Technology for Seniors That Feels Easy From the First Tap

Technology for seniors works when it is simple to start and pleasant to come back to. Games are one of the gentlest ways in: they give people a reason to tap, scroll and type, and a little win every few minutes. Here is how families, senior centers and technology programs use ElderWit.com.

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Why technology can feel hard

Small print, crowded screens, pop up ads, passwords and constant updates turn a five minute task into a frustrating afternoon. Many older adults are perfectly capable with technology. They simply have not been given tools that respect their eyes, their hands and their time.

What senior friendly technology looks like

Large text and big buttons that are easy to read and easy to tap.
Text size you can change in one place, and a strong contrast setting for bright rooms and projectors.
Read aloud. Tap the speaker to hear the question and the choices.
Nothing to install. It opens in the web browser, so there is no app store and no update screen.
No ads and no surprises. Nothing jumps onto the screen in the middle of a game.
Three levels for every game, so a beginner and a confident player can both enjoy it.

Using games in a senior technology program

Senior technology classes often start with the basics: turning on a tablet, tapping, scrolling and typing. A game makes that practice feel like play instead of homework. A simple four week plan:

Week 1: Tap and play. Open ElderWit.com on a tablet and try an Easy word or card game.
Week 2: Make it yours. Change the text size, turn on read aloud and save a favorite game.
Week 3: Play together. Start a game, share the 5 letter code, and play with a classmate on another screen.
Week 4: Big screen. Put a trivia game on the TV and let the class lead the room.

The same steps work in a library, a senior center or an activity room. See more senior center activities.

For families: technology for seniors living alone

A tablet with ElderWit.com saved on the home screen gives a parent or grandparent something calm and engaging to do any time of day. With Play together, you can play a game of checkers or four in a row from your own home: you start the game, read them the 5 letter code, and you are playing in a minute. See games to play with grandparents and online games for seniors.

Technology programs and assistive technology

Many county programs group technology for older adults together with assistive technology. ElderWit.com is not a device and it makes no health claims. It is a games website designed for easy use. Our guide to assistive technology for seniors explains where it fits and how centers set it up on tablets and a big TV.

For directors: how technology programs typically pay

Every town, county and facility sets its own rules, so check with your finance office or your Area Agency on Aging before you plan on any source. These are the places directors most often look:

The town senior center budget. Many towns pay for games, crafts and activity supplies from the senior center's program or supplies line.
County aging funds for recreation, socialization or technology. Under the Older Americans Act, Title III B supportive services can support senior center activities, when your county's plan allows it.
The facility activity budget. In senior living, the same line that pays for activity supplies and entertainment.
Friends groups and local donors who support the center's programs.

ElderWit.com keeps the paperwork simple: one fixed price per location, paid up front, a price sheet you can download as a PDF, your purchase order number printed on it, and our vendor tax form, ready to download once you sign in. How purchasing works

Games that suit a touch screen

Tap a name to play. Every game has three levels: Easy, Medium and Harder.

Word Search Find the hidden words in the grid.
Jigsaw Put a picture back together, one piece at a time.
Coloring Tap a color, then tap a shape to fill it in. Calm and easy.
Checkers The classic board game, at a calm pace.
Four in a Row Drop your pieces and line up four before the other player.
Tic Tac Toe Three in a row wins. Quick, friendly and easy to learn.
Dots and Boxes Draw lines between dots and close the most boxes.
Gentle Jokes Read a joke. Guess the answer. Then tap to see it.

More ideas: tablet games for seniors and recreation for seniors.

Questions people ask

Do I need to install anything?

No. ElderWit.com runs in the web browser on a tablet, phone, laptop or TV. There is no app to install and nothing to update.

Which devices work best?

Any screen with a web browser works. Tablets are the easiest for one person, and a TV or projector is best for a group. Text size can be made larger in the settings.

Can two people play from different homes?

Yes. With Play together, one person starts a game and shares a 5 letter code. The other person types the code on their own screen and you play together. The guest needs no account.

Is ElderWit.com assistive technology?

ElderWit.com is a games website, not a device, and it makes no health claims. It is built for easy use, with large text, big buttons, read aloud and a strong contrast setting, so it fits well in technology programs for older adults. Ask your program how it groups a purchase like this. More in our guide to assistive technology for seniors.

How much does it cost for a center or facility?

The Group Plan is $179 a month or $1,790 a year per location, with a 14 day trial. Families can see home plans on the plans page.

Try every game with your own group first. One fixed price per location after that.

Start your 14 day trial See the Group Plan

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