10.19.10
Seniors: Seeing the Grandchildren Face to Face
Last year, we wrote about the advantages that seniors can have by getting a computer. The top reason, for many elders is this: they can see the grandkids. Believe me, I know this is true. My parents, who live two thousand miles away, immediately perk up when I pop up on Skype. They get so excited by the prospect of talking to my four kids. I get excited that they are excited. Technology is cool, isn’t it?
Well, I want to add something to that, because I know that buying a laptop is still overkill for many senior citizens. No matter how many frills you eliminate, it is still a complex computer at the end of the day. And it is a big leap for many. Too big a leap, even for the benefits of email and conferencing.
[ad#ad-1]
An Easier Way to See the Grandchildren, “Face to Face”
In the past year, there has been a real breakthrough that we consumers have been waiting for for years: mobile video conferencing. The iPhone 4 got to it first, I think, delivering a way for two iPhone owners to see each other while they are talking. They use a program called “Face to Face.” Other companies have already followed suit. Soon, every smart phone will be including this option.
I don’t want to get too technical here. But I wanted to point out what a great opportunity this is for seniors who don’t want to get a computer. I think about it now because a good buddy of mine just convinced his mother to buy and iPhone 4 for this very reason. Yep, grandkids. She wanted to be able to talk to the grandkids. And now, because my friend has one, too, she can see the little preciouses with just a couple of finger swipes.
Now wait, you say. Mobile phones can be complicated for seniors, too! And yes, this is true. But they are becoming simpler and more intuitive with each passing month. The iPhone, especially, is easy to maneuver. The touch screen interface is bright, and the icons are easy to distinguish. It really does only take a few seconds to be up and running. If they are in an Assisted Living FL community or in a Texas elderly care community or in any other state, it will be even easier, since there are plenty of people there to help them get set up. It really is so much easier than a laptop!
And the fact is, seniors need some form of communication anyway. Senior cell phone use has skyrocketed in recent years, if only because people our age are worried about our parents. So if they have one already, or if you are ready to help them find one, consider getting them a phone that has video conferencing capabilities. Something like an iPhone 4.