Some seniors are afraid to even turn a computer on, but once the initial decision is made it is uphill all the way. Kids today are constantly upgrading to new models, which means that you don’t have to look any further than your own family to find a used computer. Just let them know that you are interested and they will have you up and learning in no time at all. Among the older crowd, the internet may turn out to be bigger than Bingo. Which is rather remarkable in a generation that still hasn’t mastered the VCR, but never mind that, you can hardly find a VCR any more anyway.
It is a complete myth that older people aren’t interested in, or can’t deal with computers. Computers and the Internet provide intellectual stimulation and can help combat the loneliness that affects many seniors. Staying in touch is a big draw.
E-mail is a big draw. It is exciting that people can send each other messages that are received and answered within a few minutes. Probably the best part is that messages can be as long or as short as you want. You don’t have to save up your news until you have enough to fill up a regular letter and justify the price of postage. One of the reasons older people get involved with computers is their grandchildren. E-mail is a delightful way to stay in touch with family, especially if they live hundreds of miles away.
People know about staying physically active, but computers provide a way to stay mentally active too. Computer links can take older people to places that their bodies will no longer let them go.
For anyone capable of reading a screen, doing a bit of one-finger typing, and moving that mysterious mouse, computing is only a fingertip away. As people get older their horizons narrow unless they reinvent themselves to some extend, and the computer is a step in that direction. The computer is an ideal route to a continuous journey of discovery (Irish Times: Dublin. January 2000). It is away to bring the far away much closer.
The Internet offers an array of opportunities for Seniors to engage in social activities online, which is appealing, particularly because they are oftentimes homebound. In fact, older Internet users have discovered social games as a fun way to stimulate the mind, find companionship, make new friends and stay in touch with family members. This article reveals how a 57-year-old man was able to cope with chemotherapy thanks to the emotional support he gained from online friends he met through a social game site. http://journalstar.com/lifestyles/family/article_acc6a2a9-ef49-52f0-adb4-63f7010cc3f5.html
Posted by: Kim Hong | April 04, 2011 at 10:31 AM