Can Technology Improve My Health and Wellness?
- Sep 11
- 3 min read
Smartphones, watches, and the endless array of smart gadgets promise to make our lives easier, smarter, and more connected, but what about our health and well-being? Is it possible that technology can offer solutions, or is it just more issues to contend with? COGNEWS’ editor Lori took a closer look at this very question. Here’s what she discovered.
Technology plays an important role in so many parts of our lives. Whether it's accessing our money or picking a paint colour, there’s an app, a website, an automated phone system—even our TV is smart! Apparently. It’s kinda hard to avoid tech impacting what we do nowadays. Whether you’re a technophobe or technofabulous, there is always something new, and for regular users, there is often something requiring a little maintenance or replacement - lurking in a dark corner somewhere.
Technology can dominate our lives, confuse or frustrate, how can we harness technology to improve, not just our lives in general but our physical and mental health?
There is good news, and many ways we can connect, benefit even - far too many to cover in one article. There are some truly terrible uses of technology too. Over the coming months, we’ll unpack the jargon along with the products and let you know what might be worth investing in and what needs deleting. We’ll focus on how to live longer, safer, and better at home, looking for the value in each stage and keeping a firm hand on whether it makes us better or worse.
An easy one to adopt is using alerts. This is when a phone or other gadget reminds you of when to do something or tells you or other people when something is wrong. A virtual assistant like Alexa can remind you to take your pills at the right time of day, and a smartwatch or fall alarm can sense when you fall and alert the emergency services or a carer.
These little wins can help to enhance health management, providing improved routine for everyday tasks or adding confidence when recovering from an illness. When we are unwell, things are often added to our routine at a time when we are least able to manage, and an Alexa or other virtual assistant can be programmed to provide reminders. You can simply say, “Alexa, remind me to take my medication at 8 PM,” and she will then ensure you receive a timely reminder.
Appointments can be logged into your calendar, health information can be sought online, and relatives can be allowed to drop in with a friendly voice call. All from the comfort of your armchair and created from you speaking the action into being. It’s set up once, and actions are repeated automatically until you no longer need them.
Linking the assistant to apps can allow you to enjoy your music, listen to a story, or set a more complex routine of your choice. Responses are reliable, consistent, and timely, allowing you to feel and be more in control. Virtual assistants can help us be less anxious too, making it easier to stay connected and helping us to monitor each other's well-being without being intrusive.
Technology is like the ocean: vast. No one person knows it, and it can be dangerous. Take precautions, and you can paddle, swim, or sail around the world!
As technology continues to evolve, embracing these innovations has the potential to improve health outcomes and a better quality of life for everyone. By utilising these resources effectively, we can take steps toward maintaining our health and the health of our loved ones.
If you'd like to get started in better managing your health by using technology, our sponsor n-able has many ways to help you, including an ability-focused smart home at their base in Buxton. It's a 20-minute drive from Cheadle, across the beautiful Staffordshire countryside. A a visit to their home can help you improve yours.
Do make an appointment first; they have a very experienced and caring team available to help with this and most other aspects of your health and wellbeing journey.
You can contact them by calling 01603 894120 or, if you prefer online - email contact@n-able.org.uk or visit https://n-able.org.uk/
Can Technology Improve My Health and Wellness? - created 10.9.25
