Computers for the aged.

[Gandtee]

What's the general opinion of the benefit of old people using computers. I'm ninety and my wife for thirty seven years, complains that I spend too much time on my computer. My reply is that it keeps my mind active and of course the benefits of communicating with family and others. What do you think?

[OneMoreFarang]

3 minutes ago, Gandtee said:

What's the general opinion of the benefit of old people using computers. I'm ninety and my wife for thirty seven years, complains that I spend too much time on my computer. My reply is that it keeps my mind active and of course the benefits of communicating with family and others. What do you think?

 

I helped a few older people to use computers.

Especially email, looking up things on the internet, things like that.

Games are obviously also something to do. Strategy, reaction, whatever.

 

I think it's important for old people to know their limitations and the dangers on the internet.

I.e. don't work with banking apps or anything related to money when you don't know exactly what you are doing.

 

But there are also smaller risks.

A couple of years ago I read about a girl who complained that her father became Facebook member and then insisted to be a Facebook friend of his daughter. So far no problem.

The daughter was a little ashamed when her friends looked at her fathers Facebook page.

Her father liked a certain football club, and he liked steak and grilled chicken. He also liked girls with big tits and barely legal and some other sites like that.

His daughter was not impressed.

 

So, whatever you do, make sure you know what you are doing. 

 

 

 

 

[Moonlover]

I don't think I'd be able to do the paperwork for my annual extension without my computer. So even at 78 years old I still make the effort to remain as computer literate as I can. And although phone apps have taken over when it comes to banking, having on-line banking can still come in handy.

 

I also subscribe to an on-line Qigong training academy from which I have greatly benefitted. To learn this art to the level that I have would have been impossible 20 years ago. 

 

I also like to play logic games such as Sudoku and Kakuro. It all helps to keep those brain cells engaged and active. Use it or loose it as they say.

[johng]

Computer  with a big screen  "proper" keyboard and mouse  much better than a tiny weeny phone for everything at every age IMHO.

[Moonlover]

13 minutes ago, johng said:

Computer  with a big screen  "proper" keyboard and mouse  much better than a tiny weeny phone for everything at every age IMHO.

Another big advantage of a computer is that you can't walk around streets with your eyes glued to it as so many folks do with their phones nowadays. 

[steven100]

1 hour ago, Gandtee said:

What's the general opinion of the benefit of old people using computers. I'm ninety and my wife for thirty seven years, complains that I spend too much time on my computer. My reply is that it keeps my mind active and of course the benefits of communicating with family and others. What do you think?

 

but your not getting any exercise at all,  mind you at ninety I would say you don't need a great deal of physical action either. 

[johng]

4 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

walk around streets with your eyes glued to it as so many folks do with their phones nowadays. 

The mobile phone "zombies" are really quite sad  I think it's a worse addiction than almost any drug.

[johng]

2 minutes ago, steven100 said:

but your not getting any exercise at all,

Exercising the mind is part of overall health, using a computer to learn new things, play games, engage in online forums etc etc... I think can be beneficial.  

[steven100]

3 minutes ago, johng said:

Exercising the mind is part of overall health, using a computer to learn new things, play games, engage in online forums etc etc... I think can be beneficial.  

that's fine and while I agree ...  what about the leg muscles and bones not being exercised at all everyday.  I think both the mind and the body tissue / muscles need attention each day. 

[steven100]

1 hour ago, Gandtee said:

I'm ninety

 

That's pretty good ......  I think Clint Eastwood is 93yrs old now,      just saying.

[johng]

3 minutes ago, steven100 said:

I think both the mind and the body tissue / muscles need attention each day.

Yes agreed 100%

[Bangel72]

Whilst there are benefit its important to be aware of the risks.

 

Online scamming both mobile and pc are skyrocketing, I do not know if its a more vulnerable age group but if easily confused scammers will target their life savings.

 

Bad enough with the ten year olds on the their mobile, papa I have a package at the post office and I need to pay fee to get it out of customs.

 

This was a real call to my son's pal last week, my kid was joking about it as they do have a level of awareness of scammers but not enough, "nobody on the internet is real, not a single one" is about as far as he understands.

 

Some older people may get confused and not get that, it can be particularly devastating to lose everything so late on.

[BigStar]

1 hour ago, Sticky Rice Balls said:

porn..

 

no other uses for a pc....

 

maybe to watch cat vids on youtube...but most prefer pussycats 🙂

 

No.

 

[Moonlover]

5 minutes ago, steven100 said:

that's fine and while I agree ...  what about the leg muscles and bones not being exercised at all everyday.  I think both the mind and the body tissue / muscles need attention each day. 

For the average person there are 16 hours per day available for 'activities' in the broadest sense. Surely in that time there is enough available to be able to exercise both body and mind. I generally exercise for around 2 hours per day and I will also get up from the desk regularly and just move around some.

 

You must have heard the term: 'sitting is the new smoking'. I actually get a bit cranky if I don't get up and move regularly. As I'm about to do so right now!

[Gandtee]

42 minutes ago, steven100 said:

 

but your not getting any exercise at all,  mind you at ninety I would say you don't need a great deal of physical action either. 

I'm up at 0545 and out for a short walk and basic upper body exercise to get the bits moving. I'm in and out of the kitchen all day that has two steps down to it, and the house is up ten steps. So during the day I'm doing step ups that people go to the gym for. Not complaining as I have no health problems other than getting old. Some of us are lucky enough to reach that point. Thanks to those that commented on a pretty inane subject.

[Raindancer]

2 hours ago, Gandtee said:

What's the general opinion of the benefit of old people using computers. I'm ninety and my wife for thirty seven years, complains that I spend too much time on my computer. My reply is that it keeps my mind active and of course the benefits of communicating with family and others. What do you think?

Keep doing what you're doing at that great age.  I hope I am as capable as you, if I ever reach that milestone.👍🙏🏻

 

 

 

[steven100]

3 minutes ago, Gandtee said:

I'm up at 0545 and out for a short walk and basic upper body exercise to get the bits moving. I'm in and out of the kitchen all day that has two steps down to it, and the house is up ten steps. So during the day I'm doing step ups that people go to the gym for. Not complaining as I have no health problems other than getting old. Some of us are lucky enough to reach that point. Thanks to those that commented on a pretty inane subject.

 

do you enjoy a beer at ninety in the evening ?   just curious .... 

[digbeth]

what's exactly will you be creating that requires a use of a proper computer as oppose to a tablet like an ipad where you can lounge around and read as opposed to sitting up on a desk

 

if you write memoirs or edit photos or enjoy tinkering away on the computer sure, 

I still build my own PC with multiple monitors and prefer them to phone screens. Compared to the newer generation that can do everything on their phones, I realize I could be seen like my parents' generation, who need everything printed out on paper to read.

[Gandtee]

2 hours ago, steven100 said:

 

do you enjoy a beer at ninety in the evening ?   just curious .... 

Yes. Or like just now, I've just had a gin and tonic that I enjoy.

[steven100]

5 minutes ago, Gandtee said:

Yes. Or like just now, I've just had a gin and tonic that I enjoy.

 

G&T is my second favorite after beer.   Very good ....     but after 6-7 Chang I don't ... but sometimes a bottle of Gin ...

 

[Gandtee]

2 hours ago, digbeth said:

what's exactly will you be creating that requires a use of a proper computer as oppose to a tablet like an ipad where you can lounge around and read as opposed to sitting up on a desk

 

if you write memoirs or edit photos or enjoy tinkering away on the computer sure, 

I still build my own PC with multiple monitors and prefer them to phone screens. Compared to the newer generation that can do everything on their phones, I realize I could be seen like my parents' generation, who need everything printed out on paper to read.

My daughter treated me to a laptop with a separate keyboard and a monitor. The eyes are not what they were, so everything is comfortably large and clear. I enjoy the old British films and the American ones from a time when they spoke English I could understand. Marlon Brando is not exactly Cary Grant. 😉

[Gandtee]

1 minute ago, steven100 said:

 

G&T is my second favorite after beer.   Very good ....     but after 6-7 Chang I don't ... but sometimes a bottle of Gin ...

 

That would finish me off now. Those days are over. Been there. Got the T shirt.😉 

[Surasak]

[Gandtee]

23 hours ago, Gandtee said:

What's the general opinion of the benefit of old people using computers. I'm ninety and my wife for thirty seven years, complains that I spend too much time on my computer. My reply is that it keeps my mind active and of course the benefits of communicating with family and others. What do you think?

One of the benefits I am most happy about is being able to do my 90 report on line. At least I only have to go to Immigration once a year, for my retirement extension. After thirty seven years of doing it and living in the same place I'd have thought Immigration could have come up with an easier method for us long stayers. But....🫠

[recom273]

4 hours ago, Surasak said:

Someone posted a video on Reddit of kids swinging over a river on a weeping willow tree, the branch snapped and the kid fell in the river - the general idea of the sub is that kids are stupid. I remember vividly daring mates and taking part in swinging over the lake on weeping willow branches, it was called fun! 

 

[superal]

On 7/3/2024 at 1:59 PM, OneMoreFarang said:

 

I helped a few older people to use computers.

Especially email, looking up things on the internet, things like that.

Games are obviously also something to do. Strategy, reaction, whatever.

 

I think it's important for old people to know their limitations and the dangers on the internet.

I.e. don't work with banking apps or anything related to money when you don't know exactly what you are doing.

 

But there are also smaller risks.

A couple of years ago I read about a girl who complained that her father became Facebook member and then insisted to be a Facebook friend of his daughter. So far no problem.

The daughter was a little ashamed when her friends looked at her fathers Facebook page.

Her father liked a certain football club, and he liked steak and grilled chicken. He also liked girls with big tits and barely legal and some other sites like that.

His daughter was not impressed.

 

So, whatever you do, make sure you know what you are doing. 

 

 

 

 

You made me laugh , are you sure you are not quoting a personal experience ? Similar to asking for a friend 555

[OneMoreFarang]

2 hours ago, superal said:

You made me laugh, are you sure you are not quoting a personal experience ? Similar to asking for a friend 555

 

I never used facebook. That is one way to avoid those mistakes. 

 

Another possible problem with people who are not so familiar with computers is the browsing history (only accessible on the user's PC). Some people have a very interesting history. 

 

Edited July 5 by OneMoreFarang

[Old Nomad]

If one develops severe disabilities, computers or smart speakers/displays are a convenient means to stay in contact with other people. Refusing to get some basic experience when getting older ( (as I see with elderly people living around me in Germany) is simply stupid.

[OneMoreFarang]

14 minutes ago, Old Nomad said:

Refusing to get some basic experience when getting older ( (as I see with elderly people living around me in Germany) is simply stupid.

To be fair, it's not easy for anybody who never used computers in their life.

Maybe 30 years ago I trained young people how to use Windows and WinWord. Click here to do this, double-click there to do that. Right click to do something else. Click on that icon in the top right corner, no, the other one, .....

For people who use computer since years, or all their life, it is difficult to understand how alien computers are for old people.

Years later, I was computer teacher for a 70 year old guy who was previously big boss in a large company. Her had secretaries and never had to use a PC. After a while, he learned the basics. But it takes time.

 

And, as usual, people learn best if they have a good motivation to learn, i.e. keeping in contact with friends and family. But it's still not easy.

 

[save the frogs]

yes, there are benefits to being online.

 

but how much is too much time? and why is she complaining?

 

I had a gf complain once when I was watching a TV series. women need a lot of attention.