Recently, a colleague lamented that his father, 85 years old and living in San Francisco, wasn't computer akamai.
"It would be so easy to e-mail him photos of his nephews in Honolulu or an article that he might find of interest," he said.
Right on cue, a few days later, I got an e-mail from Lionel Oki, one of my dad's friends, who requested that I write an article on how seniors might get online and "enjoy the Internet experience." At this point I knew Lionel was on to something.
How many of us have relatives or know of elderly family friends who we wished could benefit from computer technology but are simply too afraid, too busy or think they can't learn this newfangled stuff?
Learning how to use a computer can seem incredibly daunting to seniors. A poll from the Pew Internet & American Life Project reveals that the vast majority of the ambulatory, active seniors - those who do not necessarily even need special software or hardware - have no intention of going online.
According to the latest data, there are around 22 million Americans over 65 who never have and will never use the Internet. The Pew survey states that 84 percent of those over 65 currently do not use the Internet. Of those, 79 percent say they don't intend to try.
Why do they seem so reluctant to go online?
My belief is that many seniors simply don't recognize that learning to surf the Net justifies the hassle. However, there are other reasons. Here are some I've heard:
- It's too complicated.
- I was afraid I might break the computer.
- I'm too old to learn this stuff.
- I'm too busy.
The reality, of course, is that as technology evolves, many tasks that used to be done in analog fashion are now online. Many of these activities are made to order for seniors:
- Banking and paying bills online.
- Buying and checking stocks and other investment vehicles.
- Reading online newspapers.
- Purchasing airline tickets and booking hotels and rental cars.
- Buying tickets to plays, musical and sporting events, even movies.
- Receiving newsletters on all topics of interest.
- Writing to relatives and staying in touch with those far away.
- Buying groceries.
- Doing research on disease and medical conditions.
As boomers get older, they will replace Internet-challenged seniors, but for now the digital divide marginalizes our elders somewhat. Fortunately, there are organizations that are helping to bridge the gap.
For starters, I recommend checking into
Generations on Line, a nonprofit corporation that targets the large population of older Americans who cannot afford or choose not to enroll in computer or Internet training.
They provide a service for access and products for learning, including self-training software specifically for senior centers, libraries, retirement homes and similar. These are free to elders. (The cost to the centers is $350 with a small annual maintenance fee.)
SeniorNet, also a nonprofit organization, provides older adults education for and access to computer technologies and enables them to share their knowledge and wisdom.
Founded in 1986, it supports more than 240 learning centers throughout the United States, including UH-Hilo and Honolulu Community College. It publishes a quarterly newsletter and a variety of instructional materials. It also offer discounts on computer-related products.
SeniorNet members learn and teach others to use computers and communications technologies to accomplish tasks such as photo editing and organization, desktop publishing and other activities.
If you're interested in the demographics of seniors, check out the
Pew study of Older Americans and the Internet. It makes fascinating reading.
