Rosemary Gets a Computer
The next morning is Saturday and over her solitary coffee and toast, Rosemary thinks about her friend Georgia recovering from a broken hip. Georgia told Rosemary that she has been keeping in touch with her daughter Jillian by email. Rosemary knows that the internet is available, but has not had much of an opportunity to use it. Rosemary imagines that her grandchildren are using the internet when they are clicking on their gadgets. Rosemary calls her son Alex to ask him about the internet. Rosemary asks Alex if he uses the internet and he tells his mother that he uses it for everything. Alex states that he can find the answer for anything on the internet even the menu for a restaurant. Rosemary wants to know what she can use it for. Could she talk to Georgia through the internet during her stay at Pine Cone Creek Rehabilitation Center? Alex tells his mother that she can keep in touch with her daughter and granddaughters as well as Georgia. They can send messages back and forth, share photos, and even trade recipes if they like. Alex seems exceedingly excited about this and is quickly talking to his mother about all the possibilities for her if she has the internet. Rosemary is worried about how much this will cost and how she will learn to use it. Without asking, Alex states that he will be over in the morning with his old computer to get her started. Rosemary is excited to keep in close touch with Georgia and feels that she is one step behind her friend who already knows how to use the internet.
Seniors, Computers, and Email
It comes as no surprise that more and more seniors are using computers to keep in touch with their families. Although it seems that computers are much more simple than they used to be, they can be daunting to a senior who has never used this medium to communicate. Seniors often report that they feel that they will “break” something or may do the wrong thing.
Email can be made much more simple for seniors with software such as Paw Paw Mail and Red Stamp Mail. This software provides an interface with large icons such as “Read Mail”, “Send Mail”, and “Photos” so it is easier for the senior to see what they are looking for. For more information see: pawpawmail.com or redstampmail.com
Remember to research thoroughly before purchasing anything online.