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Mike
Klubok the Owner of Computer Concierge NY LLC has trained seniors as old as 95 to better
use their computer.
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The
other day I spoke with a high level person in a non-profit organization that
has a large senior membership about doing a technology related presentation to members of his organization. The
person responded that as many of his members are in their 80s they would not
find it useful. After mentioning a few items like how computers can help with
health care for seniors, the social aspect, and being an enabler of life
learning he suddenly became interested.
Keep
in mind that when I talk about computers I am including smartphones and tablets like the iPad , Kindle Fire and others as they are computers.
I
have worked with people as old as 95; Helping them to use their computer to
keep in touch with friends and family, discover old friends, track their
investments, and better use the features of Google search. These are some of the benefits of seniors using computers. Those I have worked with were very
motivated to improve their computer skills and with good reason.
Connected
seniors are more likely to be happier and healthier than their counterparts who
do not use the internet. Evidence has shown that those seniors who are connected
are less likely to suffer from depression. In an era where more of us live
further from family and friends than ever before the internet has helped to
stay connected. I helped a woman in her
80s set up a Facebook account a while back to keep in touch with her
grandchildren and see pictures of them and their travels in life. She also
wanted to connect with friends she lost touch with from her childhood in
Germany. I don’t know how much luck she had connecting with her lost friends
but I know she was thrilled to see pictures of her grandson’s travels in Spain
on Facebook that she likely would not have seen otherwise. I worked with
another woman who received what she thought was a picture of her
great-grandchild living in England who she had never seen and was unable to
open it. When I arrived to address the problem she had opening up the file I
realized it was not a picture but rather a video. Her tears of joy in seeing
the video of her great-grandchild crawling was something special. When I left she gave me a big hug and thanked
me for helping her to see the video. Skype is also a great connector of friends
and family that live miles and miles away.
Many years ago the phone company said that long distance was the next
best thing to being there. Maybe then it was but now it has to be Skype.
The
internet gives seniors better access to health care. Communicating by email is a method used by
more and more doctors. If you want to monitor what you are eating there are
sites such as FitDay that allow you to do so. You also can do research. Want to know more about a drug you are
taking? Go to PDR.net. Sites like WebMD
and MayoClinic.com are just two sites that have an abundance of medical
information. Both of them also have a symptom checker where you can find
possible causes of your symptoms.
Studies
have shown that truly lifelong learners have a better quality of life. The internet provides the ability to quickly
get information about world events, politics, sports, etc. Wikipedia is one factor in why very few people these days have
books of encyclopedias at home anymore.
The
last item I will mention is that the internet fosters independence for
seniors. Seniors are now less likely to
need someone to take them shopping. I have shown seniors how to shop using Amazon. Their orders get delivered to their door. Groceries can be ordered from sites such as FreshDirect.
So
if you think you are too old to use a computer think again. Ask some of the seniors I have worked with
how using a computer has added to their lives and don’t be surprised if you see
a 90something person in the park Skyping with their friend or
grandchild.
Whether
you are a senior or advancing towards one day being chronologically gifted I am
available to help you better use your technology. I can be contacted at (917) 572-3468 or email
me at mike@computerconciergeny.com .
Feel free to join the conversation and post comments and
questions on my Facebook page at Computer Concierge NY LLC . There also are tips there to better use your
computer, smartphone, iPad and other technology you may have or are thinking of buying.
Computer Concierge NY LLC provides expert computer
and technology services in the Queens, NY area. This includes Albertson, Bayside, Bayside Hills, Bay Terrace, Bellerose, College Point, Douglaston, Floral Park, Flushing, Forest Hills, Great Neck, Jamaica Estates, Kew Gardens, Kings Point, Lake
Success, Manhasset, Mineola, Munsey Park, New Hyde Park, North
Hills, North Shore Towers, Oakland
Gardens, Plandome, Rego Park, Roslyn, The Bay Club, Thomaston, University Gardens, Williston Park, Whitestone
and Other Areas in the Bayside NY vicinity. Our web services are provided
worldwide.
