1. The landline transition

Question: Dear Tech & AGEing: My phone company sent a notice that they are retiring the old copper telephone lines in my area and moving everyone to an internet-based service. I have had the same home phone for forty years. What does this mean for me, and will my phone still work in an emergency?

Regards, Raymond P.

Tech & AGEing Answer: Dear Raymond, you are not alone. Telephone companies across the country are modernizing away from the copper wire network toward an internet-based system, and it affects millions of longtime landline users. The good news is you can still have a home phone. Your voice service will simply travel over an internet connection instead of the old copper lines. The one thing worth planning for is a power outage. Copper lines often kept working when the electricity went out, but internet-based phones usually need power, so ask your provider about a battery backup and keep a charged cell phone on hand for emergencies. Contact your provider before the deadline in your notice so the switch happens on your schedule, not by surprise.

2. Aging in place and smart home tech

Question: Dear Tech & AGEing: I live alone and my children worry about me falling when no one is around. I would like to stay in my own home as long as I can. Is there technology that could help keep me safe without feeling like I am being watched all the time?

Sincerely, Eleanor M.

Tech & AGEing Answer: Dear Eleanor, staying in your own home is a goal we hear often, and technology can quietly support it. There are now lighting systems that detect movement, light a safe path at night, and can even sense a fall and send for help. A voice assistant can call a loved one hands-free, remind you about medications, and answer questions out loud. Smart thermostats, doorbells, and medical alert devices add another layer of security. The key is to choose only the tools that solve a real worry for you, set them up with a family member or a trusted helper, and review what each device shares so you stay in control of your privacy.

3. Loneliness and staying connected

Question: Dear Tech & AGEing: Since losing my husband, my days feel very quiet and my closest friends live far away. People tell me technology could help me feel less alone, but I am not sure where to begin. What would you suggest?

Warmly, Joan R.

Tech & AGEing Answer: Dear Joan, I am sorry for your loss, and I am glad you asked. Technology cannot replace a hug, but it can shorten the distance to the people and activities you love. Video calls let you see your friends' faces and join family gatherings from your living room. Many older adults take remote exercise classes, join online book clubs, or attend virtual social meet-ups on subjects they enjoy. Newer AI-powered assistants and chatbots can also hold a friendly conversation, help you plan a trip, or play games that keep the mind sharp during a quiet afternoon. Start with one thing, perhaps a weekly video call, and add more as it feels comfortable.

4. Privacy and security

Question: Dear Tech & AGEing: I enjoy my new devices, but it seems like everything wants my personal information, and my voice assistant may be listening all the time. How do I enjoy this technology without giving away my privacy?

Thank you, Frank D.

Tech & AGEing Answer: Dear Frank, wanting the benefits without the worry is exactly the right approach. A few habits go a long way. Use a strong, unique password for important accounts, and turn on the extra login step (often called two-factor authentication) where it is offered. Review the privacy settings on your phone and voice assistant, and turn off any data sharing you do not need. Be selective about what you share; a store does not need your birthday to sell you a sweater. And keep your devices updated, since those updates often fix security gaps. Enjoying technology and protecting your privacy are not opposites, they simply take a little attention.

5. Rural internet access

Question: Dear Tech & AGEing: I live in a small rural town and our internet is slow and unreliable. I feel like I am missing out on the online services everyone talks about, from video doctor visits to keeping up with grandchildren. Is anything being done about this?

Best, Marlene K.

Tech & AGEing Answer: Dear Marlene, reliable internet in rural areas is one of the most important issues for older adults today, and there is real momentum behind it. Government programs and providers are working to expand high-speed broadband into communities like yours, because a good connection opens the door to telehealth visits, online shopping and delivery, and easy video calls with family. In the meantime, ask local providers about newer options in your area, including satellite and wireless internet that can reach places the old lines never did. Your public library is often a helpful resource for getting online and learning what is available nearby.

6. Getting started with telehealth

Question: Dear Tech & AGEing: My doctor's office now offers video appointments, and they suggested I try one. I am a little nervous about doing a medical visit on a screen. How does it work, and is it as good as being there in person?

Kindly, Harold W.

Tech & AGEing Answer: Dear Harold, a video visit, often called telehealth, is simply an appointment with your own provider over a phone, tablet, or computer instead of in the waiting room. It is a wonderful option for follow-ups, medication questions, and minor concerns, and it saves you the trip. Before the visit, the office will send a link to click at your appointment time. Find a quiet, well-lit spot, have your medication list nearby, and do a practice run beforehand if you can. If a hands-on exam is truly needed, your provider will simply ask you to come in. Many older adults find telehealth so convenient that it quickly becomes a comfortable part of their care.

Question:
Dear Tech & AGEing:  I’m a 71-year-old woman living in a rural town in Western Massachusetts and my husband is in his 80’s.  I have several devices in my home, including a smartphone, a tablet, and a computer.  We use the Internet for some shopping purchases and communications online.  However, I’m confused about what the latest in technology has to offer me, particularly Artificial Intelligence.  I hear a great deal about it in the media, but what does it all mean for us?  Can the technology be helpful?  Should I be worried about some of what I read and hear about with AI? 

Thanks,
Lin S.

Tech & AGEing Answer:

Dear Lin S.  Here’s the bottom line:  Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been around for a good deal longer than most realize as the backbone behind our advanced tech devices.  It’s the intelligent power that enables the devices that you’re using, such as your smart phone, your tablet and even your own personal computer.  Here’s a definition of AI, but also check the Learn More resources below for more information.  If you have a voice assistant (as many older adults have in their homes), AI helps these devices continuously learn about your personal preferences.  It can then provide you with vital information, such as local weather updates and alerts, reminders to reorder important medications and supplies, and enhance your entertainment by playing the music you most want to hear.

AI works to provides data for precise directions when we’re driving or walking. It’s also the intelligence behind linking our medical data information for our health providers, to offer a better system of health care.

With AI, our tech devices also offer a way to reduce social isolation and loneliness and help connect us to our family, friends, and community.  We can engage with others via video chats, by taking remote learning and exercise classes, as well as bridge geographical distances by attending classes and meet-up social clubs located in other areas. 

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