What's your stereotype of the typical computer user? A Mohawked teenager souping up his machine? A techno-nerd spending all his/her waking hours in front of the screen, developing an unhealthy pallor? An executive bringing her laptop on vacation and never getting out of the hotel room?

Well, the reality is that, more and more, seniors are getting into computers! Seniors and computers are a great match, for plenty of reasons....

• they have the patience and dedication that it takes to learn 
  
• they have more leisure time...to pick up and develop new skills 
  
• they are motivated to stay in touch with family and friends
  
• for some seniors, computers are a way to overcome physical challenges
  
• shopping by computers is a real plus for persons with mobility problems.

First of all, let's dispense with the notion that computers are a new invention, developed by young people. The reality is...computer technology has developed over the course of years, and there are plenty of older adults out there who knew computers when computers were a lot less "user friendly" than they are now.

Chances are you know a number of older adults who are not "newbies" (beginners), but who quite to the contrary have eagerly adopted new technology as it has evolved...and are indeed some of the most knowledgeable computer people out there.

What's new now is that you don't have to be a "techie" to operate a computer. With the evolution of the personal computer, the machines are becoming more and more "user friendly." It's a lot like cars—in the early days of the automobile, the driver and mechanic pretty much had to be the same person! But now, even if you don't know much about how your car works, you can still be a good driver. And computers are the same way.

If you are reading this, you yourself are probably experiencing this (not-so-new) world of the personal computer...right from a comfortable chair. It may seem like a miracle! And in a way...it is!

More Resources

SeniorNet is a nonprofit organization of computer-using adults, age 50 and older, whose mission is to provide older adults with education and access to computer technologies to enhance their lives and enable them to share their knowledge and wisdom.   

The AARP website's Computer and Technology section includes tutorials and reviews for computer and Internet use, as well as an extensive collection of articles.