StephenWinbaum
Communications Coordinator
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Sep 14, 2005, 10:13 AM
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Computers plus seniors equals a new opportunity — for residents and owners of retirement facilities.
Seniors represent the fastest-growing Internet demographic, and their numbers are expanding. Of the 40-million Americans who reached the retirement age of 65 this year, many possessed unacknowledged computer skills.
The stereotypical couch-bound senior without computer skills is inaccurate; the retirement industry needs to catch up –-
- the online senior market is virtually untapped
- retirement residents find computers to be essential for their needs and wellbeing
Gerontological research has revealed that seniors who use computers are less prone to depression, because they keep in contact with others and continue to learn online. The result is better mental health and morale.
Residents find e-mail easier than writing letters to family and friends. Internet savvy seniors surf the web for specialized sites to chat, make new friends, and get into discussion sessions.
Specialized senior websites can provide high-level interactive learning.
For example —
- current events
- book reviews and discussions
- opinion polls
- hobbies
- contests
- health education forums
- computer demos
Seniors can join in challenging and flexible courses from colleges and universities across North America via distance education, and earn recognized academic credits. Travel time to far-off academic locations will be cut down; they can learn by themselves or with others in the residence.
Some seniors will require vision aids to read computer screens. Computer fonts and monitors can be enlarged and lighting modified to reduce this problem. Also, a lot of online information – pictures, recipes, and maps - can be magnified.
The new generation of online seniors is upon us; retirement facilities need to be ready.
Stephen Winbaum is the Communications Coordinator of RetirementHomes.com
stephen@retirementhomes.com
(This post was edited by StephenWinbaum on Nov 15, 2005, 8:14 AM)
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