Computers and Seniors: Helping Your Loved Ones Connect

My grandfather is over 90 now. The man has lived a full life. He
raised four children, served in WWII, and built up a massive, lush
garden at his home in Canada. And today, he has grand-children and
great-grandchildren scattered all across the United States and Canada.
But there’s a problem. He has lost nearly all of his eyesight, and
much of his mobility. His garden is gone, and he often doesn’t know
what to do with himself. Does this sound familiar?

Last time I saw him and grandma, they had moved into an assisted
living community. It was sad to see them out of their house, but I was
glad to see that he had started using computers. Alot. He showed me a
website where he has connected with his old military buddies who had
also served on a nondescript North Pacific island during the war. The
men reminisced, swapping old pictures and stories that only they could
fully appreciate.

His computer use certainly doesn’t stop there. Grandpa constantly uses
email, and is always on the prowl for some useful bit of information
on the web, from new developments in technology to the latest
conspiracy theories abroad.

According to a recent study by the PEW Research center, my grandpa
isn’t alone. Internet use by seniors is dramatically on the rise.
Acquisition of high speed internet connections rose from 26% to 45%
among seniors ages 70-76. That’s a rise of nearly 80%, easily the
highest of any demographic.

This could be a significant trend. Seniors have been stereotyped as
being intimidated and inept at dealing with technology. And many still
are. Some will stick with their stack of magazines and their telephone
and never bother to take the leap. But, as the study shows, more and
more elders are finding reasons to sign on. Social Network sites like
Facebook are starting to hit the mark with seniors, too, and it only
makes sense. If a 30 year old can have a rush of nostalgia when he
receives a friend request from an old high school buddy, imagine the
possibilities for a someone more than twice his age!

The biggest draw into the digital age might be data speed increases.
With broadband, seniors are able to use Skype or iChat to talk face to
face with their grandchildren. That is reason enough for some seniors
to buy a computer in the first place! And beyond webcams, who has time
to get bored with 15 Mbps transfer rates?

Getting your loved one connected may take a bit of arm twisting, but
it can yield big benefits. One study showed depression showed a 20%
drop in senior depression among those who are active on the internet.
Before you dismiss that, just think about how much it can lift your
spirits to connect with your friends and family. For someone who can
hardly see and who can’t get out anymore, the effect is doubled.

If you’re trying to convince your loved one that they ought to get
online, don’t go for the “limitless possibilities” angle. That works
for you and I, but it won’t likely work for them. What does work is
the relationship angle. Our generation puts a higher value on
entertainment than relationship. Not so with our parents and
grandparents. Let them see the possibilities to reconnect with
friends, stay current with family, and make new friends who can relate
to their past experiences and current situations.

Then, make the process as simple as it can possibly get. Get as many
icons off the desktop as you can. Increase font and icon size, and
adjust the brightness and contrast (this is the only way my grandpa
can read anything). Hook up the camera and set up a Skype or iChat
account, and make sure their usernames and passwords are saved and
will be entered automatically. Then, help them find avenues for
networking. Get their Facebook account up and running. Show them how
to add pictures with a click, and how to search for old classmates.

Once the digital world becomes relevant to their stage of life, they
will be off and running. Now just be prepared for your new job as a
technical support specialist.