Senior Sleuth Guides

Using the Internet to promote a book about why Seniors should use the Internet (and other technologies) is a bit tricky. If they are already online, they probably won’t be the book’s target audience. If they are NOT online, then they’ll never see the online ads or videos.

So the reality is that I’ll probably need to use more traditional forms of advertising to reach the primary audience of this book. However, I can still use the Internet to market to online audiences looking to buy a gift for their parents, grandparents, or older friends.

With that in mind, here are two sample video commercials for the book, “The Senior Sleuth’s Guide to Technology for Seniors.” One of the videos targets a younger consumer looking for a gift for his parent or grandparent. The other video targets the older consumer who might be looking for a gift for a friend or relative. Can you tell which video targets which consumer?

Video #1.

Video #2.

I just returned from an author event in Milwaukee, where I discussed my book, “The Senior Sleuth’s Guide to Technology for Seniors.” I gave my talk highlighting some of the cool technologies available to seniors including computers, the Internet, medication management devices, tech for independent living, communication, travel and fun.  And then I opened up the floor for questions and comments. Here are a few questions/comments that I received.

Q. Do the “life line” emergency call products work outside of your home?

A. The question was referring to those panic button products that you press when you’ve “fallen and can’t get up.” These have gotten more sophisticated and some now feature automatic fall detection. If you fall, an emergency call (or text) is sent to a monitoring service and/or friends. Unfortunately, these gadgets are currently all tethered to a receiver in your home. If you go beyond the receiver range and then fall, you are on your own. However, I’ve chatted informally with a couple of companies about whether they will offer a mobile solution, which will detect falls and send for help via a cell phone (or similar transmitting device), and most have hinted that they are currently working on some such solution.

(If anyone knows of a company that currently offers fall monitoring and alerts through a cell phone, please let me know.)

Q. Is your book already out of date?

A. Not yet. We published in late 2009 and we expect to remain relevant for at least 24 months. This book covers a broad range of technology types and then provides references for learning more about each. For example, the digital video cameras chapter features different types of cameras (from budget consumer to professional models) and then provides a couple of example models (from 2009). The sample models may go out of date quickly, but the “types” will be more persistent.

With that said, technology does change fast and so we’ll have to publish a new edition approximately every 24 months to keep up.

Q. What’s the “neatest” technology for seniors?

A. There are a lot of cool gadgets out there, but the thing I’m most excited about is robotics–especially robotics to improve mobility. Imagine an exoskeleton worn around your legs to improve your balance and supplement strength. Now imagine those leg supplements controlled by simple thought through a brain interface. This sounds like crazy sci-fi, but researchers are getting close.

On another note, I think the most *useful* and underutilized gadget out there is the automatic pill reminder/dispenser. If you take 5 or more pills a day (as 20% of Americans 60+ do), this could be the gadget for you.

I have another event coming up in early June. I’ll make sure to post the interesting questions/comments from that session as well.

Looking for a book that features senior citizens gallivanting across the universe, battling alien species and having lots of sex? Of course you are! Well, you’re in luck.

The book, “Old Man’s War,” by John Scalzi has all of these things and more.

This insanely fun sci-fi novel takes place on a future Earth, which has figured out space travel and has engaged in a intergalactic land battle. Here’s the twist–the soldiers aren’t the 18-25 year old kids that we send to battle today; rather, the army is manned by senior citizens. When you hit your 75th birthday, you have the option to enlist, at which time you get a body upgrade. I won’t give you any more details than this–let’s just say, I would love one of these bodies.

The main character learns the ins and outs of galactic battle and then begins to struggle with the apparent purpose of the war.

This book has everything. If you like action and battles, you’ll like this book. If you oppose nation building, you’ll like this book. If you like aliens, you’ll like this book. If you like humanity (which I hope you do), you’ll like this book.

This book was published in 2007. Your library probably has it, but I recommend buying it and passing it around among your friends. Better yet–you should all buy a copy for your next book club. You’ll get countless hours enjoyment discussing the future as presented in this book.

(Note: I have no relation to the author or any stake in his financial success. I just really like this book.)