LiveLongAgeWell

There’s a good chance many of you will be traveling and spending time with relatives during the coming days, giving you a great opportunity to make a last minute gift. It’s something inexpensive, valuable, and doesn’t even require shopping.

I was inspired by several recent reports showing that computer use by middle-aged and older people—either for general web searching or strategic video games—is good for the brain. It only makes sense, and hence the booming industry devoted to computer games and programs for baby boomers (and older) to keep brains young and flexible.

Think for a moment of those older folks you know who are truly computer-proficient. Most likely they also have active, flexible, competent minds and attitudes.

I’m not suggesting you buy some anti-aging brain program. Rather, for your relatives who already have a computer but don’t know its potential, show them how to really use it. Plenty of adults own computers, but their competence level is stuck at email. Maybe they manage some basic (aol usually) navigation, but using it as the wonderful people-connecting, information gathering, brain-expanding tool that it is, doesn’t happen. They may lack computer savviness, but often it’s a lack of confidence; some even think they might break something.

Now since you, dear blog reader, likely have a decent command of computers, I suggest the gift of your knowledge and time. Gift wrap a small card granting a couple hours of your undivided attention as computer tutor. Set a time and do it. Collect your patience, sit with them preferably at their own computer, and have them first demonstrate what they can do. Then, again patiently, help them expand.

Find topics that interest them and see that they can search and bookmark (you might bookmark LiveLongAgeWell, which has plenty of interesting, safe links on the sidebar). Or show them how to find recipes, or poetry, or sport scores, or shop, or pay bills. Demonstrate that many books can be found online, free.

Check their software versions and anti-virus software, and see they know how to update. Since there are online financial predators, check their firewalls. Teach them how to stay safe, not to click on suspicious links, and about phishing. If they are more adventuresome, demonstrate social networking—help them connect with lost friends. There is so much to learn that this gift can be renewed for many occasions over many years…You can’t do it all at once.

Not only will all this be good for the brain, but will help them keep current and yes, younger, as computer-competence becomes ever more necessary to connect with modern life.

Imagine if print newspapers and magazines go the way of film cameras, and most reading goes online—those who are computer-comfortable will be way ahead.  And for people who become disabled or home bound, those who can navigate a computer will still have much of the world available. So consider this gift, this year. I’ve done it. It can work for you as well as for your student, and might even make the two of you closer…Next post Monday…Happy Holidays!