With hurricanes on the East Coast, wildfires out west and tornados roaring through the central plains, very few Americans are immune from the risk of natural disasters. Fortunately, most of us stay safe by keeping up with information provided by the media and public safety departments.
While emergency alerts are still heard on radio and seen scrolling across television screens, many state and local safety departments are finding that it's much more effective to distribute this information through smartphones. You may already be familiar with this type of program if you've received messages on your mobile phone about inclement weather or an Amber Alert.
Initiatives that automatically bring alerts to our smartphones are useful, but unfortunately less tech-savvy individuals are not reaping the benefit. According to a study from the Pew Research Center, close to half of the 60 million Americans without any form of internet access are over the age of 65. In a world where we are increasingly dependent on technology, this lack of access can be dangerous.
According to The Week, Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy and the 2007 Witch Creek Wildfire in San Diego County disproportionately affected older adults. Columnist Kaitlin Roberts argued that many of these individuals would have been in a more favorable position if they had a better grasp on how to use technology.
"Helping seniors connect online will allow thousands of people to engage with their communities to plan for extreme conditions, rather than being passive bystanders," Roberts wrote. "They will have more opportunities to communicate with family, access public services, and receive the latest safety information during a crisis."
Some older adults have been slow to embrace technological solutions because they may see these devices as too complicated. This is where Independa can help. With our independent senior living solutions, fully integrated with special LG televisions, older adults can connect with caregivers, peers and family members without difficulty – no computer knowledge required. In less than 2 minutes, the system is up and running and communication can begin. Contact us through our online form to schedule a demo.
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