of their medications.
Even so, it can be difficult to both learn to use a tablet for the first time and optimize it for your needs and uses. In this post, we’ll walk you through how to set up a tablet for your loved one so they can stay engaged with your family and with their community.
We’ll also explore the benefits of technology for seniors and how they are using this technology to improve their quality of life, and we’ll walk you through helpful tips for teaching them to use a tablet for the first time.
Over a third of seniors own tablets today
A number of challenges face seniors when it comes to technology, from tangible physical barriers and usability issues, to lack of instructions and guidance, to lack of confidence and comfort learning new gadgets. And yet, according to a study from Pew Research, once seniors get online, they engage at high levels with devices and content.
Over a third of seniors already own tablets today and are using them to stay connected to their loved ones and friends as part of their daily routine. They’re also using tablets to stay active, track medications, or even work on their memory.
Tablets are smaller, lighter, and simpler to learn than computers. Conversely, the screen is larger than a smartphone, making it easier to navigate using the touch screen. Tablets also have a lower price-point, making them more affordable than many other devices. A number of quickly customizable features also increases ease of use for seniors, such as font size and screen resolution.
“From technology-assisted home-care services such as Honor to hardware products such as grandPad’s tablet for seniors (, with a magnifying glass and simplified apps), businesses are seeking to tap into a booming population of older adults and help them tackle a critical challenge of modern aging: social isolation” says Seung Lee of the Mercury News.
Because of this growing market and need, new tablets and apps are coming out that remove the complexities of smartphones and laptops so seniors can easily navigate to the tools they want to use most. Some of the most popular uses of tablets by seniors include phone and video calls, photo sharing, social media, and games that they can play with family in other locations.
“A lot of our residents at Weatherly Inn are using technology. We have a few computers set up in our library that many of them use, but tablets are an easy and portable solution enabling residents to maintain regular communication with family and friends, whether down the road or across the state.” says Weatherly Inn Life Enrichment Director, Josh Magana
If you’re interested in hands-on help, Weatherly Inn’s activities department helps residents and families with classes or individual help.
What are the benefits of using a tablet?
Staying connected to family and friends increases quality of life and reduces isolation and depression that some seniors experience as they lose mobility.
One group of high school students in In Saline, Michigan conducted on-camera interviews with seniors showing signs of memory loss in order to capture their life story. The videos, loaded onto tablets for the seniors, are now used by them to revisit their memories and start conversations with guests.
Beyond a reduction in social isolation, seniors are using tablets to track their medications, set reminders, and play games.
There are a number of options when it comes to choosing a tablet for your aging parent or loved one, including several designed specifically for seniors. Assisted Living Today has a helpful resource on the top ten recommended tablets and accessories for seniors. Some online research can be helpful, but ultimately the tablet you purchase should fit the needs, features, and budget of your loved one, so you may want to consult with them or bring them along. Allow them to try a couple to see which works best for them.
Although more and more seniors are using tablets, many can still benefit from assistance getting started. According to a study from Pew, most seniors say they need help using electronic devices. You can help by setting up their tablet so that they have a smooth transition to its use.
Here are several easy steps you can make to set up a tablet for your aging loved one:
First, increase the font size and adjust the default screen zoom on the tablet so that all of the text will be readable.
The zoom feature magnifies the entire screen, and is often useful for seniors using tablets or smartphones.
If the senior that will be using the tablet has difficulty navigating the screen with the standard pinch and zoom motions, you may want to consider enabling the assistive touch feature. This creates a menu that they can navigate with a tap instead.
Although text-assist features can be helpful, for some users they can be distracting or even confusing.
One common challenge for senior tablet users is remembering passwords and usernames. You can help to prevent loss of access to their tablet or favorite apps by storing their usernames, passwords, and security questions in a safe location. That might be a small notebook or note card with all of their important login information written on it and stored in their desk, or could be a password protection tool that helps them by auto-filling their login information when they use remembered sites.
Begin by setting up a user account for them on the tablet.
In addition, several apps have been created to help users keep track of login information across platforms. We’ll explore apps that assist with password security and memory in one of our next blog posts.
You may enable location sharing so that the tablet can be tracked down on a map in the case of being lost or misplaced.
No matter how you customize the tablet, its most important feature is simplicity. Take a look at the screen once you’re done setting it up to ensure that the most important apps and features are easy to find and use. Minimize or hide any apps that won’t be used regularly into folders or secondary screens so that the home screen is simple to navigate.
Now that the tablet is set up, it’s important to walk through it with the senior who will be using the device. Stick to the basics to keep it fun and easy. It may even make sense to cover the information over several conversations.
Note: Because most touch screens respond to the electricity in your hand, dry or callused skin may cause them to be less responsive to certain people. If your loved one has this issue, you can try using a water-based moisturizer or using a stylus.
Now that you have your tablet set up for your loved one, keep an eye on our blog for a guide to the best apps and tools to make it even more fun and engaging.
If you have any questions about setting up a tablet for your loved ones, or other benefits of technology for seniors, please let us know and we’ll help you find the answer.