Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, May 21, 1995 TAG: 9505200002
SECTION: SENIOR STYLE PAGE: 6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SARAH COX
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Payne, program head for the Institute for Business Development at the community college, said "I don't know how anyone in the future is going to be able to survive without a computer.''
She went on to say that the senior citizens of today probably are the least advanced as far as being computer literate, although they are probably the ones who will benefit the most, as they can easily operate a computer from their home.
Payne's department provides microcomputer software training mainly for employees of business and industry, and, according to Payne, about one out of every 50 to 75 students is a senior.
Although they don't yet offer computer courses specifically designed for senior citizens, they have considered it. "This is a market we can target, that we haven't up until now,'' she said.
However, she said recently that they've added informational seminars on how to use the Internet, and a number of students attending were seniors. Payne said most often seniors take computer classes to garner the general, basic information - how computers work and what they can be used for.
Sometimes, her senior students have had experience at work and are retiring and want to purchase a home computer, she said. But if they're brand new to computers, they want to learn not only how to operate one, but how to make a sound buying decision.
The world of computers can open up vast possibilities, especially for seniors, although they are not as relaxed in computer classes as children. Children are used to making mistakes, and "don't think if they punch a button it will destroy the computer,'' said Payne. Seniors, on the other hand, can become a bit stressed out. But once passed the hang-ups, "there is an awakening for everyone,'' she said.
From word processing to charting financial records, from researching investments to composing and playing music, from shopping at home (in the not-so-distant future) to controlling household functions such as utilities, sprinklers and security systems, the world of computers will make life easier for seniors, especially for shut-ins.
Payne's husband, who is retired, plays bridge on his computer, and has even designed a computer-operated sprinkler system for his bonsai. In addition, Payne said she and her husband might write a cookbook on their computer.
Mary Jane Vaden, who said she's "pretty elderly,'' wanted to know about computers and took several classes through Roanoke College. She said although she enjoyed the opportunity to find out about a computer's potentials, and even went so far as to purchase a home computer, she has recently loaned it to a friend who needs it more than she does. Vaden, who will turn 85 this year, said some physical problems limited her, and she needed to cut back on her extracurricular activities.
"I live alone and take care of myself, and decided that was about all I could do,'' she said. Vaden is very interested in genealogy and used her computer primarily for that. The Roanoke College classes, she said, gave her a good idea of what the computer could do for her, as well as some basic information on how to purchase one.
Bill Kenney and his wife, Connie Baker, also took a Roanoke College computer class. He said they were completely "green" about computers, although he had a computer to help run his business, Kenney's restaurants, "but other people used it,'' he said.
"We wanted to buy a computer for the house,'' he said, and although he was prepared to go out and get one, "my wife can't buy anything unless it's completely researched.''
Once they purchase a computer, he plans to keep his taxes on it, as well as his checkbook records. "You can even get a computer that will write your checks,'' he said. Since they travel a lot, he said they might also use the computer to help with travel plans.
"I don't want to get lost in the computer age,'' he said.
Another computer education alternative for seniors is a relatively new business, The Fourth R of the Roanoke Valley, a franchise owned by Ken and Jane Thompson. The franchiser has been in business for about four years, said Thompson, who opened his franchise at the end of 1994. Thompson's background is in engineering and electronics, and he said used computers extensively in his work. When he heard about the franchise two years ago, he said he immediately recognized it as a good idea.
His classes, he said, are limited to eight people, and are divided into adult and children's classes with teachers who are best suited to the age group. He has had so many requests for senior classes that he is already in the process of designing one to offer soon.
"Seniors feel uncomfortable when they're in a class with 25-year -olds who have been exposed to computers. They don't want to be the ones who are always asking the questions,'' he said.
The reason he divides up the age groups into specific classes is so they can gear their computer application information to specific interests. With seniors, he said, he's found interest in word processing, newsletters, investments and on-line bulletin boards
. "We'll introduce certain topics and then canvas the class,'' he said. Thompson said in addition to computer -operating classes, his company also offers a two-hour seminar on how to purchase computers, and since "we don't sell computers, we can offer an unbiased opinion," he said. A senior or adult class is $125 for eight hours of instruction (four two-hour sessions). Children's classes are priced separately. The computer-buying seminar is $25.
At The Fourth R, everyone has their own IBM-compatible computer to work on, said Thompson, and they use Microsoft Works as the main integrated software since so many computers come preloaded with that already. They have CD Roms with a variety of encyclopedia titles as well as movie and other entertainment selections. They also discuss on-line opportunities.
"Teaching seniors is different,'' he said. "They're not as much in a hurry. You can take your time with them and answer their questions. They're there because they want to be, not because of a job. They want to be able to work with their grandchildren on the computer.''
The disadvantage, he said, is that at times seniors are intimidated by computers, afraid they're going to erase everything. "So we need to take time, and explain the terminology. The needs of a senior are different because they could care less about databases or spreadsheets, but they want to learn Quicken, about e-mail, and bulletin boards,'' he said.
According to Peter Balsamo, director of continuing education at Radford University, there is even a Senior Net telecommunications network especially for seniors.
Thompson says seniors shouldn't be limited by lack of computer experience. "They have the desire to learn as much as anyone else. An active mind helps keep your thought processes going."
by CNB