My mum once said 'she lives in a world that is recognizable'. Hopefully she's not demonstrating Alzheimer's but rather than the world's changed a great deal in 50 years and is technically a new planet. This is no more evident than when we observe that computers for senior citizens are an alien concept.
Despite the difficulties in training the elderly to use the internet don't give up. It will inject a new lease of life. However it's a slow process and it's important to be patient and not lose your temper when they don't understand the jargon. Because everyone uses computer jargon whether they work in IT or not; mouse, cursor, return, control alt delete, browser, the list is endless and to a pensioner can be confusing.
First you should set up the computer, but not in their presence, as this will simply confuse them more. Also set up email accounts and anything else they need before you start. Clean the desktop and only have shortcuts to things they actually need. These should be enlarged.
Call the shortcuts simple things such as email, or internet. Also remember to disable the screensaver. It can panic the elderly user when the screen changes. They think they have broken it and will never touch it again.
To limit stress only demonstrate one application a day: first day: sending emails and replying. Mention spam at your peril. Second day, surfing the internet (how many LOL cat sites are there?), third day writing letters in word, fourth day (for the advanced) Skype, although internet calls as a concept can be too much to take in.
If these lessons seem like your idea of hell, there are wonderful clubs for 'Silver surfers', where more patient people will teach all these basic skills. You just have to sit back and wait for the IT support calls to come in.
Despite the difficulties in training the elderly to use the internet don't give up. It will inject a new lease of life. However it's a slow process and it's important to be patient and not lose your temper when they don't understand the jargon. Because everyone uses computer jargon whether they work in IT or not; mouse, cursor, return, control alt delete, browser, the list is endless and to a pensioner can be confusing.
First you should set up the computer, but not in their presence, as this will simply confuse them more. Also set up email accounts and anything else they need before you start. Clean the desktop and only have shortcuts to things they actually need. These should be enlarged.
Call the shortcuts simple things such as email, or internet. Also remember to disable the screensaver. It can panic the elderly user when the screen changes. They think they have broken it and will never touch it again.
To limit stress only demonstrate one application a day: first day: sending emails and replying. Mention spam at your peril. Second day, surfing the internet (how many LOL cat sites are there?), third day writing letters in word, fourth day (for the advanced) Skype, although internet calls as a concept can be too much to take in.
If these lessons seem like your idea of hell, there are wonderful clubs for 'Silver surfers', where more patient people will teach all these basic skills. You just have to sit back and wait for the IT support calls to come in.
No comments:
Post a Comment