ChatGPT For Seniors: Why It’s Worth Trying + How to Use It

If you’re an older adult and curious about ChatGPT, you’re in the right place.

While an AI tool like ChatGPT can seem intimidating, you’d be surprised how easy and enjoyable it is to use.

To learn just how impactful AI can be for seniors, we spoke with Dr. Margaret Sass, EdD, a Boise State University professor with a passion for helping seniors feel confident using AI.

In her live workshops, she’s seen seniors go from hesitant to to amazed at AI’s ability to add fun, learning and connection to their lives.

We’ve taken Margaret’s insights and turned them into an actionable guide for how to get the most out of ChatGPT as a senior.

You’ll learn why this popular AI tool is worth trying, how to get set up, and several creative ways to use it.

All you need is an open mind and an internet connection!

Why ChatGPT Is Worth Trying for Seniors

Dr. Margaret Sass runs regular live workshops for seniors about how to use AI tools. And while her participants are always curious about ChatGPT, some are hesitant to try it at first.

But once she gets them up and chatting, they relax, and the fun begins.

If you’re still on the fence about learning how to use ChatGPT, let’s go over a few reasons it’s worth the effort.

Simple & Accessible

ChatGPT has a simple, clean interface, and is surprisingly easy to use.

“ChatGPT is simple,” says Dr. Sass, “There’s nothing to install, and it’s free. You can just go in and ask a question — you don’t have to log in or set anything up.”

ChatGPT also has a voice feature, so if you have vision loss (or simply struggle with typing), you can speak to it directly and it will speak back.

Reduces Internet Clutter

Have you ever felt buried under a pile of Google search results when you just need one simple thing? Dr. Sass has noticed this in her AI workshops. She notes:

“Seniors get frustrated having to click through a dozen websites to find one answer. ChatGPT just gives you what you need right away.”

Safe to Use

One of the biggest concerns Dr. Sass hears from her participants is safety. Seniors worry their identity or bank account information will get stolen. But in reality, ChatGPT is very safe to use.

Dr. Sass encourages seniors to start with the free version, which doesn’t require any of the user’s information. Not even an email address.

Knowing the risks are low helps ease worries.

“When I show them what ChatGPT looks like and what it can do, they’re amazed,” says Dr. Sass, “You can see the shift from fear to curiosity.”

Builds Confidence

If you want to embrace technology but feel a little intimidated, the simplicity and ease of ChatGPT make it a great place to start building confidence. Dr. Sass encourages seniors to play with it without worrying about “messing up”. “There’s no wrong way to use it — you just ask a question and see what happens.”

Endless Ways to Use It

The opportunities for learning, connection and creativity through using ChatGPT are truly endless. Dr. Sass has seen this firsthand:

“I’ve seen seniors use ChatGPT for everything — planning trips, writing letters, even learning about history or cooking. They start with one question, then go deeper and deeper. Once they see it work, they just take off on their own.”

How Start Chatting With ChatGPT in Seconds (For Free)

Before we get into those “endless ways” to use ChatGPT, let’s get you set up to start using it while you read this article.

Since we’ll be giving you example “prompts” (ways to talk to ChatGPT) in the next section, you may want to try them to get a feel for how the tool works.

Here’s the easiest way to start using ChatGPT for the very first time:

Step 1: Open a new browser window (separate from the one where you’re reading this article)

Step 2: Visit this website: chat.openai.com (clickable link)

You'll see a screen like this:

Step 3: Start typing in the section that says “ask anything”.

Just try “hello” for starters.

Or you can wait for the example prompts in the next section.

Once you’re up and running, keep reading!

5 Fun, Beginner-Friendly Ways Seniors Can Use ChatGPT (+ Prompt Examples)

When Dr. Sass started her AI workshops for seniors, she wasn’t sure what to expect. But once she got her participants set up and chatting with AI, the results were truly mind-blowing.

Below are a few interesting ways she’s seen older adults use ChatGPT, plus a few prompt examples.

You can copy and paste the example prompts into your ChatGPT, or you use them as inspiration to write your own personalized prompts.

1. Companionship & Conversation

Dr. Sass has been volunteering with seniors since she was 17. During her years of service, one aspect of older adulthood has stood out: loneliness.

“One of the reasons I want to share AI with seniors is because I know how lonely they can be,” she says.

ChatGPT has a deep understanding of human language and context, making it an ideal conversation partner for seniors.

Dr. Sass notes that AI should never replace human interaction, but it can fill gaps when visits from friends and family are few and far between.

If you’re ready to start a friendly chat with AI, here are a few prompt ideas:

• “Hi ChatGPT, I’d love to have a friendly chat today. How’s your day going?”
• “Can we talk about something cheerful? Tell me a fun story or an interesting fact.”
• “Ask me a few questions about my grandkids so I can tell you about them.”

2. Continued Learning and Exploration

Whatever topic you’re interested in, ChatGPT knows a lot about it.

ChatGPT is trained in a vast amount of information, making it the perfect tool to indulge your curiosity, deepen learning or simply understand confusing concepts.

Participants in Dr. Sass’ workshop did deep dives into topics like “plastic surgery in Turkey” or traditional food dishes in Spain.

Another participant simply asked ChatGPT to explain her HOA rules to her in “plain English”.

And should you want to get out and travel? ChatGPT can be the perfect guide. Dr. Sass told us her most memorable example of someone using ChatGPT this way:“One gentleman told me he used ChatGPT to plan an entire weekend trip to Utah,” She says. “It handled everything—the hiking, the hotel, the itinerary—and it all worked out perfectly. He didn’t have to worry about a thing.”

If you’d like to try it for yourself, here are a few prompts to get you started:

For learning and exploration:

• “Explain the history of flamenco dancing in Spain in simple terms.”
• “I’ve always been curious about how AI works. Can you explain it to me like I’m new to technology?”

For travel and cultural discovery:

• “Plan a two-day trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico, with easy hikes and local food.”
• “What are some traditional dishes from Italy I could try cooking at home?”
• “I’d like to visit Portugal someday. What are the safest cities for older travelers?”

3. Daily Help and Problem-Solving

We all need a little help sometimes. Writing an email, troubleshooting a cell phone issue, or even having a difficult conversation with a friend.

ChatGPT is an excellent tool for problem-solving.

Dr. Sass often sees her dad use the tool for this purpose:

“My dad uses ChatGPT nonstop on his Tesla. He asks it questions right there in the car,” she says.

“He’ll also ask ChatGPT how to fix something on his phone because it’s faster than getting one of us on the phone.”

If you’d like to see how ChatGPT can lend a hand with everyday tasks, try a few prompts like these:

For simple troubleshooting:

• “My phone keeps saying it’s out of storage. Can you walk me through how to fix it?”
• “How do I connect my printer to Wi-Fi?”
• “Explain how to adjust the brightness on my tablet step by step.”

For daily organization:

• “Help me plan my week with time for errands, exercise, and rest.”
• “Make a grocery list for healthy meals for one person.”
• “Remind me what questions to ask before I schedule a doctor’s appointment.”

For practical questions:

• “Write a short message to my neighbor thanking her for bringing over soup.”
• “What’s an easy recipe I can make with chicken and rice?”
• “How can I describe a small home repair project so I can ask my handyman for help?”

4. Writing, Creativity, and Memory Keeping

Have you ever wanted to write a book or memoir? ChatGPT can write it for you.

Do you have trouble keeping track of grandkids birthdays, or just want to start a list of happy memories? ChatGPT can help with that, too.

“There’s a lot of reflection writing you can put into ChatGPT to keep a history of yourself,” Dr. Sass explains. “You can create a journal of your life that you can share with your kids.”

If you’d like to try it, here are a few prompts to spark your creativity and help you preserve memories:

For storytelling and reflection:

• “Help me start writing my life story. Ask me questions about my childhood.”
• “Write a short story about how my spouse and I met.”
• “Turn this memory into a short paragraph I can share with my family: [paste your memory here].”

For journaling and memory keeping:

• “I want to start a gratitude journal. Can you ask me three questions to get started?”
• “Help me make a list of my happiest memories with my grandkids.”
• “Create a list of family birthdays and anniversaries so I can keep track of them.”

For creative fun:

• “Write a lighthearted poem about getting older and wiser.”
• “Help me write a song for my daughter’s birthday.”
• “Make up a bedtime story featuring my grandkids as the heroes.”

5. Health and Safety Support

Health information can be confusing, and doctors aren’t always the best at explaining it.

ChatGPT can take complicated medical jargon and translate it into simple language. That’s exactly how Dr. Sass’ dad used it:

“My dad used ChatGPT to understand my mom’s cancer diagnosis,” Dr. Sass says. “He uploaded the doctor’s note and asked it to explain things in layman’s terms, so he could really understand.”

Want to give it a try? Here are a few prompts to test out.

For understanding health information:

• “Explain this medical term in plain English: [paste term or phrase here].”
• “I just got a test result that says [copy text]. What does that mean in simple terms?”
• “List a few questions I should ask my doctor about [condition or medication].”

For general wellness and daily support:

• “What are some gentle stretches I can do for stiff joints?”
• “Give me ideas for healthy dinners that are easy to digest.”
• “Remind me how to organize my medications safely.”

Your Turn: Give ChatGPT a Try

Now that you know what ChatGPT is all about, it’s time to give it a try.

If you haven’t already, visit chat.openai.com and type your first prompt. Even if it’s just: “Hey, I’m new to this, what can you help me with?”

Let curiosity be your guide, and have some fun.

Remember what Dr. Sass says:

“There’s no wrong way to use it — you just ask a question and see what happens.”

And if you’re interested in reading more about AI for seniors check out Dr. Margaret Sass’ free book, Simple AI Tools for Seniors: Your Friendly Guide to Technology.

Or check out a few of her articles on Herewith’s blog:

• Bringing the world back into focus: Two new AI tools for seniors
• Explore the World from Home: Virtual Tours for Seniors
• Walk with peace of mind: Tips & technology to help seniors travel safely

In-home Support for Tech-Savvy Seniors On Herewith

Technology has opened up new doors to older adults who find themselves in need of support, whether it’s a ride to appointments, help with grocery shopping, or a bit of help around the house.

At Herewith connect you to trusted in-home Helpers in your community who can help make your day-to-day life a bit easier, supporting your independence and dignity—all with the tap of a few buttons.

Helpers can assist with:

• Light housekeeping & meal prep
• Transportation to appointments
• Mobility support
• Post-hospital recovery care
• Home dialysis support
• Respite, overnight or 24/7 in-home care

On Herewith you’re always in control over who you hire, your schedule, your budget, and what kind of services you want, all on our simple online platform and mobile app.

If you’re curious about in-home senior care services, visit Herewith today.

About the Expert

Dr. Margaret Sass, EdD, is a professor at Boise State University with degrees in law, communications, and education. She leads AI workshops that help seniors gain confidence and curiosity using technology.