silver surfers save money - but who helps them to start surfing??

Mrs_Redmoid

i think this site is great and that this fills an amazing need for those who want to make money and/or save money in financial areas where they can - its an education in finance that i feel should be compulsory in schools...but how do the older generation gain access to the information in this site if they are not so computer literate??

duchy

You'd be surprised.

I work in Broadband tech support for a TV/BB company and there's a massive number of "Silver Surfers" -Often they pick it up far better than younger people who you'd expect to find it easier.

Most local libaries and some colleges run Get Started on Computers courses for free and the pick up from the retired for these is high. Many get on-line to keep in touch with their children/grandchildren who live in other parts of the country or the world and love their webcams and their Skype !

I find the least computer savvy not to be the retired but those in their forties to fifties who are the most resistent to technology and the most convinced that PC's are some kind of freaky complicated technology. I just tell them I am their age and if I can do it-so can they

lilac_lady

Who says we're not computer literate? Apparently dating sites are full of OAPs. BTW, I'm not speaking from experience!

Savvy_Sue

Welcome, Mrs R.

I think they pick up what they want to pick up by attending courses (widely available through local libraries, adult education etc), and getting their younger relatives to show them. But if they don't want to do something, they won't ...

Plus, people can still access information the old-fashioned way: there are a couple of MSE books, and there are even other authors out there, regular articles in magazines and newspaper columns about basic finance, and TV programmes.

Running_On_Empty

Not all older people are computer illiterate.
All my elderly relatives in their 70s use computers. The ones in their 80s and 90s can't be bothered and I don't blame them.
I started using t'internet in 1993 and got my first email address at that time, via my work.
I'm now retired.

margaretclare

DH and I know of many people in our local area, and further afield, who are in their 80s and 90s and are habitual computer users. I wouldn't say it was true of 80s and 90s that they 'cannot be bothered'. That may be true of some, but by no means all. We know 90-year olds who happily use it.

One of my distant cousins, and her husband, happily declare that their home is a 'computer-free zone'. They've been saying that for at least 10 years and they're younger than us, so they've had that view from their late 50s onwards and they think that this Luddite view is something to be proud of.

It could be argued that, with advancing age, frailty, difficulty in getting out and doing things physically, the computer world would become more attractive, not less. Online banking and shopping are obvious examples. No need to struggle out in bad weather to draw pension, pay bills or buy groceries.

Anyone wanting to find out where, need only go to the local library. Or phone the local authority where they can find courses convenient to where they live and the time they have available.

alanq

This is Get Online Week

http://www.bbc.co.uk/connect/campaigns/first_click.shtml

http://www.getonlineweek.com/

margaretclare

That's obviously the reason why the BBC Radio 4's long-running series 'The Archers' has a current storyline about one of the senior characters learning how to get online. She's Peggy Woolley, not sure how old she's meant to be, but the actress who plays her is certainly in her 80s.

Bronnie

MY mum was only 66 when she died in 1999. She suffered from COPD and in her last few years she was extremely confined and restricted by her illness.

I always think now, how wonderful it would have been if that was today and I could help her to use a laptop. Despite being mentally sharp and active, her world had shrunk. How amazing if she could've whiled away those many long and often lonely hours with the world at her finger-tips.

savemoney

I aint young in late 40's and I been into computers since 1981. Mind you I aint into mobiles I hate the damn things so annoying. I also got one of the first mp3 player in 1999 long before ipod

I am tech savvy though if that helps only thing with age is I am far less tolerant when things go wrong

chesky369

The BBC is running a series of adverts on BBC1 to try to get older people involved in computer use - I think the idea is that they can log on if they have a computer. Most over 60s have the luxury of time to get involved unlike those rushing off to work. Mind you, I still have problems with my new mobile phone which seems to have things I have absolutely no idea how to do - what the hell is w'n'w for heaven's sake?