Skip to main content

Seniors Using Computers

At my retirement community, there are lots of independent living residents who have their own personal computers. We also have a media center in each community that has computers and printers in it for residents without a computer at home, or family members to use. They are connected to the internet. I love watching family members come for a visit and take a resident who is computer challenged into the center to view their FaceBook page or teach them how to e-mail so that they can stay in touch with one another better!
We have a wonderful, resident run computer club where the club members teach one another, and sometimes have guest instructors come in to give a lesson or two. Our information technology man has been very involved with getting them set up and giving classes to them also.
We have also had special guest lectures come to the community and offer talks about FaceBook, Twitter, and Skype. They are very well attended.
Here are some books that might help you if you are the one that will start a class or to give to a resident who might volunteer to lead a group for your community.
While searching the Internet for articles of interest and inspiration to share on this blog, I found this story to share with you. No matter how you get your community hooked up, it is without a doubt the way of the future as the new generation of residents come to our community.
Labels:

Comments

  1. SandyApril 9, 2011 at 8:24 AM

    Very nice idea, teaching seniors to use computers and the value of the internet. As an advocate for the elderly with Alzheimer's and Dementia, I enjoy seeing someone encourage others to stay active as they age.

    Exercises such as this, along with puzzles and word games may delay both Alzheimer's and Dementia.

    Great idea!
    Sandy

    ReplyDelete
  2. Recharging RetireesApril 9, 2011 at 10:16 AM

    Thanks for your comments. You've given me food for thought.

    I know that I could do a better job at brain games with my group. It is just hard to do it without them feeling like they are being treated childish. They do play Scattergories on a regular basis and we have a puzzle in the lobby for anyone to work on when they want.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

3 Styles of Scavenger Hunts

Boy is it hot outside! If you are like me you may still be looking for indoor activities that are fun for your residents to do. This activity that I will share with you can be done for different levels of care in your retirement community. I encourage you to share it with the other activity professionals that work in those other areas within your own community. The activity is the Scavenge Hunt. This can be done in three different ways and I will describe them below: 1)       The Stay Seated Scavenger Hunt v   Ask audience to bring in items they think will be asked for. Encourage them to fill their purses, pockets, bags, etc. and bring it to the event v   Make a list of items that they could bring with them v   Include items that would be funny, that might have a story to go with them, or that people would be surprised someone would actually have. (Green Stamps anyone?) v   See the list I used v   Cut the list into pieces and place them into a basket v   Ask
2 comments
Read more

Super Bowl Party for Seniors

It is almost here! The 46th Super Bowl game will be held on Sunday, February 5 in Indinapolis. Each year, residents in my retirement community want to have a viewing party for the big game. I believe that it is a fun program to make an activity out of, but not something that I must do every year. Mostly, I don't have this each year because there are not to many ways to change it up, so I don't want to have it become boring. (This is where your ideas would be great to hear!!) This year, we are going to have a party and I'd like to share with you the plans for the evening. Residents are now signing up for the program which is set to start at 6:00 p.m.  This time is perfect in my community because we still serve dinner at noon on Sundays and the residents usually like to attend for the food, if for no other reason. (I do charge them a fee for the food.) We will have the game showing on our big screen tv in the auditorium and tables and chairs set up for the residents to eat
2 comments
Read more

4 Pictures 1 Word Game for the Big Screen

Many of you who have played 4 Pictures 1 Word , know that this brain game is available as an app for your computer, tablet or phone for free. That is great, bu it does not allow a team to play and is not audience friendly if you wanted to present it at your retirement community (or other social gathering).  After some time and effort, I made a 4 Pictures and 1 Word game  slide show that you can use in your community. I did use the app for suggestions and the Internet for the pictures. I am glad to share this with you so that you will not have to spend the hours that I did in creating this game. If you get the urge to make one also, please come back to this blog page and share it.  I played this last week with a group of about 25 independent living residents.We did not get through all of the slides due to time constraints..... but I was glad I did not run out of slides in my hour that I had their attention. I will be playing this with them again... and would love to have other
Post a Comment
Read more