Have you ever taught your granny to use the computer? And when you instruct “click on the mouse,” she’s literally looking for a mouse? Be patient, grandma needs your help so that she can browse through help tutorials herself.

It’s never too late to learn technology

It is never too late. Even in old age, women and men can still familiarize themselves with smartphones, computers, and the Internet in special courses. This brings many advantages in everyday life.

“I’m too old for that.” That’s what many people think who didn’t grow up with the internet. Smartphones, tablets, Skype and WhatsApp – some older people don’t think they need all of this. Others are afraid that they wouldn’t understand how it works anyway.

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Granny has to learn the virtual world

“Those who close themselves off to the virtual world will have disadvantages.”

For example, some banks are now charging for handwritten transfers. Transferring money from your home computer is not only more convenient, but also cheaper. The same applies to letters. While Swiss Post is constantly increasing postage, sending an e-mail is still free – and also much faster.

It’s even nicer to stay in touch with children, grandchildren and friends around the world via video telephony. So you not only hear each other, you also see each other.

“The Internet can be a window to the world, especially when physical mobility decreases with age,”

Fear of cybercrime

Many older people are afraid of becoming a victim of cybercrime. You can do something about this: An anti-virus program that is installed on the home computer normally prevents criminals from injecting harmful viruses into the computer.

Before purchasing a PC, seniors should seek advice from a club or association that deals with seniors and computers. The choice of devices is huge.

When looking for a suitable club or association, older people can be helped by those who already have Internet access: If you enter the search terms seniors and computer in your home town on the Internet, you will quickly find what you are looking for. As a rule, the clubs not only advise with regard to the purchase of equipment, but also offer computer courses.

Seniors learn differently than younger people

When choosing a course, the decisive factor is how much the interested party already knows. There are offers for people who have little or no PC knowledge. Special courses on image processing, online banking or the design of video films are available for advanced learners.

Other courses deal with using Facebook, WhatsApp and video telephony. Seniors learn best in the smallest possible group of peers – under the guidance of teachers who are familiar with how older people learn. After all, seniors learn differently than younger people.

In principle, people are capable of learning into old age. However, in order to reliably anchor in long-term memory how to send a message via WhatsApp or log in to online banking, the process has to be repeated more frequently than with younger people.

Smartphones make sense for older people

In addition to a computer or tablet, it also makes sense for older people to buy a smartphone. Interested parties can also take a course to learn what such a device can do and how best to use it.

A smartphone should definitely have an emergency call function and GPS location. This offers security when out and about – for example, if you sprained your ankle while hiking in the woods and need help.

Experts see the acquisition of media competence “in a way as a provision for old age “. Because one day it may be difficult for one to leave the house because of age. The internet allows seniors to get in touch with friends and relatives and thus being alone at home is not scary at all. Seniors can still go shopping through the internet so that they don’t have to step out of the house unattended.