One of the saddest things that can happen when you get older is having your world shrink. But it doesn’t have to be that way for your parents or grandparents. After all, the Internet offers more opportunity for connection than a speed-dating convention. Use these ideas for getting techno-phobe folks set up and back in touch.
Determine what they need. Grandma probably doesn’t require a high-end gaming system in order to play World of Warcraft (although Grandpa may). Most likely, their goals are basic: e-mailing, photo sharing, mining info about health and hobbies, and shopping. Part of this step is also considering any physical limitations. Someone who’s visually impaired might need a bigger screen; someone with arthritis might benefit from voice-recognition software such as Dragon.
Consider delegating the job. Teaching seniors to compute has been compared to teaching teens to drive. So if you’d rather not risk your rapport, turn to the experts. Check local libraries or community colleges for classes, or consult SeniorNet.org for a list of low-cost, senior-friendly seminars in your area. Or, with summer break approaching, hire a patient, tech-savvy college student to be their tutor.
Eyeball the iPad. This is Apple’s newest device, and its greatest audience could be seniors. It’s a 1½-pound, book-size electronic tablet that handles e-mail, Internet browsing, photos, calendars, word processing…you can even read books and watch The Price Is Right on it. What makes the iPad ideal for Nana, though, is that there’s no mouse or keyboard to deal with—just touch the screen with a finger. It’s intuitive. Prices range from $499 to $829 (comparable to most computers), plus a monthly data fee.
Teach one thing at a time. Regardless of whether you settle on a desktop, notebook, or iPad, if you’re the one explaining its operation, take baby steps. A friend of ours taught her 79-year-old grandmother to play solitaire first. The simple delight of that made her open to learning more. Next came e-mail and then a Google search for Tom Selleck (no kidding!). She said he no longer looked as hunky as he did before.
Be on call. Rest assured, there will be questions, problems, lost data, and maybe even a few crashes. To make the fix faster and easier, consider installing LogMeIn. This program allows you to access their computer remotely and troubleshoot, which is especially handy if you live far away. You can download a free trial at https://secure.logmein.com/US/home.aspx.
Have the talk. Once they begin e-mailing and surfing, explain about spam, the dangers of giving out personal information, and why something entirely unexpected may appear when the good woman innocently searches “golden girls.”
Kim
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