Best Tech Gifts for Seniors

Tech gifts are unquestionably some of the most searched gifts available on the market, and some modern and sleek looking gadgets promise to make life easier. They’re often promoted to every age group, except seniors, yet tech gifts for seniors are starting to become more popular.

Indeed, an increasing number of manufacturers and tech companies have focused on the development of new technological products to benefit the elderly.

Are you searching for the right gift for the older person in your life? In this article, we discuss the appeal of several products that are popular among mature consumers.

Why Buy Tech Gifts for Seniors?

The vast majority of seniors are not the technophobes that some may believe. They enjoy technology as well, such as phones, tablets, and cameras.

In fact, more than 80% of seniors between 64 and 74 use the internet at least once a week and more than 95% of those above 67 own their own mobile phone. There are even upwards of 50 million video game playing seniors in the United States.  

Some devices can help seniors manage their health, find misplaced items, and manage online passwords, among other things. If you’re worried the tech will put them off and your gift will get donated, you can follow our tutoring proven tips for seniors on the use of any technology.

The products we found are not only simple to use for seniors, but they are also likely to be appreciated by them.

Our Recommended Tech Gifts

Tile Mate Tracker

At some point, everyone has misplaced their keys and other belongings. The Tile Mate is an app that is simple to use to help locate these items. Tile’s accompanying fob is small and practically designed. You can put it on your keychain or any other item you’re worried about losing. A feature on it can be used to locate your phone.

Among Tile’s most well-known products are its Bluetooth tracking devices. If you have a Tile account, you can use it to keep track of your belongings, including your keys.

Although Tile can accurately monitor personal belongings, it was not designed to track individuals (although, there are devices that can help you to track people, like the GPS Smart Sole). This is because Tile does not function in the same way that GPS does. Instead, it uses Bluetooth to track your belongings. It can detect objects within a 400-foot radius. When a Tile is shown as missing in the app, anyone who comes within range with the app running will send you an updated location anonymously. I would never recommend relying on Tile to locate a missing child or senior.

Over 20 partnerships have already been announced for the Find with Tile system. It also enables users to track a variety of different items. When you misplace anything on the bus or anywhere, Tile will help to find out those things.

MedMinder

On average, studies show that seniors are taking an average of 9 to 22 prescription drugs – all of which need to be taken at certain hours of the day at given doses, sometimes with or without food. 

Failing to take medication as prescribed is associated with adverse health effects and even hospitalization among seniors. The MedMinder can assist with compliance with that regimen. The device helps organize medication, set schedules and reminders, and can send alerts when a prescription needs to be refilled.

The MedMinder site provides details about how this product compares to other automatic pill dispenses, along with information about the specific features and how they can be helpful.

You don’t need to organize your pills into different dose groupings inside the system, as is the case with other products in the “robot pill organizer/dispensers” category.

It does not include a carrying case. Apart from the click to open and close, there is no lock to prevent the lids from opening. If you intend to travel with it, you may wish to place it in a plastic zipper bag.

Users say that the pill compartments are quite simple to open and close. The medication will not fall out as long as the lid is pressed down until the click is heard. Between the rows, there is sufficient space to access the individual containers.

For additional recommendations on medication management tools, you can view our review of various medication reminder systems here.

Touchscreen Gloves

For most parts of the country and world, holidays coincide with a significant drop in temperature. The chilly weather may have seniors reaching for their gloves. However, we don’t believe you need to restrict your use of all things touch-screen. If you’re frustrated with removing your gloves to return that text message or look up your favorite recipe on Pinterest, then touchscreen gloves are your solution. These gloves are suitable for use on a variety of fingers, including the index, middle, and thumb. There are plenty of reputable brands out there. 

Many products are just regular gloves, so they don’t work when the temperature drops too low. However, there are insulated and even heated gloves as well, ones that can be used when the temperature drops down low.

These gloves are soft and warm. The inner lining is soft fleece. Users describe the gloves as being exceptionally well-made gloves with no loose threads and excellent insulation. There are three sizes to choose from: medium, large, and extra large.

Garmin Vivofit 4

Garmin claims that the Vivofit 4 activity tracker is one of the best options if you’re looking for a fitness band that tracks your primary activity and sends you notifications. It records your daily activity, including steps, distance traveled, calories burned, and sleep patterns, and gives you a calorie-burning goal to work toward.

Unlike more advanced products, this one doesn’t track your heart rate. However, the lack of heart rate tracking does keep the price down.

There is no need to charge the device, as the battery life lasts up to a year. The screen is always on and the color can be customized, making the device easy and practical.

The Garmin Vivofit 4 is waterproof too, so you can take a bath with it and even go swimming. Like most such products, the wristband syncs with your device and you can use an app for more detailed information.

You can save, plan, and share your activities with others using Garmin Connect. You can also take part in social challenges and other activities using Garmin Connect.

The display on the Garmin Vivofit 4 is small, but you can flip through multiple screens to view more information.

Jitterbug Smart 3

The Jitterbug Smart 3 is a simple, bright smartphone for the elderly that provides a wide range of health services. Some features include access to an urgent response and urgent care network, along with the Lively Link app, which helps connect caregivers to seniors.

There’s no doubt that the company’s goal is to keep the phone affordable for seniors on fixed incomes. Their plan appears to be reasonably priced with unlimited talk and text for $19.99/month and data plans starting at $2.49/month. Because this plan provides nationwide coverage, there are no contracts or cancellation fees.

Reading has never been more enjoyable than it is now, thanks to the large touchscreen. It’s simple to navigate, thanks to a single list menu with large letters and icons. No doubt, it is an impressive smartphone. Photo sharing is a breeze thanks to the 13.0 megapixels and flash built into the camera itself. 

The phone seems good for shaky hands, according to some users. This phone’s home screen is well-organized, with the most frequently used apps at the top and a large, easy-to-read typeface.

The company has award-winning customer service in the U.S., which is backed by many online reviews.

There are, however, some weaknesses.

• You need to go through Lively as the provider (formerly GreatCall). You can’t add the phone to your current network.
• Because the company isn’t as large as the main cellular networks and phone producers, there’s more likelihood of issues with the product and customer service.
• Best for people who mostly use the internet at home, as the plans don’t provide much data.
• The current version of the Jitterbug Smart 3 is only 4G compatible, rather than 5G

Philips Somneo

For anyone struggling with early mornings, the sleep and wake up lights from Philips are an amazing choice. The main features include:

• Basic time telling and alarm clock functionality
• Light that changes gradually over time, stimulating natural sunset and sunrise
• Gentle nature sounds and music to promote relaxation
• Other lighting options, including reading modes and nightlight
• FM radio
• Customizable brightness levels

These features can all make going to sleep and getting up much easier. The lamp is particularly appealing for anyone who isn’t sleeping and waking with the sun (like seniors who need to go to bed early).

There are multiple products in the range, which vary in their price and what they offer, including the following.

• Philips SmartSleep Connected Sleep and Wake-Up Light HF3670/60. This is the most expensive and feature-filled version, with 25 brightness settings, 8 wake-up sounds, 4 relaxation sounds, and a light intensity of 315 Lux. It also has a snooze function, can charge your mobile phone, and connects to the company’s SleepMapper app.
• Philips SmartSleep Sleep and Wake-Up Light HF3650/60. This model has a slightly decreased lighting intensity (310 Lux) and comes with 7 wakeup sounds and 3 relaxation sounds. It still charges your phone and has a snooze function, but it doesn’t connect with the SleepMapper app.
• Philips SOMNEO Sleep & Wake-Up Light Therapy Lamp Sunrise Alarm and Sunset Fading Night Light HF3651/60. Philips provides fewer comparison details for this model, but it appears to have similar features to the previous one (although this time there are a total of 8 sounds).
• Philips SmartSleep Wake-up Light HF3520/60. This version drops the brightness down again (to 300 Lux). It only has 5 wakeup sounds and no relaxation sounds. There is a snooze function too, but no SleepMapper app or phone charging.
• Philips Wake-up Light HF3505/60. This is the simplest product, but also the least expensive. It only simulates sunrise (while the rest simulate sunrise and sunset). There are just 10 brightness settings and the light intensity only goes up to 200 Lux. There are only 2 wakeup sounds to choose from and no relaxation sounds.

The products have all been shown to provide you with a leisurely and energetic wake-up and improve your mood in the morning.

Some users have noted some distortion on a few of the tracks. It’s likely the company has already addressed this. Plus, most of the products have a decent selection of audios, so you should still find plenty of enjoyable ones.

Comfortable and Affordable Headphones

Many headsets currently allow you to stay aware of your surroundings, even if you completely want to drown out outside noise. That’s probably the safest way to make sure an older person can hear the doorbell, the phone, or the kitchen timer ring.

It doesn’t matter how you look at it; the ability of a headset to deliver clear sound while not wholly blocking out critical sounds may one day save your life.

Another factor to consider is the cushion and comfort that surrounds a senior’s ear. Do they have a hearing aid on them? Do they have eyeglasses on? Headsets can be a nuisance because of the extra bulk they add around the ear. Several models are tight enough to keep them from falling off without leaving an outline of their hearing device or glasses on their temples. 

These are some examples of headsets that are affordable, good quality, and highly rated.

Pollini Over Ear Headphones

The range of these headphones is approximately 20 feet. The units are sturdy and come with a large carrying case. They are very functional, can connect via wireless, and have an excellent Bluetooth range is excellent.

The headphones can be easily paired with your phone and television. They have plush memory foam with adjustable ear cups and combined with lightweight construction. …

Corsair HS35 Gaming Headset

This headset is super comfy, and the sound quality is excellent; however, the microphone can occasionally be problematic.

The HS35 Stereo headset does not have a wireless connection; instead, it makes use of a 3.5mm connector. Its cable measures approximately 6 feet 9 inches in length. The lack of a wireless connection isn’t necessarily a problem, as wired connections are often more reliable, and can be easier for seniors to set up.

While there is no active noise cancellation for this product, the headphones are lightweight and easy to use.

HyperX Cloud Stinger

This is another product that was designed as a gaming headset, but acts as a fantastic tech gift for seniors too.

It has automatic noise cancellation, with no software required. Just plug the headset in and it is good to go.

The ear cups are large and comfortable. There’s a swivel feature on each ear cup, which reduces the chance of them breaking. The headset also comes with a 2 year factory warranty on the headset, cord, and accessories.

The Tablet Holder

The portability of tablets makes them powerful, but sometimes you need more than just a flat screen. Anyone watching shows on a tablet or playing games for extended periods needs a way to prop the device up. This doesn’t just reduce strain on your neck and hands, but also reduces the chance that you’ll drop the expensive device.

Depending on your needs, you may require a stand to hold your tablet or iPad while you prepare a recipe in the kitchen. Maybe you need something more comfortable to prop up on your lap outside in the garden while you enjoy your morning coffee. There are a few types out there to choose from.

While some of these products are designed for specific tablets, like the iPad, most will work with other types of tablets, regardless of their size. Many will even hold smartphones just as well as tablets.

Flippy iPad Tablet Stand

This tablet stand can be adjusted to provide additional support when reading a recipe or during video chat. It is ideal for tablets as well as books and has three sides and three angles from which to view the device. It is constructed of lightweight foam and covered in ultra-suede for a durable and flexible design.

It comes in a variety of colors.

AboveTEK: Adjustable Long Arm Stand

This unusual stand has excellent stability. The main arms can rotate 360 degrees. The stand is heavy and sturdy enough to support a full-size DSLR camera, and it does not require any additional assembly. You can find a wide range of table holder styles for different scenarios from TEK here.

UGREEN Tablet Holder

This tablet holder has a simple design and comes in black or white. It is made of hard plastic with non-slip rubber on the inside and outside of the bottom lip, but has the appearance of metal. The hinge works flawlessly, holding any angle.

This holder weighs 5.6 ounces, which is easy to carry. Bear in mind, this tablet holder won’t fit an iPad Pro 12.9 3rd generation, as it requires an additional cover for large-sized products in order to be adjusted correctly.

Omoton Tablet Stand Holder

The stand is extremely sturdy and capable of supporting a large device. While using the touchscreen, the device does not wobble, which is important.

It doesn’t require the use of a rubber band or anything else to keep the tablet in position.

It can only move up and down, but it can be used for video conferencing or chatting on the phone or tablets.

Also, while we’re talking about best tech gifts for seniors, don’t forget about tablets themselves. The right tablet can be an entertaining gift, giving seniors access to countless apps and games.

Ring Video Doorbell 3

The Ring Video Doorbell allows you to see, hear and speak to anyone at your front door right from your phone, tablet, or computer in high definition. When someone presses your doorbell, your built-in motion sensors will be triggered, and you’ll receive notifications on your smartphone, whether you’re at home or across town.

A rechargeable battery powers the device or it can be powered by connecting wires to a source of constant power. There is not much complicated about using the Ring Video Doorbell 3. It begins working as soon as you connect it to WiFi using the Ring app.

When you connect your Ring doorbell to Amazon’s Echo, you will be able to hear announcements on your compatible Echo device whenever your doorbell is pressed, as well as see a live view of your camera if you have an Echo device with a screen. Visitors can be addressed by saying, “Alexa, talk to the front door.”

The Ring app allows you to select various levels of security, including 24/7 remote monitoring. The system can alert you to neighborhood crime or see videos posted by others, as well as share photos of lost pets and items.

Conclusion

These are just some of the many fantastic tech gifts for seniors. You’ll be able to see more by simply looking at the related items on Amazon for any of the gifts we’ve talked about.

Most of the gifts we’ve highlighted aren’t just enjoyable, they’re also practical and can make life easier. Seniors are often unwilling to purchase such products for themselves, as they’re not familiar with all they have to offer. You can help bridge the digital divide by putting these new inventions before your senior friend or relative. These new products remove some of the daily hassles, improve safety and help older adults in their goals to live a healthy life.