Senior Adults Discover the Joys of Computer Literacy

It seems every day lately, seniors using computers are making their presence known. CNN.com published an editorial in mid-November about the rising number of senior citizen bloggers. These seniors, ranging from early 70 to 93 years old are writing regularly on a wide range of topics, from politics, to local events, to gardening and nature. Keeping a blog (short for web log – an online diary) has kept their minds active, enabled them to befriend people from around the globe, and given them a renewed interest in life.

At an anniversary party recently, I noticed an older gentleman sitting at a table typing on a tiny laptop. I went over to check it out and tried to start up a conversation. The man didn’t answer, but continued to type, so I looked at the screen. He was explaining that he had throat surgery two years before and was no longer able to talk. Then he went on to type about how much he was enjoying the party. At that point, someone else came over and tried to speak to him. Rather than type his explanation all over again, the man had saved all of his past comments and showed them on the screen whenever specific questions were asked.

Then there was the lady from Huntsville, Alabama who felt so motivated by becoming computer literate that she decided to return to work as a full time, 40 hour a week, volunteer. She admitted to being tired, but looked forward to what she could accomplish using a computer. Did I mention that this lady is 78 years old?

Our own seniors computer club in Toronto is getting more enjoyable every week. Since we get together regularly, the members seem very comfortable with one another and everyone talks about our computer triumphs and problems. We laugh and learn together and there are sometimes a dozen seniors eagerly waiting when I arrive at the community center. The majority are females, but we have some brave men ready to learn. The members willingly try new things (not always successfully), send me update emails, and some adults that had never touched a computer before now have a machine of their own.

I see the positive effects that computer skills have on the lives of senior adults every day. My 81-year-old mother wanders around our house looking for a sunny spot to settle down with her laptop. Then she works on creating her newest ebook, or signs up as an affiliate for a product she wants to promote on her elstatbiz.ca website. The digital camera is always close by to take pictures of anything mom thinks might sell on ebay. Nightly chats with a grandaughter in Florida or one in Tennessee round out her day and if she can fit it in, we spend some time together.

I wonder if a study should be done to see if computer-using seniors live longer? They seem to need extra years to finish all of the things they want to do!