Gene L. Osofsky, of the law firm Osofsky & Osofsky, is excited about the current trend among elders to use their electronic devices.
U.S. elders, even the extremely aged, are becoming increasingly attracted to the same gadgets and gizmos that younger folks have been using for a while. It’s no longer too surprising to learn that Grandpa is in the habit of texting and that Grandma is becoming fond of certain “apps” on her Smartphone.
“Just because we age, doesn’t mean that we should shut down opportunities to enjoy new technologies,” asserts Gene L. Osofsky, of the law firm Osofsky & Osofsky, “they’re intended to be enjoyed.”
While long lines waiting to buy the newest iPhone incarnation or video game consoles that stream movies for TV are becoming more of the rule than the exception, this may not be a bad thing. “The more tech-savvy an elder is, the better,” explains Osofsky, “and like NASA’s Space Program, the idea of knowing more can have useful spin-offs, especially when it deals with a person’s affairs.”
In the contemporary marketplace, elders need to be aware of a lot more of what’s new – just to stay safe. “A lot of the scams out there victimize elders, even while employing advanced technologies – everything from emails to texting to streaming videos to Skype,” Osofsky argues, “Now is not the time to be an ostrich with your head in the sand.”
Being tech-savvy can also be fun. “Life is meant to be enjoyed,” he says, “Why shouldn’t an elder get to watch a streaming movie online, or text a grandchild?”
The more technologically-competent one is might also equate to better investment decisions in a fast-paced environment, or even help to produce attractive legacies such as family histories, digital wills and electronic diaries composed of a myriad of blog entries. Osofsky also mentions social networking. “Participating in a social networking site like Facebook can enhance an older person’s life by giving it an intriguing new dimension, and also offer exciting opportunities for contact with others who have like interests,” Osofsky says, “It’s a way for elders to stay connected.”
In actuality, even centenarians are increasingly utilizing the newest mass consumer technologies. Up to 12% of 84,000 U.S. centenarians recently surveyed have listened to music on an iPod, for instance. “Why does our sense of wonder have to end as we age?” Osofsky concludes.
To learn more about elder law and The Law Offices of Osofsky & Osofsky, visit http://www.lawyerforseniors.com/.
