If you are not online, you can forget about keeping in touch with your grandchildren. That is just the reality we are living in. However, for seniors living with dyscalculia or dyslexia, using the internet can be incredibly stressful and even dangerous. To help you with this necessary form of communication, we have put together a comprehensive guide to make the experience less stressful and more fun.
How Dyscalculia and Dyslexia Affects People Later in Life
Most of the media attention on dyscalculia and dyslexia is focused on how these maladies affect youngsters. Yet, older adults also have trouble living a normal life and performing specific activities when they are afflicted by these disabilities. In turn, this can cause undue frustration and stress.
Seniors who acquire dyslexia and dyscalculia later in life often do so through trauma, dementia, stroke, or brain injury. For dementia and stroke, stress is typically a contributing factor. When stress is the source of dyslexia or dyscalculia, a dangerous cycle develops.
As dyscalculics and dyslexics put in extra effort to deal with numbers, math, and reading, they get frustrated and mentally-exhausted. This added stress can lead to other health issues or worsen the condition. Unfortunately, trying to use the internet is one of the more stressful experiences for seniors, especially with all of the scammers out there trying to prey on your inexperience. Thankfully, there are some steps you can take to stay safe on the internet and avoid the added stress.
Tips for Safe Internet Use
According to the United States Department of Homeland Security, seniors are defrauded on the internet twice as often as the rest of the population. One way that scammers take advantage of older adults is by tricking them into visiting fraudulent websites. Luckily, there are some easy steps you can take to avoid getting fooled:
Don’t Click on Links or Attachments in Emails
Attachments in emails are a popular way for cybercriminals to upload viruses to your computer. “Phishing” emails are also common. This is an email from a seemingly trusted source that asks for personal information. Most financial institutions and retailers will not ask for personal information through email.
Keep a List of Frequently Visited Websites
Another way scammers prey on older adults is by creating websites that are very similar to the sites you are used to visiting. To avoid ending up on these sites when mistyping the address of the site you want, keep a list of your favourite web addresses. This way, you can just copy and paste to get where you want to go.
Choose a Password Manager
These days, any password you can remember probably is not secure enough. Plus, isn’t it a pain to have to accurately type out your password each time? There are many excellent password managers on the market that produce incredibly secure passwords for you, keep track of them, and can even fill out web forms for you. You don’t have to remember anything.
With these tips, you can surf the web safely and take the anxiety out of an activity that is commonly stressful for seniors with dyscalculia or dyslexia.