In this era of electronic communication seniors are being left behind, losing opportunities, missing vital information and often finding life more difficult.  One of the biggest areas where seniors are affected by the internet is in the finding of information.

We all know how frustrating it is to try to do anything on the phone when it comes to government or dealing with large companies.  It is almost always a good idea to go to eat, make yourself comfortable, and go to the bathroom before initiating a call because you know it could take hours to work through the terrors of actually getting to a live person so that you can ask a question.  Reality is that those who are not internet savvy - at least to a small degree - are going to find it harder and harder to keep on top of communication.  Lets look at a few examples

- medical insurance company no longer mails out forms for claiming reimbursement for expenses.  You need to download them from the internet.

- reservations on airlines or trains, at hotels, at campgrounds is all being done on the internet

- product information, how to information, warranty information

- government forms

- maps - do you know that some provinces, like Quebec, now charge tourists for a map to use visiting their province.  But you can get detailed maps by printing them out from the internet.  Or with some provinces or states you can order them.

The list is endless, just rest assured that smart seniors get computer savvy, even if its just via a weekly visit to the local library to email the kids.

So, last fall I decided to buy the old fella a computer.  As prior readers know we travel a fair bit in our RV.  My laptop is my lifeline to friends, family and work.  It is also my entertainment as I journal, enjoy my photos, and even do the text for scape book pages.  By using Ichat on my Mac (similar to Skpe) we have face to face conversations with our son from campgrounds, hotels, almost anywhere we happen to be.  We also do our banking, and pay our bills when away from home.

At first he was tentative, scared he would break his laptop and convinced that he wouldn’t use the darn thing at all.  Since part of my motivation in buying the laptop was to help him fill the long hours of winter I just kept encouraging him, setting him up with email and introducing the occasional web site.  Our son, simplified the screen, and set it up so that he could enlarge the print to a readable size.  Any good computer store or trainer can do that for you.  His laptop time started with receiving jokes and fun stuff from friends and family.

Now five months after he got his laptop it has become an important element of his life.  He has searched out information, found dealers, he keeps in touch with friends.  Recently he did his first online order, for parts for our RV, and is getting to be a whiz at filling in forms online.  The laptop is proving to be a good investment; and alternative to television.  I think it falls into the category of stimulating the brain, and building confidence, while having fun.

I encourage everyone to get familiar with computers.  You can pick up a laptop (easy to use where you are most comfortable and take along when you go away from home).  They can be had for just a few hundred dollars.  Or take a course at a community centre, school or from an instructor who will come into your home.  Better yet check with the kids or grandkids.  Most of them have this high tech stuff down pat!

Seniors are using the Internet to access health information, to read interesting articles on a unlimited number of topics, to play games, to network and connect. It is an integral part of the 60+ lifestyle.

Till next time

Julie

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