“Senior-friendly” and “technology” might seem like mutually exclusive terms, but that may not always be the case, especially when the technologies are simple and easy to use. Rather than writing off technology for seniors, consider these senior-friendly tech steps to help seniors embrace technology at home.
Choose the right technologies
One of the quickest ways to turn a senior off to new technologies is to choose complex options that require ongoing help from others. To start off on the right foot, begin with simple, senior-friendly tech that accomplishes a goal with little intervention.
One example is smart speakers, which have become ubiquitous in many homes. Once installed, all a senior has to do is speak, and the results are instantaneous. Smart speakers can also provide emergency assistance, such as calling an operator, family member, and in some cases, 911. For help choosing the right smart speakers for yourself or a loved one, check out the pcmag.com article, “The Best Smart Speakers for 2026.”
Another senior-friendly tech option is a video doorbell, which allows a senior to see who is at their door from their phone or tablet and keep an eye out for deliveries and unwelcome strangers. For a breakdown of video doorbells, take a look at the nytimes.com article, “The Best Smart Doorbell Camera.”
For more senior-friendly tech options, the wirecutter.com article “The Best Tech Gear to Help Aging in Place” looks at technologies for health and safety, home security, communications, and accessibility and convenience.
Check out senior-friendly tech accessibility options
Senior-friendly tech options can also help seniors who have declining vision and/or hearing. Known as “assistive technologies,” these include wearable and handheld devices that can make life better and safer at home.
One of the most obvious is the cell phone, which is often key to using many other senior-friendly tech devices. Finding a cell phone that enables a visually- or hearing-impaired senior to use it and other technologies easily is often a first step to simplifying the whole process.
For an overview of the best cell phones for the visually impaired, check out the seniorliving.org article “The Best Cell Phones for Visually Impaired Seniors in 2026, Tested and Reviewed.” For the hearing impaired, the Wirefly.com article, “Best Cell Phones with Hearing Aid of 2026,” provides an excellent guide.
For seniors who use a computer regularly, there are also built-in accessibility tools that can enhance and improve the experience. As described in the seniorstrong.org article, “How to Make a Computer Elderly Friendly?” these include increasing font size, adjusting screen visibility, using screen magnifiers, and using voice recognition.
Wearable devices are senior-friendly tech choices that can track health status, provide emergency assistance, track whereabouts, and more. Take a look at what’s trending in the safewise.com article, “Best Smartwatches and Wearables for Seniors 2026.”
Emphasize safety and security
Another key aspect of senior-friendly tech is ensuring safety and security from hackers and scammers. According to the Forbes.com article, “FTC Report: Seniors Lost Billions To Scams—Key Insights And Prevention Tips,” between 2020 and 2024, fraud against Americans ages 60 and older increased 400%, and social media is the most common contact method for scammers.
To protect against hackers and scammers, there are several important steps to take.
- Protect passwords using two-factor authentication, which applies two layers of password security.
- Use a password manager software program to generate, auto-fill, and store passwords. The pcmag.com article, “The Best Password Managers for 2026,” can help choose the right one.
- Get educated about senior-friendly tech security. Start with the ncao.org article, “What Are the Top Online Scams Targeting Older Adults?” and then move on to the org website, which provides a wealth of information, as well as free training designed to help seniors stay safe online.
- Trust your intuition and be aware of red flags, like those in the Thrivent document “11 red flags to help identify scams.”
Provide help with patience
Some seniors are more adept at learning new technologies than others, so be prepared to provide patient assistance when needed. Many seniors can benefit from simple written instructions, and just knowing help is just a text away can make a world of difference. Taking time to go practice with a senior loved one can also minimize stress and help build confidence. Like learning most things, repetition helps reinforce skills, especially when there is someone close at hand to help. For more senior-friendly tech tips, the seniorstrong.org article, “How to Help Old People With Technology?” is an excellent resource.
At Ganton’s Countryside, we embrace senior-friendly tech to support the safety and health of our residents. For more information about Countryside, please call Margaret Nagel at (517) 206-5000 or download our brochure to learn about our care levels, cost, and amenities.
