When we install wireless access in our homes or in the home of aging parents, it’s common for most of us to use it intensively while understanding few of the details about the equipment and how various components work. We usually know when it’s not working, but that’s about it. Bottom line? We should all learn … Continue reading
Tagged with SeniorTech …
Internet Cafe in Philly Senior Center
A senior center in Philadelphia recently used United States Recovery Funds to renovate its dining room, make it green friendly, and add an Internet cafe with connected laptops. Lots of enthusiastic elders, who have been enjoying meals for years, are thrilled with the new dining facilities and eager to connect. Tutoring will be available for … Continue reading
Caregiving – Coordinating the Stakeholders
As a parent ages, the range of people who offer support expands dramatically. The older the person the larger the group can be, with multiple doctors, caregivers, assisted living staff, family members, friends, and therapists. A broad range of supporters is a plus, but a designated coordinator, someone in possession of the big picture, is … Continue reading
Software Reference Guides for Aging Parents and Aging Children
Check out the Custom Guide website for a large number of free “how to” software documents, many in pdf (this means easy to download and open) format. Reference tutorial sheets are available for most of the Microsoft Office programs, for PC and Mac operating systems, and for a number of other software programs. Older versions … Continue reading
Update on My Parents’ Blog
My parents worked hard to figure out (outwit?) the eccentricities of the Blogger site, and they managed to get their new blog up and running. They only needed a bit of help from me. I have made a mental note to think about writing some technology tutorials and attaching them to a technology tutorial posting … Continue reading
NIH Senior Net – A Senior Friendly Site
…and Tips for Making a Website Senior Friendly Take a few minutes to visit this NIH Senior Health site. Bring an aging parent along. Notice the great care that has been taken to make the site easy-to-read with large type and navigation links that are clear and uncluttered. This site is full of information on … Continue reading
Google Buzz and Gmail: Heads Up for Seniors and Everyone Else
If you or your parents use Gmail, as we do, be alert for the new Google Buzz. It is easy to check your e-mail and suddenly find yourself connected into Buzz, and right now if this happens there is almost no privacy. This is a newfangled social networking platform like Facebook or MySpace, but it … Continue reading
My Parent’s Blog – Seniors and Blogs
Wow! Technology never stops. This morning my parents, age 86 and 82, told me that they went to Google and started a blog. This is the coolest thing because they love to write and they love their computers. Also they have lots of great opinions about helping others, ethics, and building community. I cannot wait … Continue reading
Census Information and Aging Parents
I’ve written about seniors and aging parents and how they can interact with technology, computers, urban legends, and scams, but one aspect that I have not touched on is the upcoming census. Dale over at the Transition Aging Parents blog, has written an excellent post about helping aging parents avoid census scams. Census information gathering … Continue reading
Technology and Seniors: Practice Makes It Easier
If you are an aging child and you have parents who use or want to use computers, check out this great web site. The Senior’s Guide to Computers, run and updated by Jeff Mayer, features wide-ranging advice, ideas, illustrations, tutorials, and much more. His explanations are in simple plain English, and it’s possible to choose … Continue reading
Seniors: Avoid Online Fraud
All of us, no matter what our ages, need to take care when we buy things online. There is so much to learn about the online world, and deceptive or fraudulent practices take advantage of any gap in our knowledge. When you read the rest of this post about deceptive practices related to online purchasing, … Continue reading
Scary or Urgent E-mail — Don’t Be Fooled
E-mail is the best communication tool for seniors, kids, and grandchildren and is so easy and convenient! This interconnectedness is even more important at times of family illness and when family members live far away from one another. All family members, but especially seniors, need to master some important skills and understand some key concepts, … Continue reading
Technology and Senior Adults
Both of my parents love their computers. They use e-mail, the web, or simply pen their thoughts. My mother is a cracker-jack e-mail user, communicating with various political, church, and personal lists. My father, I think, would really enjoy a smart phone because of the easy access to resources, though he would not like to … Continue reading
Phone Calls that Take Advantage
More than once a week my telephone rings and when I pick up an urgent recorded voice tells me that time is running out to make important and needed changes on my credit card (push #1 for assistance) or my car warranty. At other times I hear about the best deal for my mortgage (if … Continue reading
