Seniors and the Computer

By Helen Pat Marcantel

If you ever wondered if older folks are using computers, this item from the CBS News website of July 21, 2008 should answer your wondering.

Kathryn Robinson, age 106, began using the Internet at age 98 when her nursing home in West Chester, PA made access available to her.

The world heard fairly recently that the Republican presidential candidate, John McCain, does not know how to use the Internet. While we are now told that he quickly remedied that oversight, senior citizens in general are doing quite well with their computer use.

According to a report from the Pew Research Center dated July 24, 2008, 35 percent of seniors in this country use the net.  Out of this percentage, 75 percent are white, college-educated men.  What in the world are these people doing?  Playing games--a medley of Spider, Hearts, and Free Cell?  Copying recipes?  You may be surprised, you supple young people, ages from the very young to mid-life. Here's a sampling of what some "oldsters" are up to:

Ina Cowen, age 81, lives in Alexandria, Louisiana and has been using a computer since the early 1980's.

Q.  Where and when was the first time you used a computer, and what did you think of it?  Did you ever think it would be useful to you?

A. How did I first hear about computers?  That's a sort of dumb question if you don't mind me saying so. You would have to be living under a bucket not to know what the entire world was talking about, even in the early 80s.  I remember visiting my sister Jean in Harlingen, Texas.  She was using a computer, doing some work for her son, and I became intrigued.

The thought passed through my mind that maybe I could find some type of job using a computer at home.  My husband had died, I had four young children at home, and a job that took up eight hours of my day.  Well, that didn't pan out, but the computer bug definitely bit me.  I began college in 1983 at age 55 and remember buying a computer and using it for my college work.  Can't remember what brand it was or what the features were.

In 1997, I bought a Packard Bell to replace the original computer.  I still have this PB and use it mainly to check my bank account.  I don't bank on line though.  I am still one of those "Nervous Nellies" about putting my finances out for all the world to peek at.

In 2002, I bought a Dell computer with all the bells and whistles I wanted...mainly lots and lots of memory.  I've been very satisfied with it even though it's much smarter than I am.  How do I use it today?  E-mail takes up much of my time...too much.  I use the word processing to compile the mailing lists and labels for mailing invitations to our yearly art group show. I belong to another art group called “ArtQuest,” and I do the same for this group.  Also, I occasionally write letters.

I have an ongoing project that is way behind at this point.  I am scanning my photos and/or slides of my paintings to put them on a CD.  I have all of 1990 and part of 1991 done.  Since I've been painting in all of the ensuing years, you can tell that I'm way, way, way behind."

Q. How do you use the Internet?

A. As for the Internet, once in a while I'll order books, and I check around for various items of interest on eBay.  When my grandson Andrew is visiting, he uses the net frequently, playing games and visiting his chat room.

Q.  Could you do without a computer today?

A. Could I do without my computer today?  I would rather not.  I find it a great link to the outside world and to my good friends!

Q.  What would you like to see for seniors on the Internet, if anything?

A. Is there a dating service exclusively for seniors?  Just kidding.  There are lots of gadgets, and I'm sure, even more bells and whistles than I'll ever be able to master. I'm pretty satisfied with it just the way it is.

Jim Owen, Dallas, Age 70

Q. Where and when did you first learn of computers?  What did you think of them?  Did you think one would ever be useful to you?

 A.  I first saw a computer while I was attending college at Ole Miss in the early 60s.  It was an old-fashioned mainframe large computer, as large as a refrigerator. While taking a class in accounting, the professor introduced us to the computer.  It required using key punch cards.  I was about 20 years old and couldn't see how I would ever be able to use it.

 Q.  What prompted you to take the leap to using the computer?

A.  When personal computers came out in the 80s, then I became interested.  I used one at work, but just for e-mails.

Q.  How do you use your computer now?

A.  Once I retired, my use significantly increased because I was involved in several small businesses. I do cash flow charts, taxes, I keep all-important documents, such as birth and death certificates.  On the Internet, I do banking, keep up with organizations I belong to such as the PGA organization and the LSU Alumni Association.  I make purchases and also sell sports memorabilia, I research sports (mainly LSU), and also play various games such as bridge and Suduko.  I also e-mail.

Q.  Could you do without a computer today?

A.  I could, but it would make my life a lot harder.

Helen Carroll, Lake Charles, Age 75

Q.  Where and when was the first time you used a computer, and what did you think of it?  Did you ever think it would be useful to you?

A.  The late 80s was when I heard a buzz about computers.  I was not the least bit interested; my trusty typewriter was just fine.  Then in the 90s, I was seriously thinking about writing a book to help celebrate our small town's centennial. One of my sons told me I had to do this task on a computer, not my old typewriter.  "So much easier."  I felt intimidated by such cutting edge technology.  "I'm too old.  I can't learn how to do it, I'm sure of it."  He insisted that I could do it and brought a Compaq computer to my home and showed me how to operate it.

What did I think of it?  I was scared to death as I started on the book and saved every chapter about 100 times.  I progressed as I went along (especially when I learned about the "delete" key) and realized that computers were the way to go, although I had only scratched the surface of their use with word processing.

Q.  How do you use the Internet?

A.  I make purchases such as books, shoes, presents for family, etc.
I've even bid on eBay, winning the bidding on a doll for a granddaughter.  Information about any subject in the world is available by using the search engines.  I download road maps before I take any road trips.  I like Google and Yahoo.  I store photographs in the computer, I maintain two blogs (on-line journals), and of course, keep up with friends and family via e-mail.
I also play games when I have time.

Q.  Could you do without a computer today?

A.  Of course I could, but I would miss it terribly. Just thinking about going back to a typewriter makes me cringe.  Drudgery!

Q.  What would you like to see for seniors on the Internet, if anything?

A.  All websites should have great contrast so that print is easier to read.

Sue Guillory, Lake Charles, Age 60

Q. Where and when was the first time you used a computer, and what did you think of it?  Did you ever think it would be useful to you?

 A.  Sometime in the mid-80s, I had to operate a word processor on the job.  I thought it was an electronic typewriter. But then I learned that I could save whole pages, cut and paste paragraphs, delete, undo, etc. This was the greatest thing since the microwave, I thought.  Poof!  Procedures, documents, hundreds of pages, forms could just be replicated or adjusted.  No mo' liquid paper or carbons. Almost magic.
 
My first experience with an actual computer started in the early 90s at work.  I limped through different programs with huge databases and Excel spreadsheets, to name a few. Every time you caught on, they replaced it with a new system.  I hated it. But then I found what every red-blooded worker worth their salt finds and should thoroughly enjoy on the job:  E-mail!

Maybe in the late 90s, I bought my own PC, thinking hey, piece of cake, I know how to do it at work. Maybe it was apples and oranges, but no, it was AOL. and a Compaq.  Nothing nearly as smooth and fast as on the job. A friend decided to get a PC.  I told her to get ready for the most aggravating and frustrating time of her new life and to keep hammers and bricks away.  Later, my next computer was unfortunately a Gateway, but Rita took care of that for me. I now have a Dell.  I can set up a computer for myself and help deep-cyberspace-challenged friends.      

Q.  How do you use the Internet?

 A. Thru high-speed cable, of course. I use Outlook Express e-mail, and climb into my Mozilla Firefox to search. Wondering about something - anything?  Google it. Spelling? Hit tools. Find recipes, place a hold on a book at the library, read reviews, and there's so much more. Go ahead, surf the high-speed fiber-optic highway, then the day is gone and house was never cleaned.
 
Q.  Could you do without a computer today?

A.   If China or Iran ever launches a neutron bomb over America, we'll all be doing without a computer.   

Q.  What would you like to see for seniors on the Internet, if anything?

A.   Just like on the highway, their own s-l-o-w lanes.  You know, hit this key for seniors and get all the automatic help a human could need. Forget all that tech support hype, you've forgotten what your question was by the time or if they get back to you. What are you scared of, porn sites? Someone stealing your paltry checking account?  Lighten up and use common sense--that's what your Internet provider, anti-Spam and spyware are for. Your IP can set your security settings up.  Stay away from pop up ads.