I am proud that I solved two perplexing tech problems yesterday that had been bothering me for a while. Some people over sixty either give up on technology and refuse to do more than email - if that. I understand. Tech problems are mind boggling since our brains were not raised during the computer generation. We have to translate everything into what we do understand, and even then, we are never quite fluent in computerese.
Yet technology has great potential for the elderly in keeping their brains active and preventing isolation. In the next twenty years or so, technology will also overcome some of the handicaps of the elderly such as the wonderful new app on iphones that enhances hearing aids.
I willingly devote hours a week to getting better at tech. I learn new tools such as googling my questions and getting lots of nerd websites that will happily assist me in such issues as “how to I get my songs from my computer to my phone?” Whenever I am around a young person I ask them to teach me ONE, only one, new trick about how to use my phone. Setting alarms and reminders is great for keeping me from missing important appointments and meeting deadlines.
As a creative tool, I cannot do without computers. With two websites and other internet personas I control what comes up on a google search of my name, to help my professional side. I use graphic tools all the time to help my painting process, such as reframing and adjusting the color of photos I took to prepare them for painting.
What I have learned is that you need great patience and creative thinking to solve those baffling tech questions. Yesterday I finally found the audiobooks I had downloaded in a file, not named audiobooks, by experimenting and poking around on the app. I also successfully transferred a book from the library to my ipad for an airplane ride by finally realizing I needed to upgrade my software. I am losing my fear of technology a bit at a time. Humility and perseverance as well and thoughtful reflection on creative approaches to a problem help. So does having kids that will answer questions if all else fails. Although I am trying not to be that stereotype old parent whose digital clocks are always flashing 12:00, or sending hilarious auto-corrected texts