Growing Older—Technically Speaking

When my grandmother was in her seventies, she fell on the back step and broke her hip. For the rest of her life, she walked slowly with crutches, dragging one foot. That memory stays with me. The risk of falling remains a real concern. But today, if I were to break a hip, a surgeon would likely replace it, and I’d be up and walking within days.

I’m keenly aware—and grateful—that I’ve reached my senior years during a time of astonishing technological advancement. Take this article: I’m writing it on a laptop. Right next to it is my phone, which is rarely out of reach. I even have a special belt to keep it at my waist while I’m in the garden, one of my favorite pastimes.

Recently, I asked my son to help me buy a car with more safety features. He had a better idea: lease an electric Kia. It was delivered to my driveway, complete with personal driving lessons. My husband, Jeff, installed a charging outlet in our garage—with a rebate to boot—and now the car quietly charges overnight when the grid is least in demand. I haven’t visited a gas station since, nor needed a recharge between my local errands.

The car has all the latest safety technology and only three gears—Park, Reverse, and Drive. It even stops automatically if something unexpected crosses my path. I may not travel far, but it keeps me independent and mobile.

Jeff has low vision, so I do the driving—but he’s built a solid partnership with Siri. She navigates for us via GPS, dictates text messages, reminds us when the car needs charging, and supplies instant answers when our memories stumble during conversation.

We now have two smart TVs that respond to our voices through our remote. One of our favorite platforms is YouTube, where we’ve explored documentaries on composers, writers, and historical events. Our reading needs are met by digital downloads. We belong to two book groups, and everything arrives on our iPads—either in text or audio. Years ago, we donated 20 boxes of books to the Friends of the Library. Today, our library lives in the cloud.

This past year brought the joy of two great-grandsons, and every day we receive photos documenting their latest milestones. FaceTime and Zoom allow us to stay connected with friends, family, and even attend church from home.

Technology can be frustrating, especially when you're learning something new. But I’ve learned to ask for help—from tech-savvy loved ones or even professionals. Each time I master something new, I feel both challenged and rewarded.

Growing older in the digital age isn’t just possible—it’s empowering.

~ Carol Jacobs