Computer Skills for Senior Citizens by Adam S
My aunt Blanche was an original Rosy-the-Riveter during World War II. I
always enjoyed spending time with her and listening to her stories of those times. My
aunt had an old Apple computer and often during my visits, she would ask me to show
her how to use the computer. I found myself really wanting to work with senior citizens
and so I asked myself, “What am I good at and what can I do to make their lives a little
better?” With some research I realized that there are many resources available to senior
citizens on the web, and even more importantly, computers could help them remain vital
and connected to a broader community. It appeared the obvious answer to my question
would be to teach computer skills, but I was somewhat skeptical that this would be a
popular pastime for seniors.
I know that many people from earlier generations are not as comfortable with
technology as is mine. My mother is still learning how to use a computer and my
grandparents did not even own a computer until we gave them one of our old laptops. For
my generation knowing how to use a computer is an essential part daily of life. We are a
techno-generation. However, I expected many seniors would have limited exposure to
computers and that learning how to use them could be very daunting. Nevertheless, I
decided to take on the challenge and visited several local assisted living communities to
solicit interest in a computer class. I finally decided to set up shop at a local assisted
living facility, which up until that point did not have any computer instruction for
residents.
Initially, only a few people attended my weekly Saturday class, however, they
were eager to learn. After a few weeks, when word of my class had spread, more and
more people joined. I began to realize my preconceptions about my students’ ability and
willingness to learn were wrong. The people in my class were eager to move into the
computer age and become internet literat