The Elderly and Computers

My mother died recently, just short of her 91st birthday. In 1944, this lady, born and living in the UK, married a bomber pilot from the ‘other side of the world’, and moved with her husband to that ‘other side of the world’, in 1945.

Now the ‘other side of the world’ is not quite what Peter Jackson has depicted with his movies, but in those days, it was very much a one way passage, in the short, medium and even long term.

My mother never saw her own mother again, and it took 25 years before she was able to look her sisters in the eyes again, with her first trip back to the UK.

Over the years, there were children, cousins, daughters and sons in law, nieces, nephews, grand children, and even great grand children, and believe me, these people were and are, scattered all around the world.

My mother had spent 65 years living at ‘the other side of the world’, but in reality, that was no reason for her not to have daily reports from family members all around the globe. These reports were emails with attachments, photos of course, video clips and yes, she did have a Facebook account!

Conversely, she sent emails, reports, and advice all around the world, not always advice that was asked for, but always certainly very well meaning.

Now emails were not her only computer habit of course. She was a great research assistant. Any question that a family member was too lazy or not motivated enough to answer, the deal was to send it to Mum (Gran). Within minutes sometimes, the definitive answer would be received, thanks to Wikipedia, Google, no doubt her beloved Encyclopaedia Britannia, and of course her own knowledge. Pretty cool aye?

There is one other thing. Mum lived by herself, in her 2 storied house for 3 years after Dad died. The days could, I guess get long and I no doubt, lonely. However, what kept Mum alert, alive, and feeling valued was her computer and what it enabled her to do.

Mum did not get a computer until she was around 84, and after teaching her the fundamentals of sending emails, we had to endure a few telephone calls from her, asking if we had received the email she had sent a few minutes earlier, followed by, ‘well, why haven’t you replied’? It is not a telephone Mum!

So, we have established the importance of a computer for my mother. How many people in similar situations have the same needs of contact, feeling part of a family, and of the world? Millions, we all know what. Age is absolutely no barrier to what the world of computer can offer, and price is becoming far less of a consideration also.

Now, we all know the age also brings with it, discomforts and mobility issues that can make what have been simple tasks, a little more difficult. The use of the computer can be affected by these issues, such as getting to a desk, and getting into and out of the computer chair to access the keyboard and that mouse on the desk.

Well, this is where we have to use our brains. Why do we not get far more ‘point and click’ programs for older people, programs that have far less need to use a keyboard, and certainly take away the need to stretch forward and click that damn desk mouse? The business world is starting to take this very seriously.

Until we get more of these ‘point and click’ programs, do all older computer users know that there is an ‘on screen keyboard’ function? Yes, it is there in ‘programs/accessories/ accessibility/on screen keyboard’. This means that the user can sit or lie back without having to go to the keyboard, so all that is then needed is a wireless, deskfree, handheld mouse, such as The WeraMouse.

With what is already provided on the computer and a computer mouse that works without the need for a flat surface, the computer user can be free of a desk; be far more comfortable and relaxed; and be able to get up from a comfortable chair without having to untangle themselves from the evil wires that live under desks. Crikey, there are enough things to worry about other than breaking ones neck getting out of a chair.

Think about it. It worked wonders for my Mother.