Seniors & Computers: 6 Steps to Getting Grandma Online

The Internet can be an intimidating place for Seniors. Many of them have decided they can do just fine without it, and would prefer to let the younger generation to keep their technology for themselves. Some even insist that the older way of life was better without all of the so called “advancements.” But there are real benefits for seniors online. Some studies have shown depression rates to be significantly lower for them, and it’s easy to see why. They can “get out” see family, talk to friends, and shop for the things they need without being hampered by fatigue and limited mobility. If any one group can benefit most from the internet, it might just be senior citizens!

Senior computing is on the rise, but many still reject it despite the endless appeals of their younger family members. Sometimes, the problem is in the appeal itself. The younger crowd often highlights the benefits that they themselves enjoy; things like online video streaming and shopping. But to the elder generation, these benefits are less important on the forefront. What is important to the Greatest Generation? Relationships. Family. Especially Grandchildren!

With that in mind, here’s a sure-fire, step-by-step guide to finally getting Grandma to log on.

1. Get her a computer.

Obviously. She might already have one collecting dust, or maybe you do. It doesn’t have to be state-of-the-art, but it needs to have basic functionality for handling high speed traffic. A USB 2.0 port is a must.

2. Get her signed on with a high-speed internet service.

Cable and DSL service has come down in price, and wireless Broadband is becoming increasingly popular. For her purposes, even a 1.5 MBPS speed will likely be sufficient. If she’s going to video conference, it would be safer to go higher, just in case. Dial-up is not going to help very much.

3. Create Accounts for Her.

You do this all the time for yourself, so do it for her. Start with a real simple email account. Gmail is a nice option, because their interface is nice and clean. Then, get her signed on with whatever picture sharing sites the rest of the family uses, like Snapfish, Photobucket, or Flikr. If nobody uses these, chances are they use Facebook. So get her signed up there. Don’t worry about features. What’s important is that she’s using the same thing they are using. Next, move on to Skype. This is contingent, of course, on whether the rest of the family ever does video conferencing. If they do, get her a USB 2.0 webcam, hook it up, and open a Skype account (or a similar service, like iChat for Mac users. Again, the important thing is that she’s using what the rest of the family is using.) For all of these, save the settings so that her username and password (use the same one every time, if possible) will automatically be entered every time she goes to the site.

4. Simplify Everything.

Clean up the desktop. Make the icons big. Her eyes aren’t so good anymore. Re-label her web browser “INTERNET,” and her Skype or iChat icon “Video Phone.” Un-install any unnecessary toolbars on the browser window, and instead put some personalized bookmarks up there, just for her. Label her Shutterfly bookmark “Grand-baby Pictures.” Label her email account not as “Yahoo Mail” but just “E-Mail.” You can include other helpful ones as well, such as “Weather,” “Old Friends,” etc, which she might want to explore later on.

5. Coordinate with the family.

Have someone send her an email ahead of time, welcoming her to the 21st century. Make sure there are new pictures up on the family site–ones Grandma has never seen before. Have them accept her Friend Request on Skype beforehand, and see if they can be online at the same time you will be.

6. Show her how.

Invite her to sit in front of the keyboard, and you sit next to her. Let her take the mouse. Be patient with her. Have her click on the “INTERNET” icon. Let her click on “Email,” and read the note that was already waiting for her. Have her click “Grand-baby” Pictures and comment about how quickly and easily they come up. Finally, have her open up Skype and say hi to her grandchildren, face to face.

If you can do all of this, she’s well on her way. Remember to go slow. If you do well, she will get more comfortable in the digital world and in time, she’ll learn to navigate for herself. That can only be good news.