The holidays have come and gone and most of us have settled back into our routines, biding our time 'til Spring comes around. I know, just from talking to friends and co-workers, that many people are in the process of learning how to operate the new "toys" they received as gifts, whether it be an electronic reader, the latest cell phone or a gaming system.  Even my own father, who is fighting off technology like it's the plague, has jumped on board with a digital camera and an interest in Facebook.  When I asked him why, all of a sudden, he was interested in these things, his reply was surprisingly simple; it was a way for him to locate long lost friends and most importantly to him, a way to keep in touch with his grandchildren out of state.  Pretty much the same reasons we all use these products.  It made me realize that seniors aren't necessarily intimidated by new technology, like I had previously thought, but, as was the case with my father, they just hadn't found a need for it.
     Using technology to help improve seniors' lives is not a new concept by any means.  There are, obviously, the continuous advancements in medical equipment that can be found in labs, hospitals and nursing homes.  Over the last couple of years, however, I have noticed a push, especially with senior care providers, to get seniors involved with the latest innovations. With the average life expectancy rising, many of these people will outlive their old technologies. 
   At The Pointe of Kilpatrick, we started using the Wii gaming system a couple of years ago.  With only simple hand and arm movements, most of the residents can participate. It not only provides a safe form of exercise, but also builds bonds within the community.  Even residents who are confined to a wheelchair or need a walker to support themselves are able to join in the fun.  Another popular unit is the Dakim system.  Dakim was designed to be an interactive brain-healthy software system, that came with it's own touch screen and hardware.  It can be used off-line, utilizing the countless programs installed, such as history, geography, music, movies.....or on-line to interact through Skype with friends and family.  The programs were created in the effort to slow down the rate of cognitive loss in those with dementia, such as Alzheimer's, as well as to keep brains active in the hopes of warding off the onset altogether.  With the vast amount of information, games and activities available on the Dakim system, every resident can find something of interest.  The system was also designed to store each residents information, such as travel history, favorite movies and music, etc...they can just log on and enjoy a personalized experience based on their lives. 
Always moving forward,  The Pointe is considering bringing in iPads for the residents.  With special applications geared towards seniors and senior living, the iPads would offer yet another way for the residents to interact with the world.  The possibilities are endless.  The connection it can provide between families is alone worth it.  Bridging the gap between generations has always been a challenge, but through technology, we may now have tools to develop common interests, thus  keeping the seniors in our families involved in our life and the world around them.  Being more involved will also help reduce the risk of depression and loneliness that many seniors face as they get older.  Traveling can become difficult or impossible, isolating many seniors. With the help of technology, they don't have to miss a grandchild's recital or birthday party.  
When it comes to caring for the elderly, there has long been an emphasis on retaining and preserving memories.  However, we can't forget to make new ones along the way.  Technology is providing more ways to not only capture and store "memories", but to create them as well.