Posted by Peter Radsliff on Mon, Oct 26, 2009
It's funny how people in the high tech sector refer to the target recipients of elder technology as "those people who didn't grow up with technology." Nothing could be further from the truth. I'd like to see how the Facebook generation would cope with the first telephone, the first automobile, the first airplane, the first telephone answering machine, or the first electric typewriter…all within the first half of their lives. And what about the first calculator, the first teletype machine, the first facsimile, the first computer terminal, and of course, the first personal computer.
I actually think of my Dad's generation as the original "early adopters" of technology. Think about it, besides all of the marvels listed above, in his lifetime, he has seen the building of the Interstate highway system, international air travel, jets, space travel and man setting foot on the moon. Not to mention the Apple I computer, the PC AT and XT, plus DOS, Word Perfect, CalcStar and Lotus 1,2,3.
But after a certain age, people get lumped into the “they just don't ‘get it’” category not getting credit from the technorati of the day for their mastery of the phenomenal forward strides in technology they experienced throughout the 20th century.
So before we write-off our seniors as being too dimwitted to “get” Facebook, remember that they had "party lines" when they were kids and they knew how to socialize and make new friends in person, and they even knew it was the chicken's way out to send a “Dear John” letter (and it's still wrong to do so, even by text message).
Some of them choose Presto computerless email, because they think it's “cool” to get letters and photos faster than snail mail and without the hassle of Windows 7 upgrades, virus definition updates or Comcast triple play fees. And they might just know what they're doing using a system that let's them get incoming email without any expectation of written responses.
So cut grandma and grandpa a little slack. Recognize them for being the cool, early adopters that they were. And maybe listen closely when they don't get all excited about the latest tech gadget unveiled on Gizmodo (maybe, just maybe, it really wasn't that “cool” to begin with).
Posted by Peter Radsliff on Mon, Oct 19, 2009
[photo by PhotoDu.de used under the creative commons attribution license]
One of the more difficult discussions a child can have with their parent is when it is time to “take away the keys” because it’s unsafe for them to drive anymore. This is a emotionally charged issue. Not only does it signal a major change in lifestyle and independence, it also presents a difficult interpersonal situation for both parent and child. Here is a great article on the topic from geriatric expert Doctor Marion: [article]
But how about those other keys that may be bringing grandpa or grandma into a danger zone: the keys on their computer keyboard? Unlike the car, these keys don’t need to be taken away. But as he or she ages, they may need more help because of eyesight problems, arthritis, memory issues, or just the same issues we all deal with keeping our computers virus-free and running smoothly.
What I’ve done for the two elders in my life is get them each a Presto computerless email system in addition to their regular PCs. One of them wrote to tell me, “At first, I questioned the value of having another “gadget” in my house when I can already access emails on the computer. But I am here to tell you that at 86 years old, it is nice to have notes and pictures delivered to me with no effort on my part.” She went on to tell me, “I put the pictures on my coffee table or on the fridge. It gives me great pleasure to see them again and again throughout the day. I also love being able to carry them with me when I visit friends.”
When I asked how often she checked email, the answer I got was, “Once a week, or so.” When I asked if she ever printed out any photos that her six kids or 13 grandkids would email to her computer, she said, “No.”
If you’re a child of an elder loved one who is worried about them becoming lonely or disconnected from their broader family and friends, you may want to consider a computerless email system such as Presto as a supplement to their personal IT infrastructure. At least you’ll know that you can always get messages and photos to them, regardless of their PC’s condition, or their abilities.