Let’s be honest, apart from mobility aids we tend to assume the elderly and technology don’t make for a good mix. We think they’re unwilling to embrace new things and come from a generation which struggles with programming the video.
We’d be wrong. Facebook an elderly-free zone? Definitely not – over-65s are the fastest growing age group there. Online dating a younger person’s game? Think again – over 50s are joining Match.com faster than any other age group.
Society is slowly waking up to the fact that the internet is a place which can benefit everyone and that the elderly are using it more than ever.
It’s no wonder, since this is the generation which has most to gain. Many parents bemoan the fact their kids spend too much time online and ought to be outside playing and being active. For the elderly, opportunities for going out can become more restricted, making the benefits to be had from surfing much greater. So it’s time for the young to start bemoaning the fact their elderly parents aren’t spending time online! Indeed, you should do everything you can to make that happen!
The Benefits of Senior Surfing
When you stop to think, suddenly it becomes clear just how vast the potential is for improving the quality of your elderly parents’ lives with the internet.
Isolation. This is the most obvious benefit. The internet is designed to connect people and if you’re increasingly housebound it can be a great way to interact with others and simply feel part of society again. The elderly can participate in online book groups, find old friends in social networks or join sites related to their past, such as war veterans groups. It also helps them keep close to relatives who may be far away. Grandchildren who live on another continent can now be seen on a Skype call whilst photos and videos can be shared in an instant.
Shopping. One of the things the elderly find most frustrating is not being able to shop so easily. Mobility can make trailing round shops a problem, struggling with bags is an effort and if they no longer drive even getting to the shops in the first place can be a trial. Shopping on the internet is advertised as convenient for younger people so just think how much more true that is for the elderly.
Stimulation. There is endless variety on the net and as limitations start to narrow your parents’ lives, the web can open them up again. Beyond news, entertainment sites and even games, there’s the potential for exploration. One elderly gentleman gained huge satisfaction finding online photos of the ships he sailed on during the war whilst others have enjoyed using Google maps to revisit childhood haunts. All of this stimulation brings positive benefits for mental health.
Empowerment. One of the most depressing aspects of growing old is the sense of losing power. The internet can help restore this, not only through the feeling of having more access to the world but also through the possibilities for communication. On discussion boards the elderly can have a voice that’s heard and they are also able to contact MPs and people in authority with much greater ease.
Improving Offline Life. The resources available online can provide endless material to improve life away from the computer. The elderly enjoy hunting for new recipes to try out, finding how-to videos to learn new hobbies and even finding exercises suitable for their limitations or tips for dealing with medical conditions.
Benefits of the Computer. Being online obviously means having a computer and this also offers great potential for the elderly. Voice recognition software can deal with typing problems, pictures can be printed to show friends and they can download audio books to play back at their leisure. There is also a vast range of software offering games and entertainment, including puzzles specifically designed to keep the mind sharp.
And so the list goes on. The internet has transformed life over the past decade. More than just helping your parents benefit from that, you will also be helping them feel less cut off from a society that can start to look as though it has left them behind.
How to get the Elderly Online
Okay, we’re sold on the benefits but we have to be realistic. Whilst it’s wrong to underestimate the potential of the elderly to embrace new technology, for many it’s still a challenge, so how do we set about this?
Equipment
The starting point is ensuring they have the most appropriate computer. Laptops are convenient but the keyboards can be fiddly and screens are generally not that big. A good-sized screen is probably a sensible idea and if it has touch-screen technology that will make operating it even easier. It’s also worth considering an ergonomic keyboard with wrist supports and an ergonomic mouse with wrist support pad.
As far as possible you should go for wireless technology, which eliminates tangles of wires. Take care, of course, to ensure any essential wiring doesn’t run the risk of becoming a tripping hazard!
It’s actually possible to buy a specially simplified computer designed for the elderly. This is called SimplicITy and it strips down the functions of the computer to core areas such as the internet and email. This takes out a lot of the confusion presented by all the different icons and options presented on a typical computer screen.
Learning
Once you have the computer it is going to take time to get your elderly parent up to speed. This can of course be done by you or friends and family. It’s a case of putting yourself in your parents’ position and imagining you don’t know the first thing about computers – even what a mouse does! Take things in small stages and if your parent is able to write easily then it might be a good idea for them to write down the basics of your explanations. This not only gives them a reference point in their own words, the physical act of writing also aids the learning process.
This can also be a great way for your own children to interact with Gran and Grandad. They can find it a lot of fun teaching their grandparents how to get into a world which they naturally understand, though make sure you guide them about doing this in a patient and appropriate way!
Alternatively there are now a large number of computer courses available in the community specially designed for older people. Age UK works with the Digital Inclusion network to provide training courses for the elderly across the country. You can visit their site to find one near you: Age UK Computer Training Courses for the Elderly. You can also see what’s available from the Digital Champions Network, a group of people and organisations dedicated to getting more people online. There are many other providers besides these, you simply need to search in your area.
If your elderly parent is in a retirement complex or home you should speak with the management about opportunities there. Maybe funds could be used to provide communal computers and there should certainly be the opportunity to have someone visit the complex to provide an introduction to senior surfing.
Once they’re up and running with how to operate things it’s worth taking some time to explore the potential with them. Show them some sites they would enjoy and search together so they develop an awareness of the possibilities.
There are a great many sites designed with the elderly in mind and a little research, keeping your parents’ interests in mind, can provide a helpful package for them to start with. Stick these sites in their favourites list and your parents will have fantastic resources to begin their journey. A popular place which brings together many links to useful sites for the elderly is Silversurfers.net – that can be another excellent starting point.
It can take time for something so new to become familiar to your elderly parents, but the internet has transformed the lives of many older people, combating depression and isolation. It’s a fantastic resource and most definitely worth the effort.
Nobilis In-Home Care
At Nobilis we understand the needs of both the elderly and their families. That’s why we’re so keen to promote any means of improving the quality of life for older people.
If there are any questions or concerns you have about an elderly parent and how to make life better for them you are very welcome to give us a call. We’re happy to explain our in-home care services but we promise not to treat your call as a sales pitch. We’re simply here to listen and share our experience in any way that could help. No obligation, no pressure – just useful advice.
Telephone – 0845 8620647