Dont Isolate the Elderly. Time to Be Tech Savvy!
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Don’t isolate the elderly. Time to be tech savvy!
Remaining socially active as you age reduces the risk of dementia and various other health conditions. But it looks like we may have to stay away from elderly loved ones for quite some time.
Technology can help prevent social isolation. If an older adult in your life isn’t already online get them set up and help them learn ASAP, so that they can talk to family and friends online.
Social distancing shouldn’t mean social isolation.
Being lonely in old age would be no fun at all. Unable to go out it’ll be even worse!
Now, how to limit the risk of covid-19 infection whilst getting the elderly up to speed?
Easy get them into Online gaming - its already been proven in recent scinetific tests that computer gaming can actually help with memory and exercising the brain to prevent dementia - quite interesting so not only will it help social isolation it might actually help physically - the problem is getting the oldies into some type of gaming whether its Forza 4, Star Wars Battlefront II or World Of Tanks - hard choice I just got back into gaming myself after 30 years and must admit its quite fun i can see why the kids are into it in a big way!
garygemmell I'd like to see a 95 year old lady playing GTA. That would be entertainment in itself.
Very good idea I saw that documentary on dementia even got my mother a playstation but she did not fancy Tomb Raider or Doom so it went into the cupboard along with the juicer, popcorn maker and candyfloss machine!
HughJarsse We actually use our popcorn maker. The candyfloss machine needs to come out again. It will probably need to when all we have in the cupboard is sugar.
Remaining socially active is good as it reduces dementia so it is also proven that playing games can prevent dementia and other conditions.
We will all be brain dead zombies at end of isolation, unable to tell our virtual reality from real reality. I think I will stick to reading, writing, gardening, keep fit and home maintenance!
I live next to Thames and who walks there all the times? 15 min I counted 9 elderly....they may do not have TV? Opt out of news or think it does not matter and for some reason all stops in the same place to look at things...I was telling to my husband see....all the people stops in the same place, touch the metal handle in the same place...
No one should go out for fun...no walking, no running...just if u can do stay home...yeah I draw stuff, sometimes paint and get lost in Guildwars 2....I am sure there are crafts for the elderly too or just sign up for a free online course and learn something
Unfortunately many elderly people don't want to become tech savvy, and it isn't necessarily the best thing for many of them to take up in later life, the stress that can be caused when they have problems (and who doesn't) can be overwhelming, Yesterday I spent nearly two hours on the phone with someone who is nearly 80, who knows that if she needs many of the services the internet can provide, I'm at the other end of the phoneline.
I'm trying to set up some way in which people who need someone to chat to, which is more beneficial than stressing out over a computer, can be put in touch with someone in similar circumstances, if they need to chat, hopefully some of whom will be online, to help with information that can be found for them.
As most people are on anytime call deals with their phone contracts, or have times when they can call for free this should not entail any cost to them, I've also arranged for those who only have a mobile phone to get pay as you go for less than a penny a minute, which shouldn't break the bank, especially if a person who doesn't pay for calls either instigates the call or calls them back.
This idea doesn't necessarily need to be local, but perhaps better if it is in some circumstances, such as one might know someone who could drop off a bottle of milk, or get medication for the other one etc.
I should point out I've already worked out how security is not compromised and no one is compelled to speak to someone they don't want to.
Anyone interested in helping, or knows somebody who could benefit just say and I will get in touch (I've worked how that can be done too).
I think it may already be too late as it won't be good to visit anyone for lessons now. I know what it is like when my son tries to sort something over the phone with me. We begin squabbling because when it doesn't go right he doesn't believe I am doing what he has said lol. I sometimes end up wanting to throw the mouse.
I am one of the lucky ones as I do everything online having had a pc since the millennium and using one at work.
Have recently twigged how to put images on my deals and comps so all learning is, and should be, ongoing.
I doubt anyone knows everything a computer can do, or how to do it. As soon as you've got used to one operating system they change it. They have made it that computers have far too much on them instead of what we actually need, back in 2002 when I got my first the main operating system was XP and most people found it quite easy to use and it was reasonanly easy to talk a person through a problem or procedure on telephone. But now I wouldn't want to talk through some procedures.
Your son has my sympathies, and you have mine if ever you need to talk him through a procedure he doesn't know
Ever tried to teach a old person how to use tech? I once tried to teach my other halfs 86 year old granny how to use a DVD player.....never again!! My 80 + old grandad had a mobile for years but never once seen him use it & it was not once switched on when I tried to call it.
I work with a guy who is 4 years younger than me and he has a tablet tucked away that he never uses. He has to wait for his wife to turn on the laptop and bring up HER email which he has his work mail sent to.
I have offered about a dozen times to teach him basics if he brings tablet to work and set him up with email etc. But bottom line is, he can't be bothered/doesn't want to.
Did your other half's Granny want to know where to wind the DVD up? (I could never find it myself)
As an addendum to my comment above, this colleague was bemoaning the fact that last month's mobile bill was over £60. I told him mine is a tenner per month and I never run out of data. After closer questioning it transpired that he was using his phone data indoors instead of having the wi fi on and using his home internet!
He was sitting on his phone playing candy crush type games every night even though I explained it would cost nothing to play on his tablet if he connected it to the internet!
Lynibis I can well believe it. My MIL has a computer & tablet, she never uses either. Shes knows how to and is able to use them well enough but just isnt bothered & has no interest.
davidstockport Lol 
. I couldnt even get her past the fact she had to press the source button on remote. She just repeatedly (I mean repeatedly) asked me 'but what NUMBER do I press' I dont know who was more confused in the end, me or her. She still has said dvd player, I highly doubt its played 1 dvd yet.
I know a few who would prefer to have a long chat on the phone over texting or things like that. Now with more people stuck indoors, it might be a good time to call them up to see how they are? I’d love for them to get tech savvy, but unfortunately I know a lot who really hate modern technology (even though I know they’d love the likes of YouTube, etc)
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