Technology in Our Life Today and How

It Has Changed
27 minute read

Updated for December, 2019

Over the years, technology has revolutionized our world and daily
lives. Technology has created amazing tools and resources,
putting useful information at our fingertips.

Modern technology has paved the way for multi-functional

devices like the smartwatch and the smartphone. Computers are
increasingly faster, more portable, and higher-powered than ever
before. With all of these revolutions, technology has also made
our lives easier, faster, better, and more fun.
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Table of Contents
  Technology Has Changed How We Communicate
 Technology Has Changed How We Pay Bills & Transfer Money
 Technology Has Changed How We Watch TV
 Technology Has Changed How We Date
 Technology Has Changed How We Live In and Outside of Our Homes
 Technology Has Changed How We Stay Safe
 How Technology Continues to Change

In this article, we’ll cover how technology has impacted senior’s lives in and
out of the home. Technology’s advancements have provided quicker ways to
communicate through instant messaging apps and social media platforms.
Seniors are able to keep in touch with loved ones, while caregivers have new
avenues to check in on aging parents or patients.

Technology has also given us brand new devices in recent decades, like
smartwatches, tablets, and voice assistant devices. With these devices, we
can do things like transfer money instantly and make purchases for
everything from clothes, food delivery, groceries, furniture, and more.
Technology has changed how we entertain ourselves, meet each other, and
consume all types of media. It’s made fun advancements, but it’s also made
important advancements in safety when it comes to home security and
medical devices.

Especially for seniors, these devices are providing the freedom to age in
place, to live independently, and to continue moving through everyday life
with peace of mind. It opens up new opportunities by helping with safety,
mobility and connectivity. Medical advancements have made it so you can
stay proactive with conditions like diabetes and arthritis. With new medical
alert devices, seniors can also get help at the push of a button and keep in
touch with loved ones no matter where they are in the world.

Since there are so many new technologies to keep track of, it can seem
overwhelming to adapt. However, all of these new technologies are
designed to make your life easier. Even though it may not feel intuitive,
learning how to use smart phones, smartwatches and voice assistants just
takes a little bit of instruction and practice.

Four-in-ten seniors now own smartphones, more than double the share
that did in 2013.

When it comes to the way we communicate overall, modern technology has

had a powerful influence.

Digital technology has changed what people term as “media.” The influence
of new technology on media is apparent since a media company isn’t
necessarily a news platform anymore. A media company is now any
company that helps pass information across the globe, including social
media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.

The amount of active web users globally is now near 3.2 billion people. That
is almost half of the world’s population. Every day, two million
smartphones are sold around the world, and the amount of information we
share shared on social media networks is phenomenal.
Social media isn’t the only big statement digital technology has made.
Neither is social media the only way technology has had an impact in
everyone’s life.
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Modern technology has made it possible for the discovery of many multi-
functional devices like the smartwatch and the smartphone.

Before mobile technology, you had to search through a dictionary to

understand the meaning of a word. Now you can look words up in a
dictionary app or quickly search the Internet. Beyond words, you can
search for practically anything on the Internet using search engines like
Google and Bing.
There is no denying that the future of technology will continue to
revolutionize our lives. In a few years, driverless cars may be the norm for
everyone, and robots will be commonplace in factories. Future technology
is sure to transform our lives in unbelievable ways, but here we  highlight
the many common ways technology is changing our lives today.

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In addition to social media platforms, there are also many other

applications specifically designed for communication.

Technology Has Changed How We

Communicate
How has technology helped communication? The advancement of
technology has made communication unbelievably fast and convenient. It’s
incredible to look back and see how much easier communication has gotten
over the years. Communication tools offer one of the most significant
examples of how quickly technology has evolved.
In the past, writing a letter, sending faxes, or finding a wired telephone was
the best way to communicate remotely with someone. To connect with
someone in society today, you have many more efficient options at your
fingertips. You can send them a message on social media, text them, video
chat, email, or put a call through.

These new methods can help you keep in touch with loved ones, especially
if you’re aging in place or living alone. Video chat helps caregivers check on
seniors who may not need continual check-ups in person. Social media is a
great way to keep in touch in general, allowing you to see what your loved
ones are doing through the photos and updates they post.
Social Media

Who hasn’t heard of Facebook, Twitter, or Skype? They’ve become

household names. Even if you don’t use these platforms, they’re a part of
everyday life and not going away anytime soon. Regardless of your location,
messages via social media get delivered on these platforms at the same rate
and speed whether the recipient is right beside you or on the other side of
the globe. You can also send voice messages through these platforms, and it
is delivered in nanoseconds.

Messaging Apps

The way we use mobile phones has changed dramatically as well. In

addition to social media platforms, there are numerous other applications
specifically designed for communication. If social media isn’t for you,
WhatsApp and other messaging apps enable you to quickly message family
and friends and even make calls over Wi-Fi.

You can email through your phone or send SMS text messages through your
mobile provider, but many smartphones have their own messaging
platforms built directly into the phone. On Apple iPhones, iMessage allows
you communicate with anyone else who has an iPhone for free using WiFi
or cellular data. iMessage has gotten increasingly sophisticated over the
years. Sending photos, videos and emojis are just the basics with what you
can do, and the platform has now expanded to include gaming, voice notes,
and various app integrations to send information more quickly.

Messaging Apps can be a great option if you have friends in other countries
or if you don’t have a phone plan.

Smartwatches

Communication has even evolved beyond mobile devices and personal

computers. We can now send messages through tablets, voice assistants,
smartwatches, and more. The smartwatch is a relatively new technology
that captures almost all the capabilities of smartphones in a convenient
touch-screen watch. You can receive notifications, track your activity, set
alarms, and even call and text directly through these wearable devices.
Smartwatches can also serve as a way to communicate with emergency
responders. Medical alert companies like MobileHelp and Medical
Guardian have partnered with smartwatch developers or created
proprietary technologies to provide seniors the safety of a medical alert
right on their wrist. These watches include many of the same features as a
typical smartwatch, such as activity tracking and personal messaging.

Even the makers of popular smartwatches on the market outside of the

medical alert industry providing people the ability to communicate quickly
in the case of an emergency. The Apple Watch Series 4 and its subsequent
versions have built-in fall detection, which will automatically alert
emergency assistance. In addition to its automatic response capabilities,
Apple Watch technology also allows users to initiate an emergency call from
any location worldwide manually. Apple’s Medical ID Health app can
provide emergency responders access to your medical conditions and
designated emergency contacts.

Technology allows us to communicate instantly with people in our

neighborhoods or around the globe. This innovation not only keeps us
connected but can help us live safer and healthier lives.

Make sure your loved ones are safe at home

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comfortably. Professional home care services help seniors
stay healthy at home.

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Technology Has Changed How We Pay Bills

And Transfer Money
No more do you have to enter a bank to withdraw money or transfer it to
someone. Many banks have already made transactions possible online and
accessible to people everywhere. Companies like PayPal and Venmo have
created platforms where people can send and receive money from any
location using the Internet.

Paying bills has also become simplified thanks to technology. You can
automatically schedule payments when they are due rather than having to
remember to mail a check. With your cell phone and a banking app, you can
manage all of your necessary bill payments online.
Setting up automated payments through a banking app is especially helpful
for seniors who may have memory problems. Caregivers or loved ones can
help set up recurring bill payments so there’s never a question if a bill will
be paid on time or not.
It’s even simple to pay for things using only your smartphone. With Apple
Pay and Google Wallet, you don’t need to carry cash when you go shopping.
These apps securely link your bank account to your mobile phone. The
same machines you use to swipe your credit card at the store now allow
mobile payments from your phone.

Keeping up with all of these innovations may seem like a hassle, but these
technologies can simplify your life to help you worry about fewer things.
With all of the payment capabilities available these days, you could leave
home without your wallet and be just fine.

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Technology Has Changed How We Watch TV

Technology has changed how we watch television today. Cable companies
are continuously rolling out new features allowing viewers to pause and
rewind live TV and record their favorite programs to watch later.

With your mobile devices, you can watch, or “stream” the tv shows you
want, when you want, and how you want. Streaming services like Netflix,
Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video all offer access to cable TV shows and
original content for a low monthly price. Disney is also getting into the
streaming game, with the recent announcement of their new streaming
service Disney+. Streaming is just another way to watch your favorite
shows, but it uses the Internet instead of cable. It can be a more cost-
effective way to watch television. Unlike traditional cable tv packages, you
don’t have to pay for large cable bundles with channels you don’t use.
Streaming services offer movies and TV shows that are grouped by genre,
making it easy to find your favorites.
With streaming, you can watch on the go – all you need is an Internet
connection. Many of the streaming services we listed above have mobile
applications that allow you to download content directly to your device.
This option allows you to watch even if you go somewhere without Internet
access.
More and more TVs these days are even designed for streaming. “Smart
TVs” have Wi-Fi capability, which allows them to connect to streaming
services using the Internet. Smart TVs will enable you to access more
programs and even save money. With a Smart TV, you can access both
streaming services and cable channels. To save money, you can also opt-out
of cable altogether. It all depends on your budget and what you enjoy
watching.

New TVs are also capable of displaying picture quality far beyond what
you’ve experienced in the past. A standard definition TV displays 720
horizontal pixels. Today, it’s more common for TVs to have 4k resolution,
which is 4,000 horizontal pixels. That means TVs today show a picture with
nearly 6x more definition than standard-definition TVs making for a much
better viewing experience and can make your favorite shows and movies
that much more enjoyable.

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How Has Technology Changed Other Forms of

Entertainment?

Books

Paper books aren’t going anywhere. However, e-reader devices have made
reading easier when you’re on the go. An e-reader device like a Kindle or
Nook can hold thousands of books without taking up space in your home.
It’s a great way to have multiple options on hand if you’re going on a trip or
vacation.
Audio books are an especially great way to enjoy classic and new books
alike. Though you’re not reading, you’re still able to consume a great story
through an audiobook. For aging seniors, audio books are great when it
becomes more challenging to read the small type in books.
Music

When it comes to music, technology has also helped consolidate the devices
we use. We can access our music no matter where we are. In the same vein
as books, vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, and other physical albums will
always have their place. They serve a unique purpose in enjoying music.
However, just as it’s possible to stream movies and TV shows, you can also
stream your favorite songs and albums.

Platforms like Spotify and Apple Music have made it possible to access
millions of artists all at a monthly fee. While it isn’t the same as owning
your favorite album, streaming allows you the opportunity to listen to
music easily. The number of devices with music streaming capabilities
continues to grow. You can use your smartphone, computer, car, portable
speakers, and even TVs to listen to your favorite songs