Senior Technology

My first book was published in 1969 pounded out on a manual typewriter. Then I invested in an electric typewriter. My first computer arrived in 1984, a “portable” weighing 47 pounds without a hard drive. What a change from when a single computer took up a whole room. Today this quote caught my attention: Computers should be an ideal tool for older people, but they're afraid, and its a hard barrier to overcome . . . Young people tend to look at the older generation as second class citizens when it comes to technology.

Ah yes. I remember a few years ago trying to help an elderly woman many years my senior how to work the mouse for the new computer her son purchased for her. Now I watch youngsters glued to their iPads and smart phones, typing away with their thumbs. Not long ago, my wife and I shared dinner with a family with two collegians at home for the holidays. All four, especially the collegians, took short breaks during the meal to check their smart phones.

I had early noble aspirations as I subscribed to computer magazines only to abandon them because their technology was far more advanced than I was. I never did catch up. Although my latest books were written on computers, I never caught up with modern technology. That's for the next generations. I do have a cell phone but not a smartphone nor an iPad but that's perfectly OK. I can handle a GPS because it works for me.

If young people do tend to look at the older generation as second class citizens when it comes to technology, so be it. Even though some 85 and 90 year-oldies are technological marvels, not all seniors are so inclined and most can survive a meal without peeking at their smart- phones. Ironically, some seniors do surrender their driver's license, not because they are so old but because their vision has slipped a notch or their dexterity has diminished. But their wisdom predominates. So look out for these “second class citizens” who ride the bus without a smartphone or a GPS. Their wisdom and experience could give technology a good run for the money.

Remember when we talked about generation gaps? We don't seem to dwell as much on it as we did but the gap is still there. Grandparents need their grandkids but no more, really, than grandkids need their grandparents. What wonderful teamwork results when wisdom and experience is coupled with youth and technology; when age and youth merge; when smartphones talk to cell phones; when a helping hand guides a dim eye; when a crumpled bill transfers from one hand to another.

Yes, these Senior Moments are written for seniors but youngsters are welcome to take a peek now and then. And we seniors are not immune to reading tidbits from youthful hands. After all, we breathe the same air, don't we?