Even for the savviest adults, understanding new technology can be far from intuitive. Still, some of the benefits it provides those in senior living communities are worth enduring a learning curve. Here are just a few of the many products designed to help you maintain good health, keep in touch with faraway family, and enjoy your favorite activities.

Healthy Living

Keeping up with an exercise routine may become more difficult as you age, but that doesn't make maintaining good health any less important. Even if you don't find yourself in the gym on a regular basis, there are plenty of easy ways to keep your body healthy and active.

Self-monitoring, cordless activity trackers easily document your activity habits by wirelessly syncing to your computer and displaying real-time stats, like steps taken and stairs climbed. These small devices that attach to your belt or wrist also analyze sleep quality, which plays a large role in how well our bodies function. Fitbit and other trackers like it offer motivation that can be key to ensuring you'll be mobile and independent for a long time yet.

Connecting

Staying in touch with family and friends, regardless of where they live, is important to our emotional and mental health. Connecting with loved ones can be challenging, but video-chat tools like Skype are a wonderful way to maintain face-to-face contact.

An even more convenient way to utilize Skype, without downloading software or even using a computer, is via video-sharing devices that plug into your television, enabling you to turn your TV into a Skype platform. Products like TelyHD also come with a microphone and camera, so you've got all the materials you'll need to keep in contact with those you love.

Relaxing

Stress can lead to increased blood pressure, muscle tension and other health problems. Activities like reading or watching TV are helpful ways to de-stress, but hearing and vision changes as we age may make these activities difficult.

A variety of volume control products allow users to wear a discreet headset that controls volume for clear dialogue and sound while others around them set the television to their preferred level, allowing everyone in the room to listen in comfort.

For bookworms, e-readers increase the font size of your favorite books, giving you a chance to relax and avoid eye strain.

Though certain technologies can be frustrating to learn, there are resources available to help you get a grasp on your latest gadget. Some organizations devoted to enhancing senior life in assisted living communities, such as LinkedSenior, partner with providers like Prestige Care to introduce simple programming and technology into seniors' lives that promote emotional, mental, and intellectual wellness. Even if your community doesn't partner with an organization like LinkedSenior, your caregivers will likely be more than willing to help you understand techy tools in your life.

Mary Beth Hassel is executive director at Legends Park Assisted Living in Coeur d'Alene, which offers compassionate, award-wining assisted living care and health services. She can be reached at (208) 666-9900.