How Technology Helps Seniors Stay Connected

Older adults are more digitally connected than the stereotype suggests. Pew Research Center found that 61% of adults 65 and older now own a smartphone, a share that has climbed steadily over the past decade, and many use it for exactly what anyone else does: keeping up with family, managing errands, and finding something to read. At King'sBridge, residents bring those same habits with them, and get help from a team on-site when a device or an app does not quite make sense.

Staying Connected and Informed

These are the apps that come up most often: ways to see family face to face, keep track of health details, and find something worth reading.

Staying in Touch

WhatsApp, FaceTime, Zoom, and Facebook Messenger give residents a way to see family who live across town or across the country, closing distance in a way a phone call cannot. A weekly video call with a grandchild or a Sunday Zoom with the whole family carries a different kind of connection than a quick text exchange.

Managing Health from Home

Patient portals such as MyChart give people a way to view test results, message a doctor's office, or check an upcoming appointment without a phone call, and telehealth apps turn a routine follow-up into a short video visit instead of an in-person one. At King'sBridge, the Wellness Center already provides on-site vitals checks and no-cost transportation to medical appointments, and these apps add one more option for the visits that do not need to happen in person.

Library Access from Home

Through DeKalb County Public Library's Libby app, residents can borrow e-books, audiobooks, and magazines directly to a phone or tablet, no trip to a branch required. Library officials have noted that seniors make up a large share of the system's Libby users, a detail that reflects how naturally the app fits into daily reading habits once someone tries it.

Everyday Independence

Beyond staying in touch, a handful of apps make it easier for residents to manage the everyday logistics of daily life without depending on someone else's schedule.

Getting Around

Rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft give residents another way to get where they are going beyond the community's scheduled transportation. A ride to a last-minute appointment, a family gathering across town, or a stop the community shuttle does not make is only a few taps away.

Food and Errands Delivered

Delivery apps such as Instacart and DoorDash let residents order groceries or a meal from a favorite restaurant without leaving their apartment. It is especially useful on a day when getting out does not sound appealing, or for a specific craving that calls for something outside the day's menu.

Banking and Budgeting

Mobile banking apps let residents check balances, pay bills, and deposit checks from a phone, and Zelle makes sending money to a family member simple without writing a check. Simple budgeting apps can help residents track spending on their own terms, without asking anyone else to manage it for them.

Technology Support at King'sBridge

None of this happens without help learning it, and that is where the on-site technology support comes in. The IT team helps residents stay connected with friends and family, access information and services, and manage their health and wellness through regular troubleshooting, teaching, and hands-on help with electronic devices.

That kind of support is why devices at King'sBridge get used instead of set aside. Schedule a tour to see what daily life looks like here, technology included.