The 64-dollar Question for Seniors: Is Social Networking Good for You? By Stefanie Jeanne

A couple of years ago, the first batch of the so-called baby boomers turned 65 years old. The baby boomers are not a demographic group to be trifled with?they have money, education, and therefore, much spending power. What the industry knows is that the boomers control about 70% of the total net worth of all American households, which can be roughly translated into something like $7 trillion. Considering that half of adults 65 years old and older are online or are regular users of the Internet or online services, seniors are particularly a huge force online. One in three of such online seniors are identified as avid users of social networks such as Facebook and Twitter.

And in First World countries such as the USA, we?re speaking of tens of millions of people belonging in this particular demographic group. What?s more, the number of seniors that regularly use social networking sites continues to grow by leaps and bounds?from April 2009 to late 2011, the percentage of seniors using such sites grew from 33% to 150%.

But why? The answer may be complicated for some, but it is still more or less plain and simple: seniors need to connect with other people, and social networking sites are giving them a chance to stay "in society" and a new sense of purpose.

Social interaction?s benefit to seniors

According to a recent article that appeared in the Science Times, a third of seniors 75 years old and older live alone or independently. But not because we have grown older that we no longer seek out social interaction, especially with other like-minded peers. In fact, the results of several studies suggest that social and mental stimulation can be good for the over-all well-being of seniors. And this opportunity to interact?albeit on a global scale, where national boundaries are more or less non-existent?is what?s encouraging seniors to flock to social networking sites such as Facebook or MySpace or Twitter and "hit it with the gang."

One of the hard "facts of life" that a senior has to face as he grows older is the reality of his own diminishing circle of friends and acquaintances?friends get sick and die, our spouse pass on, our own children leave to start their own families and lead their own lives. Before the internet, most seniors basically had no other means of forging a new social network other than, say, going to the public park striking friendship with that other guy playing chess in the morning fog. But with social networking sites, seniors suddenly find themselves in a new play ground where their physical limitations basically do not matter?just as long as you have internet connection, can type and use a pointing device, you?re in. And the task of getting online has even become much easier with touch-screen tablet devices such as the iPad?even seniors who are averse to gadgets can quickly find their way into the internet without the usually painful learning curve associated with the use of conventional computers.

The "one-click and you?re there" magic

Online forums or Facebook groups can feel like their real-world counterparts in terms of how people share information or exchange friendly banter with one another. The online version, however, are much easier to organize or assemble?a webcam "meeting" can be setup in a few minutes, and there are no restrictions on what kind of topic you might want to discuss. In essence, the experience is like the daily chit-chat at the local cafe, except more people from all over the world can participate. Moreover, the opportunity to meet other people from different cultures can also bring in a fresh new perspective on the often jaded outlook of most seniors?the delight in discovering that there appears to be things they have yet to discover may stimulate their enthusiasm in the sheer business of living.

Virtual reality?especially the kind that elevates social interaction to hitherto unrealized levels?is said to be the future of aging in our society. More and more seniors are enthusiastically discovering how to send an email, interact with others through chat or by blogging. You may be living alone, regularly assisted by a visiting caregiver and armed with your own medical alarm device, but you?re not really isolated. And as long as the hours spent online are balanced with real-world physical efforts such as engaging in stretching exercises and eating the right food, you?re in good company.

Elements of an Easy, Safe Modern Living: Medical Alarm and Other Advanced Products for Seniors By Stefanie Jeanne

Aside from the more common senior-targeted products such as the medical alarm and other medication-related automatic dispensers, there are several other products that can help you ensure a happy, safe modern living for your aging parent.

Apple?s iPad: well, aside from being a highly popular gadget, Apple?s iPad (the touch-screen tablet computer that has revolutionized and pumped new vigor into what used to be a lack-luster market) has also been found by researchers in Tokyo, Japan to be particularly very helpful for seniors. The iPad is so easy to use, and its interface is highly intuitive?even people with no prior experience with computers can delight in using the tablet. With currently hundreds of thousands of applications that can be downloaded on the iPad, the functionalities of this tablet computer are further extended?there is practically an application out there for everything a person might need, and there is a category of apps that are designed specifically for the usage of seniors.

Automatic medication management: a common challenge for seniors is the increasing difficulty in managing a growing number of daily maintenance medications. The situation is serious enough (any simple mistake in taking the wrong pill or taking the right pill in incorrect dosages could mess up a senior?s fragile physical constitution) that it has warranted many products that provide assistance in this area. One such product is the E-pill Cadex 12 Alarm Medication Reminder Watch and Medical ID. Yes, it is a digital watch with so many other useful functionalities designed to help the senior to always do the right thing when it comes to medication. Wearing the E-pill Cadex 12 watch means the senior can keep tabs of which medicine to take at what time of the day?its alarm reminder is easy to program and can accept up to 12 medication alarms a day. Not only that, the watch?s face also displays the name of the pill to take. It also serves as a medical ID, which allows the user to store vital medical information such as existing allergies, blood type, phone numbers for health insurance, and existing medical conditions?such information can be very handy in the event of an emergency.

"Talking" devices: "talking" devices are gadgets or tools that inform the user audibly. Such devices are especially useful for seniors whose sense of vision is diminishing or at least not as sharp as it used to be. A good example of such a talking device is a digital talking thermometer?the good ones can "say" the temperature reading while providing a clear visual display. There is also a Talking Rx Prescription Reader, which is basically a self-contained unit that records the patient?s prescription instructions (as provided by the caregiver, doctor or pharmacist), and all the user has to do is press a red button to listen to the recording. This "talking" functionality is also extended in certain devices in the kitchen?there is a talking microwave oven, for example, that features a speaking countdown timer to ensure accurate timing for any possible purpose.

Grip extension tools: accidental falls is becoming increasingly common among seniors, and one good way to avoid it is by giving seniors the option to not physically try too hard. This is where products like the Ettore Grip ?n Grab comes in?by extending a person?s reach, seniors would not have to stand on a stool in order to get to hard to reach places in their house. The grabber features a pivoting rubberized head, and gripping can work both ways?it can be used to get things in high location, as well as pick up things from the floor (if bending down is difficult for the senior).

Medical alarm: as we?ve said, this is a device that is simply a must-have for all seniors, especially for those who live alone. A personal alarm device?wearable as a bracelet of necklace pendant?makes it possible for the wearer to get instant help in the event of any emergency, medical or not.

Thanks to the countless advances in technology and the innovation of product designers, there are many products available in the market now that significantly extend a senior?s capabilities and help ensure their safety.

Alarm Services Help Seniors Stay Independent By James Davies

No one said ageing was easy but just like taxes is something most of us cannot avoid.

For many, the biggest frustration once we officially cross the threshold of middle-age to old-age is growing physical infirmity.

The mind may still be active but the body can let us down. Thankfully, due to medical advances and more information on healthy lifestyles, generally people are staying fitter for longer, but nevertheless, there may come a time when we struggle with once easy day-to-day activities.

But for many, it's no longer a case of having relatives hectoring you to head into a home in your twilight years.

Elderly people are in fact able to retain their independence longer thanks to personal alarm monitored services.

These personal alarm systems allow the elderly to have an alarm button worn as a pendant around their neck, or as a wristband or on their belt, so should anything untoward happen, like a fall in the bathroom, then help is at hand at any time day or night.

Pendant alarm systems carry a unique id so that any 24/7 care response teams immediately knows who it is using the remote alarm.

What's more, they will have any relevant medical information at hand about the person using the alarm. They will immediately call back on the alarm unit to speak to the person but if they are unable to get to the unit, the care response team then alert predefined key holders that the person may be in distress.

Additionally, they then alert emergency services should medical attention be required. The upshot of these pendant alarm monitored services is clearly peace of mind, not only for elderly individuals but their relatives too. It allows people to prolong their independence but always have help at hand when it is needed.

And, unlike entering a home, they are relatively lo-cost options that similarly are easy to install. That's not to say a home can always be avoided.

This depends on the general well-being of each individual but for many who remain relatively mentally and physically active, it's simply a precaution especially should an elderly individual be living alone, that at the press of their pendant alarm, help will be at hand almost immediately.

With people living longer, and being healthier for longer, alarm monitored systems are a way of helping to facilitate such independence longer, which is surely a good thing for added security, and allowing us to live the way we want to live for longer.