Smitha Verma
So you have a smartphone. Chances are you have Facebook and Whatsapp as your most-visited apps on your phone. Everyone knows about Facebook. At least those reading this blog will have a Facebook account or know people who have one. Even if you don’t have an account you would have been redirected to many articles that appear on Facebook. Also you must be an avid Whatsapp user. It’s a powerful tool and we all love Whatsapp for its innumerable features from messages to video calls. At the click of a button, mass forwards are sent out – sometimes informative, sometimes entertaining and at other times fake or rather messages that have no credibility.
But have you relegated your smartphone only to use these two apps. Or if you are like my mom, you may be checking out recipes on YouTube. Or if you are like my mother-in-law you would be using it to click pics of her grandkids. Don’t let your smartphone only be for your small source of entertainment. Use it smartly. Learn about the features that your phone has and make use of it.
Two years back there was an article that had appeared in The Hindu. It spoke about how the elderly at the Nimmadhi Old Age Home in Chennai were learning about how to use digital wallet, how to change a display picture on WhatsApp, and so on through a workshop. This was a course which had been put through Helpage and it highlighted how tech non-savvy our seniors are and the need of the hour to educate them.
Navigate wisely
There are a few features in your phone which you should immediately learn about. You should know how to make emergency calls. Whatsapp video calls are a handy tool in the time of this lockdown. If you are going out, use the GPS of your phone instead of getting lost or asking for directions, when walking or driving. Your phone also has a feature of weather, alarm clock, reminder options, a log book, calculator and so, which are all tools that you should use. Also iPhones and most Androids come equipped with a virtual assistant. Learn how to use these personal assistants respond to your voice commands.
Tackling boredom
Smartphones can help guard against boredom in seniors living alone. A smartphone in your palm could easily be your personal TV, music system, radio, gaming console or a book. Audiobooks are a good way to get to get back to reading and if you have eyesight issues check out podcasts. If you have an iPhone Podcasts are an in-built feature in the phone and for android users it can be downloaded from the playstore. There are thousands of podcasts available on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts and on music streaming platforms like Spotify, Gaana and so on. Choose categories that interest you – be it storytelling or a TEDTalk — and listen. It will bring back the days of storytelling and talk radio in your lives. If you are not one for books or talks, check out the games – from scrabble to solitaire. There are many free game apps available that may help you keep challenged as well as entertained. You can sharpen your thinking by using brain-training apps that help improve memory and logical thinking.
Your personal wallet
With social distancing becoming the new normal, fintech literacy is the need of the hour. Learn how to manage your personal finances, banking needs and paying utility using a smartphone. With online banking and mobile wallets this has become more flexible and convenient. Download e-wallet apps, configure internet banking on your phone, learn how to use them and if passwords scare you then start using biometric identification. If you are vigilant and follow hygienic online practices then these are tools that are a godsend. You won’t have to visit a bank or an ATM or even opt for the ‘cash on order’ while ordering food or shopping.
It’s a health monitor
First explore the inbuilt health apps on your phone. There could be apps to monitor your daily physical activity like the steps taken per day. Use this application to know how physically active you are. Download some additional apps to monitor your heart rate, sleep quality and a few other basic health indicators. There are apps to book doctor appointments, remind you about your medication and next test due. Use it to your benefit.
Make digital literacy a goal during this hour of lockdown.
Smitha Verma is responsible for PR & External Communications at Unmukt.