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If the math be correct, most of us were only in our 20's and 30's when computer technology started permeating at lives at home, so we may not be as technologically challenged as once thought. It really wasn't until the mid- 90's that the internet started to redefine how we live, manage, entertain, and research at home. There is much to do now via the internet, and if you have avoided it until now, what better opportunity is there for you to dive in and get hip? The bonus is, you will be able to communicate with your family much more regularly, and there is a world of fun and hobbies to be enjoyed online.
Whether you use a Windows PC or a Mac, it does not matter. All computers allow many customizations that render age-related difficulties (vision, hearing, dexterity) null and void. Advancing age does not mean you can’t advance with technology. Is the image on the screen too small? Large high definition monitors are now becoming more affordable, and you can always change display settings to increase icon and text sizes to your comfort level. There’s speech recognition for basic commands, and adjustable audio prompts and notifications. You can even customize the cursor or mouse pointer’s size, speed, and color to make them easier to see. So really, there’s no reason for seniors not to get into personal computing, and reap the benefits and enjoyment it has to offer.
Here are some personal computing activities that seniors can enjoy as well as benefit from: Blogging
Blogging is essentially writing - and everyone can write. Seniors especially, have a ton of experience to pull stuff from, such as advice, techniques for work or a specific trade, stories about a certain time a few decades back. Seniors are essentially a treasure trove of first-hand information and experience. Blogging gives them a voice, and a chance to make a difference, someone who matters in the world. It doesn’t hurt that you can earn from a blog too, if your web traffic is large enough. Voice, Video, and Text Chat
How hard can it be? You click one icon on the desktop, locate your friends or family online, and start talking, typing and seeing each other, even if you’re a thousand miles away! Chatting is easier than ever, especially with the now gigabit bandwidth available to us. Voice and video calls using the popular Instant Messengers such as Yahoo Messenger, MSN Messenger, Google Talk, AOL, iChat, Jabber, Skype, etc. are now able to display near perfect video, and are just so easy to use. Plus to make it a lot easier, there are phone-like peripherals that mimic old-school phone units complete with dials that allow you to speed-call your friends and family. It’s a nice way to stay connected without long distance fees. The biggest benefit of getting familiar with messenger or yahoo is that you will be much more likely to keep in touch with your grand children that too, as that is a VERY popular hang out for young people. They just might think you are more cool than they thought as well. Facebook
This isn't just a "thing to do", it's a phenomenon on the web that captures your interest by easily connecting you with people from your past, present - and future. Think of Facebook as a social butterfly on steroids. This is the fastest growing and already one of the biggest websites on the planet because its spans all age groups and users. It allows you to customize a sort of, welcome page for yourself. Then all you have to do is join groups, add gadgets to your page and of course search for friends, relatives while letting them find you as well. It all starts by adding just one acquaintence who already has friends, then you can literally discover people you have forgot about for years. Digital Scrapbooking
Digital scrapbooking is quite simply scrapbooking using your PC instead of glue and scissors. This may be a bit complicated at first, but with enough practice, even the elderly can master it. Icon based interfaces and auto formatting is all the rage, all without sacrificing individual creativity. Going the digital route also means saving on supplies. Sharing is also a lot easier, as you can immediately share creations with family and friends. Not only will digital scrapbooking engage a senior’s creativity, it gives them an outlet to share their life and experiences with friends and family members and be closer to them in the process. Computing for seniors does not require knowing everything, but knowing enough to make personal computing a worthwhile endeavor. Besides, ripping and storing MP3s, and downloading torrents might not be the thing for grandpa and grandma. Surfing the web, sending and receiving email, playing games, and the activities above should be enough for seniors to keep in stride with the younger generation, as well as keep them connected, engaged, occupied, and happy. |
