56% of seniors aged 70 and over are connected to the Internet at home according to 2016 data from the Research Center for the Study and Observation of Living Conditions (Crédoc). Access to the Internet is not generalized among seniors, but it is progressing to concern a little more than half of the over 70s today, against 6% in 2006. 17% of them and 31% of the 60 -69 years own a digital tablet.
If this equipment is more the prerogative of the youngest, seniors are more and more interested in it:as proof, in 2011, practically none of the over 70s had a tablet, and even fewer an e-reader. However, the latter is a good way to familiarize older people with the Internet and the various digital applications. The tablet offers the advantage of being easy to use and transport, provided you choose it well. Let's review the main criteria to consider when buying the best tablet for seniors.
The use of a tablet, and in particular browsing the Internet, must be comfortable for seniors. Because of this, the screen size must be large enough to accommodate especially the vision problems of the elderly. In addition, its tactile manipulation will be facilitated. Tablet screen sizes are usually 7 or 10 inches. The smaller size (7 inches) is recommended for reading and using applications such as video calls or viewing photos, but it is better to choose a larger size (10 inches) for browsing the Internet.
The tablet is ideal for seniors for simple uses:surfing the Internet and managing emails in particular. Prefer operating systems that favor easy-to-find icons and that allow direct access to the various features. There are 3 operating systems:iOS (from Apple), Android (from Google) and Windows (from Microsoft). Each of them offers different ergonomics and presentation of the applications available on a tablet. It is therefore important for seniors to test them in stores before purchasing to be sure that the tablet will be well suited to their use and their level of computer skills.
Using a tablet can be a source of problems for a senior in the event of difficulty accessing certain applications, connection failure, etc. To avoid finding yourself without a solution in front of your tablet, it is best to opt for a brand that offers good after-sales service and above all easy-to-access technical assistance. Many models of tablets specially intended for seniors now exist on the market, characterized by their great ease of use and good support.
