Technology can be a valuable tool for maintaining independence, simplifying everyday tasks and providing a little extra peace of mind. And sometimes, small changes can make a surprisingly big difference.

Below are five areas where technology may be able to make everyday life easier, along with a helpful article or resource for each if you’d like to explore specific products, features and solutions.

Staying connected. Video calls are just the beginning. Voice messages can be easier than typing, online groups can help people find others with similar interests, and even games can provide a fun way to stay connected with family and friends who live far away.

Learn more:  How Technology Can Help Older Adults Feel More Connected — AARP

Staying safer. Medical alert buttons have come a long way. Some watches can detect a hard fall and call for help, while activity sensors can alert a family member when something seems out of the ordinary. Technology can provide an extra layer of security without taking away independence.

Learn more:  5 Types of Tech Products to Help Loved Ones Age in Place — AARP

Making your home easier to manage. Imagine lights that automatically come on when you get up at night, a thermostat you can adjust without leaving your chair, a video doorbell that lets you see who is outside, or a robot vacuum that takes one chore off your list. Smart-home technology can solve some surprisingly ordinary problems.

Learn more:  How a Smarter Home Can Make Daily Life Easier — AARP

Remembering and staying organized. Your phone or smart speaker can help you keep track of appointments, medications and everyday tasks. You can set reminders and timers, check your calendar, create shopping lists or even ask what’s on your schedule for the day—all without having to write everything down.

Learn more:  Smart Speaker Basics and Benefits for Older Adults — AARP Foundation

Making the technology you already own easier to use. Before buying anything new, explore your phone or tablet. Built-in features can enlarge text, increase contrast, read text aloud, turn speech into typed words, provide captions and even magnify small print.

Learn more:  Your Guide to Smartphone Accessibility Settings — AARP 

You certainly don’t need to use all of these tools. In fact, adding too much technology can make life more complicated instead of less! Choose one frustration, concern or task you’d like to make easier and start there. The right technology isn’t the fanciest option—it’s the one that helps you live your life with a little more ease, confidence and independence.