The use of advanced technology becomes more common in everyday life. These gadgets and technologies may leave older people feeling completely lost. Using a service like VoIP may seem very simple to those who grew up with technology that seemed to change on a daily basis. However, using VoIP to make telephone calls may seem too complicated to someone who is not accustomed to using gadgets.

• When teaching an older person how to use VoIP it is important to understand that those people who are middle aged or older simply did not grow up with a lot of technology. They may find understanding how it works more difficult. For older people, the most advanced technology that was available when they were growing up may have been the telephone, radio, and television.

• The first thing you will want to do is explain to them how VoIP telephone systems work. Many older people tend to resist trying new technology if they do not understand how it works. Explain to them that they can make phone calls with a VoIP service because it will change the voice signal to a digital signal that the computer will understand. It then sends it through the Internet and converts it back to a voice signal when it reaches the phone of the person they are calling.

• They will certainly be happier using VoIP after they understand how it works. Describe how their VoIP service will work at this time. Make a decision whether they will use a new special phone handset, or whether they'll need an adapter for their existing phone. Also remember to explain how to go about paying the bill for the service.

• In small steps, show them how to connect the phone and how to download any software that is needed. You will then want to demonstrate how to make phone calls with the phone, as well as with the computer. By explaining what you are doing at every step, they will understand better.

• A very important aspect of teaching an older person how to use VoIP, especially for the elderly, is ensuring they know how to access emergency service numbers when needed. With most VoIP services it will be the same as with a regular phone, but not with all of them.

In many cases, showing an older person how to use VoIP is very straighforward. This is thanks to the fact that their regular phone service made and recieved calls in a very similar way. The most difficult aspect of teaching an older person how to use VoIP is teaching them how to hook up to a computer or adapter, and getting them to understand how the technology works.

There are numerous reasons why you may want to teach an older person how to use VoIP. One of the primary reasons would be so that they can stay in touch with friends and family. Whilst also saving a great deal of money.