The Coronavirus pandemic has introduced challenges and obstacles none of us have faced before, personally or professionally. It has created hardships across the globe, and social distancing isolates us all from family, friends, and colleagues.

We have all had to explore new ways of connecting with each other and going about our day-to-day lives. For retirees who aren’t tech-savvy, this often means learning new technology platforms and applications for just about every aspect of life, from entertainment to healthcare and finances.

Thanks to video chat you’ve been able to check in on family across the country and participate in birthday parties and graduation celebrations. You’ve used streaming services to watch movies and listen to music.

You’ve used online news services and social media to keep up on current events and important health care developments, but these tools are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the ways technology can improve your life and your retirement during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Below are three areas of your retirement that developing technology could improve.

Monitoring and Improving Your Health

Isolation from loved ones can put you at risk for depression and other mental health conditions. Staying active and fit are more important than ever, however many retirees are wary of heading outdoors or to the gym to exercise.

Technology provides a way to follow a wellness program right from the comfort of your own home. There are several fitness applications and videos for every age and stage of life that provide fitness routines you can follow anywhere you are.

Most smart phones have basic apps built in that keep track of how much you’re moving during the day. Dig a little deeper into those apps and you’ll find ways to track your diet, and even ask for notifications that nudge you off the couch or remind you take medication!

Keeping up with doctors’ appointments has become more challenging as well.

Many doctors are moving basic services online, and video chat (usually Telehealth) is a safe and secure way for retirees to get non-emergency medical advice without having to go to a doctor’s office.

Pharmacies have apps to have medications delivered, as well as check on the status of refills. If you haven’t heard from your doctor or pharmacy yet about how to connect with them virtually, give them a call and they can help get you set up.

Pursuing Hobbies and Higher Learning

Isolation can also breed boredom. If you are unable to keep up with in-person hobbies and activities due to social distancing requirements, technology can provide the solution.

Online videos and mini classes can teach you to bake, draw, play an instrument, and even learn new languages! There are several platforms available online to explore online classes, like Udemy, Skillshare, and Masterclass.

If learning something new during the Coronavirus quarantine has sparked an interest in continuing your education, go for it!

It’s likely your local university or community college offers a wide variety of online classes. Many institutions also offer heavily discounted or even free tuition for senior retirees.

There are also sites like Coursera or edX that let you choose between auditing classes or taking a more serious track towards college credit. 

For something a little less regimented, there are also many online platforms that will help explore and develop hobbies and casual interests. With a targeted search to weed out the junk, YouTube can be a fantastic educational resource. Many content creators on YouTube structure their videos as sequential lessons designed to ramp up challenges as your skills increase.

Your local gym, art studio, or country club might also have branched into online classes during the pandemic.

Accessing Financial Information and Advice

Getting comfortable with accessing your financial information online can be a little scary, but if you follow the same common sense you use when you banish fishy emails to your spam folder, you’ll be able to check in on your accounts with confidence and ease.

Now is also a good time to start moving more of your bill payments online, eliminating the need to physically mail payments. Automating online payments can also help ensure you’re making payments on time and sticking to your budget.

One of the biggest adjustments retirees face is transitioning from living off a regular paycheck to living off a fixed income.

Retirement might be the first time in your life that you’ve had to set – and stick to – a strict monthly budget. Apps and online services can help you get started with budgeting and make adjustments as needed.

You can also use these apps to track progress towards some of your retirement goals. Watching the money you’ve earmarked for your dream retirement grow helps keep you motivated as well!

Financial Planning and WH Cornerstone

There is another important part of your financial planning that you can access online: your financial advisor. We’re always available for a video chat or to work through one of our financial and life planning tools with you, like our Curve Ball Life Planning and Second Act Retirement Programs, as well as our Money Management and Financial Planning tools.

We provide free workbooks, checklists, and resources on our website to help get you started.

Contact us to learn more, and we can even discuss technology tools that can add some exciting new dimensions to your retirement.

We are authentic, thoughtful, straight-shooters with a code of ethics that puts you first. Ask us anything. We are here to help.