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Agents For Life
LEARNING NEW TECHNOLOGY AT ANY AGE How Fear Shapes Our Habits
There’s one phrase we hear all the time from friends and the seniors we work with: “I’m just not a tech person.” With all the new tools and gadgets out there, we get it. Things can feel overwhelming. There’s always something new to try, and it might sound easier to just stick with what we know instead of going outside our comfort zones. But there’s an important distinction to make here. It’s the distinction between belief and reality. Older adults may believe they lack the ability to learn new technology, but that’s simply not true. So, why do so many people think that? It’s really a mix of psychology, past experiences, and how tech is presented to us. The world older adults grew up in looked a lot different. Machines were more expensive, and repairs were harder on the budget. If you broke something, there was no undo button. Many of us were taught not to touch things unless we knew how to use them. Now, we look at a slim phone or a laptop filled with unfamiliar icons, and it all looks complicated and delicate. It’s easy to think that one wrong tap could erase something important or lead to an expensive
fix. Once it’s established, that fear becomes stronger than curiosity.
People then start folding the same fear into their identity. They repeat the same lines to themselves about not being “computer people” or that their minds just don’t work that way. Pretty soon, those lines start feeling like facts instead of opinions. By the time a new tool shows up, they already feel defeated. The ability to learn the tool is there, but they’ve convinced themselves that technology belongs to someone else. On top of all this, a lot of people have a rough experience when learning to use a new platform or device. Manuals can be confusing, buttons don’t make sense, and we might not get the best help from the people who actually know how to use them. Many times, the person just takes over instead of slowing down and showing us the steps we need to take to do it on our own. Of course, none of that builds confidence. It teaches people to back away from anything that looks technical. And then just when something starts to feel familiar,
David Bennett (808) 392-7515 david@seniorhealth.pro
Irma Bennett (808) 799-0399 irma@seniorhealth.pro
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March/April 2026
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there’s an update or something new to learn. Meanwhile, young people are tapping through screens and programs without thinking twice. After all that, it’s not hard to see why seniors start feeling like the problem must be them. Even still, we don’t think that “I’m not a tech person” should be the end of your story. The next time a thought like that pops into your head, try treating it like a habit rather than a hard truth. Most of the time, it comes from previous frustrations rather than an inability to learn something new. In our experience, most seniors are able to pick up new skills (even those involving technology) quite well when they’re given clear instructions and stop letting past experiences get in their way. A good place to start is with a single goal. Pick one thing that would make life easier or more fun. Maybe you want to be able to access lab results on your health care provider’s website or learn to do video calls with the
grandkids. Whatever it is, sit with someone you trust and let them walk you through it, but do the tapping yourself. If something goes wrong, you can close the screen and start again. It might take a few tries, but you may find that you’re more of a “tech person” than you thought. –David and Irma Bennett
Meet Your New Birthday Card Helper TRYING AI FOR PERSONAL MESSAGE
follow his dreams. What makes me proud: the way he loves people, his reading ability, how fast he is growing up. Make the tone: encouraging, playful, warm, funny.
Many seniors feel unsure about using artificial intelligence (AI), and that is completely understandable. It’s a new technology that many of us don’t really understand. But think of all the major technological changes in the past that were also a little scary to people at first. There was electricity, automobiles, air travel, and even microwave ovens. More recently, we saw the arrival of home computers, the internet, email, and mobile phones. AI is no different. It’s just a new technology that feels intimidating until you learn to use it. Once you start to experiment, you’ll find that it can help with a lot of things. So, we are giving you an assignment to help you take your first step into the
new world of artificial intelligence. Let’s use AI to write a really good birthday card greeting for one of your grandkids.
Step 1: Type “ ChatGPT.com ” into your web browser.
Then hit the Enter key.
Step 2: Type in words to tell AI what you want. (It’s called a prompt.)
Step 3: Choose your favorite greeting of the five and write it in the birthday card. That’s all there is to it. You’ll never again struggle to write something different and interesting in birthday cards. And you can use this same approach to write other things as well, including notes to friends and family, thank-you cards, and holiday messages. Try it and let us know what you think!
Here’s the prompt you type in, but first change the bolded words to whatever fits your situation: Give me 5 different birthday greetings for my grandson Seth . He is age 7 . He likes: Legos, dinosaurs. What I love about him: his smile and laughter. What I hope for him: work hard in school, help his mom,
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Trade Your Empty Nest for Financial Freedom THE TINY HOME TREND FOR SECURE SENIOR LIVING
intentional thought to creating communities that enable older Americans to age in place. Many have features that make our lives easier as we age. Flooring that allows medical devices to function smoothly, elevated appliances, easy- to-open shelving, motion-activated lighting, and remote-control blinds are just a few examples of the helpful elements found in many tiny home communities. The houses are usually single-level to eliminate the dangers of stairs and feature accessible bathroom designs to promote safety and more. From Oregon to Florida, tiny home communities are popping up all over the country. If you’re looking for a healthy way to age in place without breaking the bank, consider downsizing to a tiny home.
As we grow older, we start to give more thought to the idea of retirement. After working diligently for decades, many people want to step away from work to spend their senior years traveling, enjoying time with loved ones, and taking steps to ensure they can age in place. However, retirement seems more like a dream than a reality for many Americans. While there is no magic number for how much retirement costs in 2026, experts estimate that most Americans will need over $1 million to maintain their standard of living through retirement. If you haven’t poured money into your retirement accounts throughout your career, you may
be concerned about having a big enough nest egg in the future. You may worry you’ll have to continue working until your body gives out, but that’s not necessarily true for everyone. Among strategies you can use to shore up your retirement savings, one that has gained popularity is downsizing. Once the kids leave the nest and start families of their own, you may have more space than you know what to do with. While you could move into an apartment or a smaller home in your neighborhood, you may benefit from exploring the idea of a tiny home community. In recent years, home developers have given more
Zucchini Noodle Pad Thai
Of course, not everyone is able to care for a pet full time, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the benefits in other ways. Some people choose to spend time with a family member’s pet, while others like seeing therapy animals at church or a community group. Regardless of how they come into your life, sharing space with an animal can improve your day and overall well-being. ... continued from Page 4
• 1/2 red bell pepper • 3 green onions • 1 large egg • 2 cups bean sprouts
Sauce • 2 tbsp rice vinegar • 2 tbsp fish sauce • 3 tbsp ketchup
INGREDIENTS Pad Thai • 2 medium zucchini • 2 tbsp olive oil, divided • 1/2 lb peeled and deveined shrimp • 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/3 cup roasted peanuts • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro (optional) • Lime wedges (optional)
• 1 tsp packed brown sugar • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper • 1 tsp chili garlic sauce
DIRECTIONS 1. In small bowl, combine sauce ingredients; set aside. 2. Using vegetable spiralizer, cut zucchini into noodles. 3. Heat large pan on medium-high heat. Add 1 tbsp olive oil (reserve the other half). 4. Add zucchini noodles; cook for 2–3 minutes. 5. Let noodles rest for about 3 minutes. Remove noodles, drain, then reheat pan.
6. Add remaining olive oil and garlic; cook 30 seconds. 7. Add shrimp; cook 3 minutes. 8. Add bell peppers and green onions; cook 1–2 minutes. 9. Add egg and stir until cooked. 10. Add back zucchini noodles, then add sauce, and cook for 1 minute. Then add bean sprouts. 11. Serve, garnishing with roasted peanuts, cilantro, and lime wedges as desired.
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Inside This Issue
1 Rethinking ‘I’m Not a Tech Person’ 2 A Simple First Step Into AI 3 Downsizing to a Tiny Home Can Save Your Retirement Hopes
3 Zucchini Noodle Pad Thai 4 Companionship With Real Health Perks
A DAILY BOOST FROM ANIMALS How Pets Keep Seniors Feeling Better
If you share your home with a pet, you probably don’t need a study to tell you they are good for you. Still, researchers have found that animals can help older adults handle stress and feel less lonely. They can even improve your health. For many people in their later years, a pet is more than company. It is a daily source of meaning, connection, and energy. As life changes with retirement, kids moving out, or the loss of a spouse, it’s easy for days to feel quieter than they used to. A pet can give you reason to get up and move and help you stay engaged. Feeding, brushing, and caring for an animal creates a simple routine and sense of being needed. That feeling matters at any age, but it can be especially important in this season of life.
hello. People at the park ask about the dog’s name or age. Even short chats like that break up the day and keep you feeling part of things. At home, a pet keeps the house from feeling too quiet. It’s nice to come back to a wagging tail or a soft purr instead of an empty room. Taking care of a pet can give your energy a gentle lift, too. A short walk with a dog gets you outside and moving. Grooming a cat or tossing a toy across the room may not feel like exercise, but it gets you out of the chair. Time with a pet can even calm your nerves and lighten your mood. Some seniors also find deep joy in adopting an older shelter pet. Giving a good home to an animal that might otherwise be overlooked can be a powerful way to add purpose and warmth to everyday life.
Pets can also help you stay connected. A dog on a leash is a natural conversation starter. Neighbors stop to say
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