Every day, 10,000 Americans turn 65 years old, and every day, they’re redefining what it means to grow older. At GreatCall, we truly believe that technology is transforming the way Americans age, and have seen its positive impact first-hand. As a company that creates products and services that work together to allow older adults to stay safe, connected and healthy, stories of older adults inspire us every day.
To that end, we recently challenged documentary filmmakers to tell a story to start a conversation about what growing older means in our current culture, and maybe even how technology is impacting that journey. Here is filmmaker Michael Ulmer’s thoughts on his take on this subject.
This is Grandma, call me back
“Sometimes the best stories are right under your nose. My grandma has always been in the know about the latest technology, but one day it hit me, she was born in 1935 and she now books flights on her phone. That’s crazy. As a traveling filmmaker, I spend a lot of time away from my family, so anytime I get the chance to combine family time and my passion I jump on it. My grandma Donna and I sat down together and talked about what it has been like growing older and adapting to new technology over the years. I sat and listened to stories from her past that I had never heard. In that moment, I learned more about her than I did in 29 years. Her passion for staying up to date with technology is so she can stay in touch with her family, the most important thing to her.”
Have a story of your own to share? Let us know in the comments below! And for more inspiring videos, free caregiving tips and active aging resources, sign up for updates with your email using the box on the right of this article.
Older people are so under valued here in America.
Technology changes, but basic human behavior has not evolved that much.
We need to listen to older people and learn.
Back in the day there was commercial for a product to provide headache relief called Excedrin. Their catch phrase was “your own headache is always the worse”. After reading this piece watching the video and I find “me” sailing into my elder years and reviewing kai windings comment I’m reminded of that commercial those many years ago and am able to absolutely validate the truth in both.
I am that senior citizen trying hard to keep up with technology and noot doing as well as I would hope. Why don’t the younger generations want to mentor us as we do not have the resources to learn like they do!
I have a I phone & a lap top, but i still like to talk on the phone & hear a loving voice, & I am 83 years young.
If you want to comminicate with me, call me on the phone. Reading a message is not the same as hearing your voice and understanding your feelings. And I’m not in such a hurry that I need to see 7 or 8 words to communicate. A 15 min. call fills some of the lonliness and long days that older people experience. Hello, how are you doing. fills many long hours alone. Try it!
My Phone is My Life with out Children Calling Me I would be so lost Try t keep busy but it gets lonely
I am 76 years old and I have a celllphone and computer/tablet and I do email and facebook and also order some things on line. I like to keep up with my extended family; brothers and sister, nieces/nephews, cousins, etc., this way. Without it I would not be able to stay in contact with them. I do like to receive calls on my landline though but don’t get that many anymore. Hearing a voice is better than typing a message. I think there is a place for social media but we need to also keep in physical touch with our loved ones. I like to visit or receive a visit from my great-grandchild to hug her and talk with her. Nothing takes the place of human contact.
Brenda Inman. Use FaceTime. That’s fun also.
My husband was 83 years young when he passed away . He learned a bit about computers, but not enough . SHE is so amazing ! I am inspired to learn more . THANK YOU Trudi Dido
My grandchildren went together and got me a iPad 10years ago ,I love it specially when we talk live
On face time . I just got a call and got to see my new great grandson 2 hrs old what a special treat I’m 89 and still enjoy the Ipad .
I Have an IPAD also my children helped me get it and showed me how . I am able to talk to them and see them .
What a Blessing in my life . My one Daughter lives out West and what a Blessing to talk to her and see her and family . Blessings!💖💖💖🙏🙏
Am 72 and it have been a blessing to see and talk to my children, grands and see my great grands to, would like to help others with messages of support, is so great the capacity and knowledge of men and women of this era.
I am 86 years old and love my tablet. I keep in touch with all my grand and great grand children via Facebook and texts.
Technology has been a great resource for me before CoVid 9 and now during the isolation time. I am 75 use either my cellphone or IPad everyday. I love FaceTime,teleconferencing and zoom.
I would love to have more info on this.
I wish the pictures were better–they are very poor.
96 year old great grand-mother would love to have the black wrist model but being able to afford such is out since I live alone and have many bills to pay each month !
This would be a great in case I fell and they would be notified or if I could not answer the 911 would take over !
It must be wonderful for those who have the money as you can visit all the grand,and great-grand children !