Seniors are getting in touch with technology

by Gordon Black

When Betty Jones wanted to find out the benefits of eating broccoli, and Bob Fiddler needed to contact his family by e-mail, they turned to the computers at their senior center in Des Moines, Washington.

Like thousands of other seniors around North America these days, Jones and Fiddler are more interested in bytes than bingo, and more likely to get on-line than stand in line for a seniors' lunch.

"According to a recent Microsoft survey, over 23% of new PC buyers are over the age of 55. That's an increase of over 150% from last year," says Craig Spiezle, director of the Microsoft Senior Initiative. "In fact, seniors who are online are using the Internet more hours per week then any other age group."

The times, they are a changing
For a generation that came of age when computers were the size of pickup trucks, and the typewriter ruled supreme, mastering the personal computer and the Internet takes determination, persistence, and a willingness to learn. "At 81, you don't catch on as fast," concedes Fiddler, a retired anesthesiologist.

On a recent Friday at the Des Moines Senior Center, while a folk dancing class stomped in the next room, Fiddler studied his computer screen under the tutelage of 78-year-old Victor ZumBrunnen -- one of six 55-and-over volunteer "technology" tutors helping out at the center. 

Fiddler, who received a new computer as a gift last Christmas, has family in Hawaii, Texas, Oregon, and Washington with whom he wants to stay in contact. "I've got six kids and 15 grand-kids, and they all have computers, " he says. "They told me, 'Get a computer and we'll send you e-mail.'" Fiddler says he also likes to keep up on his stock portfolio. "Sometimes I get the stock quotes and sometimes I don't, but I don't know how I got it," he readily admits.

To Fiddler's left in the computer lab, 77-year-old Jones puts the past year of computer experience to use by searching the Internet for information on her favorite vegetable. "It's the best stuff in soup," she says of broccoli as she scans the results from several search engines.

Last year, almost 500 seniors took computer classes offered through the Des Moines Senior Center, according to senior services manager Sue Padden. "Their family members are upgrading and grandma and grandpa get the old equipment-- but within the year they are going out and buying a new computer," she comments.

Something old, something new
As befits an old barn-red building equipped with folding tables, faded carpet and blue venetian blinds, the computer network at the senior center is eclectic and does seem a little incongruous. This is due to the fact that local businesses, including Microsoft, have populated the lab by donating a variety of computers, as well as money. The nine computers are hooked up in a local area network with three printers and a scanner -- which is in high demand during the Create-Your-Own-Greeting-Card class using Microsoft Publisher.

In terms of software, however, the machines are consistent: all are running Windows and Internet Explorer 4.0. And they are connected to the Internet -- which is what attracted 72-year-old Patricia Hill, who doesn't own a computer. She was talked into learning e-mail by her son John, who lives 300 miles away in northeastern Washington, and uses the center's computers for keeping in touch with him.

"There's an awful lot to absorb"
"My son went down to the library and gave me this," Hill says, proffering a list of keyboard commands that she admits she doesn't understand. "There's an awful lot to absorb at one time," says the retired homemaker during her second visit to the computer lab. She's slowly mastering e-mail and getting grounded in the Web with the help of Kim Klose, a 61-year-old who is partially retired from selling office equipment. Klose first used a computer back in the sixties and likes to help other seniors gain expertise in computers. "Anytime I come here and help, I learn too," he says.

The classes offered in Des Moines are by no means unique, though the partnership with the local high school did garner the center an award for Inter-generational Cooperation from the Washington Association of Cities.

As the world continues to become more dependent on e-mail and the Web, the pressure for senior citizens to stay in touch using this technology keeps growing. "As long as we offer the introduction class, we will always have enough sign ups," says senior center manager Padden. "Our seniors truly want to be a part of the computer age and computer technology."

Gordon Black plans to ask the Des Moines seniors for help the next time he has a computer question.

The computer age
Retired teacher and school administrator Ardell Morgan bought a computer a month before turning 75. She now sends and receives e-mail and has taken a class about the Internet.

Here she relates one of her first computer experiences using a CD-ROM.

"I listened to all kinds and styles of music, and could even click to various parts in the works of our great musical masters. It was thrilling," she says.

For more information on how seniors can realizing exciting new possibilities of computers and the Internet visit the Microsoft Seniors web site.