Libby Jacobson Fox

Earlier this summer, Verizon hosted a mobile technology training session for local senior citizens in Washington DC. There, I saw first-hand the promise that mobile technology holds for seniors. From staying connected with their families, to accessing community resources, senior citizens represent a significant (and growing) portion of the “mobile-first” generation.

At a more recent class held in September at the Knollwood Military Retirement Residence in Northwest DC, I spoke with several participants to understand how, in their own words, their smartphones and tablets are enriching their lives. Dr. Jerry Earll, a retired physician who practiced internal medicine and geriatrics, spoke about the ways mobile technology has changed medicine for both patients and practitioners. “Technology offers real-time updates and helps to expand differential diagnoses for a particular group of symptoms. You can determine the side effects of pharmaceuticals instantaneously. It also empowers patients to take preventive measures to protect their health.”