7 Ways Older Adults Can Use Tech to Stay Safe and Independent

Technology Adoption Among Older Adults Is Surging — Here’s How to Make It Work for You

If you’re over 50 and feel like technology is moving faster than you can keep up, you’re not alone — but you’re also not falling behind as much as you might think. According to AARP’s 2024 Tech Trends and Adults 50+ report, 76% of adults over 50 now own a smartphone, and nearly half use smart home devices like voice assistants and video doorbells. The surge is real, and it’s accelerating.

In my 12 years covering consumer technology, what I see most often is this: older adults don’t resist technology — they resist bad technology experiences. Confusing interfaces, tiny text, and fear of scams create barriers that have nothing to do with ability or intelligence. The issue isn’t whether you can use these tools. It’s whether anyone has shown you how they actually fit into your life.

That’s exactly what this guide is designed to do. Below are seven concrete, practical ways older adults can use technology to stay safer, more connected, and more independent — without needing a computer science degree to get started.

1. Turn Your Smartphone Into a Health Command Center

Your smartphone is already the most powerful health device you own — most people just don’t realize it. A 2024 study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research found that adults over 60 who used mobile health apps showed a 23% improvement in medication adherence compared to those who didn’t. Separate NIH-funded research has even linked regular smartphone use to measurable improvements in cognitive function among high-risk seniors.

Start with what’s already on your phone. Both Apple Health (iPhone) and Google Fit (Android) track steps, heart rate, and sleep without any extra equipment. From there, consider adding one or two focused apps:

1. Medisafe — a free medication reminder app that sends alerts when it’s time to take a pill, and lets a family member receive notifications if you miss a dose.
2. MyFitnessPal — tracks nutrition and water intake with a simple search-and-tap interface.
3. Apple Watch or Fitbit fall detection — if you wear a smartwatch, enable the fall detection feature. It automatically calls emergency services if it detects a hard fall and you don’t respond within 60 seconds.

A Quick Tip on Health App Privacy

Before downloading any health app, check whether it shares data with third parties. Go to the app’s listing in the App Store or Google Play and scroll to the “Data Privacy” section. If it sells your health data to advertisers, choose an alternative. Consumer Reports maintains updated privacy ratings for popular health apps that are worth checking.

2. Use Smart Home Devices to Extend Your Independence

Smart home technology isn’t a luxury — for many older adults, it’s becoming a practical tool for aging in place. Voice-activated assistants like Amazon Echo and Google Nest let you set medication reminders, make phone calls, control lights, and lock doors without getting up or fumbling with small buttons.

I often tell my readers that the best entry point is a smart speaker paired with smart light bulbs. The total cost is under $60, the setup takes about 15 minutes, and the payoff is immediate: you can say “Alexa, turn off the living room lights” from bed instead of navigating a dark hallway. That’s not a gadget gimmick. That’s fall prevention.

“Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among adults 65 and older in the United States, according to the CDC. Simple technology like motion-sensor lights, smart speakers, and video doorbells can reduce common fall risk factors without expensive home renovations.”

Three Smart Home Devices Worth Starting With

Video doorbell (Ring or Google Nest Doorbell): See who’s at your door from your phone or smart speaker screen without walking to the entrance. This is also a strong scam-prevention tool — you can talk to anyone at your door without opening it.

Smart plugs: Plug a lamp, fan, or coffee maker into a $15 smart plug. Control it by voice or set it on a schedule. No wiring, no installation.

Smart lock (August or Schlage Encode): Grant temporary access codes to caregivers, family, or delivery drivers. You’ll always know who entered and when — and you’ll never get locked out again.

3. Stay Connected With Video Calling — Beyond the Basics

Video calling exploded during the pandemic, but many older adults stopped at basic Zoom or FaceTime use. There’s much more these tools can do for your daily life and mental health. A 2023 University of Michigan study found that adults over 65 who used video calling at least twice a week reported 30% lower rates of loneliness and social isolation than those who relied solely on phone calls.

Here are ways to get more out of video calls:

1. Schedule a recurring weekly call with grandchildren or friends. Consistency matters more than duration — even 15 minutes creates a reliable social anchor.
2. Join a virtual class or group. Libraries, community colleges, and organizations like OASIS offer free Zoom-based classes on everything from watercolor painting to current events discussion.
3. Use the Portal or Echo Show — these dedicated video-calling screens are simpler than a laptop. A family member can set one up remotely, and all you have to do is say “Answer” when someone calls.

Staying socially active is also connected to how you spend your time after leaving the workforce. If you’re exploring new activities in retirement, it’s worth reading about the 6 myths about retirement hobbies that hold you back after 50 — technology can open doors to pursuits you might not have considered.

4. Protect Yourself From Online Scams Targeting Older Adults

This is the section I wish I didn’t have to write — but the numbers demand it. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center reported that Americans over 60 lost more than $3.4 billion to online scams in 2023 alone, a 11% increase from the year before. Older adults are targeted more aggressively than any other age group, and the scams are getting more sophisticated every year.

The most common scams I see targeting this demographic include:

• Tech support scams: A pop-up appears saying your computer is infected. You call the number, and a scammer gains remote access to your machine — and your bank accounts.
• Grandparent scams: A caller pretends to be your grandchild in distress, begging you not to tell anyone and to wire money immediately. AI voice cloning has made these frighteningly convincing.
• Romance scams: A relationship cultivated over weeks or months on social media or dating apps, ending in requests for money. The FBI says this category alone cost seniors over $356 million in 2023.
• Government impersonation: Fake calls or emails claiming to be from the IRS, Social Security Administration, or Medicare demanding immediate payment or personal information.

“No legitimate government agency will ever call you demanding immediate payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. If you receive that call, hang up. Period.” — Guidance from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)

Five Steps to Protect Yourself Right Now

1. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on every account that offers it — especially email, banking, and social media. This means even if someone steals your password, they can’t access your account without a second verification code sent to your phone.
2. Never click links in unsolicited texts or emails. Instead, go directly to the company’s website by typing the address into your browser.
3. Set your phone to silence unknown callers. On iPhone, go to Settings → Phone → Silence Unknown Callers. On Android, open the Phone app → Settings → Blocked Numbers → toggle on “Unknown.”
4. Designate a “scam check” person — a trusted family member or friend you call before making any financial decision prompted by an unexpected message or call.
5. Report suspicious activity to the FTC at consumer.ftc.gov or call 1-877-382-4357. Reporting helps authorities track and shut down scam operations.

For a deeper dive into the psychology behind these schemes, check out this breakdown of online scams targeting older adults and 7 myths debunked. Understanding how scammers think is half the battle.

5. Simplify Your Devices With Accessibility Settings You Already Have

One of the biggest frustrations I hear from readers over 50 is that screens are too small, text is too tiny, and buttons are impossible to tap accurately. The good news? Every modern smartphone and tablet has built-in accessibility features that can transform your experience — and they take less than two minutes to set up.

On iPhone

• Go to Settings → Display & Brightness → Text Size and drag the slider to a comfortable level.
• Enable Bold Text in the same menu for sharper readability.
• Turn on Magnifier (Settings → Accessibility → Magnifier) to use your camera as a digital magnifying glass for menus, labels, and medication bottles.

On Android

• Go to Settings → Accessibility → Font Size and Display Size and increase both.
• Enable TalkBack if you need screen content read aloud.
• Use Simple Mode (available on Samsung and some other brands) — it replaces the home screen with large, easy-to-read icons and a simplified layout.

AARP’s 2024 tech survey found that 42% of adults over 50 said they wished devices were designed with more age-friendly features. The features often already exist — they’re just buried in settings menus. Don’t be afraid to explore or ask a family member to help with the initial setup.

6. Stream Entertainment Without the Confusion

Streaming services have replaced cable for millions of Americans, but the sheer number of options — Netflix, Hulu, Max, Peacock, Paramount+, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ — creates decision fatigue that can feel overwhelming. Here’s how I recommend simplifying the streaming landscape.

Pick two services, maximum. Most people over 50 are well served by one general entertainment platform (Netflix or Hulu) and one news or specialty service (Peacock for NBC news and sports, or Paramount+ for CBS content). You can always rotate: subscribe to one for a month, binge what you want, cancel, and switch to another.

Use a streaming stick, not your smart TV’s built-in apps. Devices like the Roku Express ($29) or Amazon Fire TV Stick ($39) have simpler, faster interfaces than most smart TV operating systems. Tom’s Guide consistently rates Roku as the most user-friendly option for non-technical users.

Create your own profile. If you share a Netflix or Hulu account with family, make sure you have your own profile. This keeps your recommendations separate so you’re not wading through children’s cartoons to find the documentary you wanted.

Saving on streaming is also worth thinking about in the context of managing your overall retirement budget. If inflation is putting pressure on your expenses, this guide on 7 ways seniors can fight inflation draining retirement savings covers practical cuts — entertainment subscriptions included.

7. Learn at Your Own Pace — Free Tech Education That Actually Works

The single most effective thing I’ve seen in over a decade of covering this beat is structured, patient, in-person or virtual tech education designed specifically for older learners. Not YouTube tutorials made for 25-year-olds. Not a grandchild who moves too fast and gets impatient. Real instruction at a real pace.

Here are free or low-cost resources worth exploring:

• AARP’s Technology page (aarp.org/technology) — regularly updated guides on phones, scams, streaming, and smart home devices written specifically for adults over 50.
• Your local public library — more than 60% of US public libraries now offer free digital literacy classes, including one-on-one appointments with tech helpers. Call your branch and ask.
• Senior Planet by OASIS — offers free online and in-person classes in multiple cities, covering everything from smartphone basics to social media safety.
• GetSetUp.io — a live, interactive class platform designed for older learners with small class sizes and patient instructors.

The key is consistency. I recommend committing to one 30-minute learning session per week. Within three months, you’ll feel dramatically more confident. Within six months, you’ll be the person helping someone else.

The Bottom Line: Technology Should Serve Your Life, Not Complicate It

The goal of technology for older adults isn’t to keep up with every trend or own the latest gadget. It’s to use specific, proven tools that make your daily life safer, more connected, and more enjoyable. Whether that means a medication reminder app that keeps your health on track, a video doorbell that lets you see who’s outside without getting up, or the knowledge to hang up on a scammer with confidence — each step you take compounds.

Start with one item from this list. Master it. Then move to the next. Technology adoption among older adults isn’t just surging because the devices are getting cheaper — it’s surging because people over 50 are discovering that these tools genuinely work, when used with the right guidance.

You don’t need to learn everything at once. You just need to start.