Q: I would love my dad to learn how to use a computer. I really think he would enjoy it.  He is 72 and he stubbornly says he is too old to learn.  He has all his faculties and is very alert and some of his friends would love to be able to keep in touch with him by e-mail.  What is your opinion when it comes to seniors and technology ?

Fear of failure plagues us all and that is what may be behind his resistance.

Endless advertising of ever changing latest and greatest cell phones and computer products can certainly be very intimidating to those who have not grown up in the computer age. Yet, I have come across a growing number of seniors that could not live without their laptops and cells.

My own dad asked for his first computer for his 70^th birthday. He signed up for a course at the local senior’s center and learned some very basic skills. Mostly he used it for e-mails, but he also signed up for some on line newspapers, played solitaire and loved his collection of digital family pictures. It kept him busy for hours on end and it made him feel felt connected to others.  The computer cable was the link that bonded him with the grandkids as they would visit and help him out when he hit a computer glitch.

Think about passing down an older computer to your dad next time you upgrade, and check out what the senior center in your community is offering in training.

————————————————————————————————————-

Q: I worry endlessly about my mom living on her own in her late 80’s. When we have talk about Assisted Living, she says she does not want to be with those old folks.  She is quite alert and able to do a lot for herself. As her only child I feel a huge pressure to be with her a lot and tend to her needs. Unfortunately it is not practical for me, as I travel a lot for work. Is she better off alone with some outside help, or to relocate?

I understand your dilemma and there are many of us out there asking the same question.

If your mother’s home is senior friendly meaning: safety upgrades to her bathroom, no stairs, has proper lighting, an emergency call system and is located  in a safe neighborhood, staying in place makes sense. As long as she eats properly and has some social connections and you check in with her regularly, she should be fine.

There is another type of residence for seniors that might be an option to consider. That is “Independent Living.” In order to reside in these places you have to be able to take care of yourself. The residents are independently mobile and mentally competent. This may fit your mom’s lifestyle better. The benefit of living in this type of housing is that they offer 24hr security, a meal plan, some activities and companionship with other seniors that are also independent.