Seniors Tackling Technology: The successes and challenges of online life

You just get a handle on Twitter or texting (and the lingo that goes with it, LOL) when it changes again. The younger set is on top of it almost immediately when technology changes, but how about the senior population? Picking up a new skill isn’t quite as easy as we age, whether it’s basic computer skills, FaceTime, texting or taking pictures on a smart phone. And the nature of rapidly changing technology means that as soon as we master one program or device, it’s time to upgrade and learn all over again.

For seniors, it’s not just a matter of being able to talk to the grandkids—to ‘speak their language’—it’s almost a necessity of the modern age. While it’s possible to stick with a land-line phone and a computer-free household, many find themselves feeling left behind—out of touch with what friends and family are up to if they don’t get on board.

Teaching Tech

Computer technology programs are high on the most-requested list for libraries, continuing education organizations and senior’s centres. And it’s gone beyond figuring out how to use a mouse or Google. Today’s adults and seniors want tutorials on Windows 10, coding and using Excel spreadsheets, along with social media know-how—Skype, email and uploading photos from iPhones and iPads.

Janice Chung, Special Services Librarian at St. Albert Public Library (SAPL) says seniors (who make up a large percentage of program users) are mostly up to speed on the basics, and are now interested in how to sign on to Instagram, Facebook or make the best use of their tablets.

“We see adults with small businesses, seniors wanting to stay in touch with family via emails
and text, and—whenever there’s a new computer program on the market—every age that wants to get up to speed,” says Chung. “We saw it with eBooks, and now it’s FaceTime and tablets. We’re always expanding the offerings.”

With a Little Help From Our Friends

It’s the same at the St. Albert Seniors Association (formerly the St. Albert 50-plus Club), where members look forward to twice-monthly visits from a WD Cuts Junior High grade 9 leadership class. The group of teens provide a casual, one-on-one opportunity to sort out texting issues or—most commonly—how to take and send a photo from smart phones, or how to attach a picture to an email.

“Seniors are more tech-savvy than people realize. They may only want to read emails or save a photo attachment from a loved one, but they also understand that it’s the way to communicate with the grandchildren,” says Tara Burnett, senior’s services supervisor for the St. Albert Seniors Association. “Kids may not want to talk to Grandpa on the phone, but they’ll answer his text message.”

Burnett says the association’s weekly emails and newsletters reach up to 90 percent of the 900-plus membership—proof to her that there is abundant interest and know-how in that population. The group’s Seniors’ Outreach
Program further provides information on technology-related issues as warranted, including regular talks from the RCMP on the latest frauds and online scams, as well as tips on how not to fall prey to the growing issue for tech users.

Seniors & Social Media

Eighty-one-year-old Noel Constantin says he’s glad he took a computer course at a seniors’ centre 20 years ago because it’s made him comfortable to email and Skype with his kids and grandkids when they’re away at a vacation home in Mexico.

“But I’m leery of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and I don’t shop online,” he says. “And it’s understood that at our place, there’s no devices at the dining table.”

Constantin’s wife Rose Marie, 79, takes it a step further, using a desktop computer at home and an eReader on trips. “I research and have booked trips online, but I’m old-fashioned. I still feel safer talking to a real person,” she says. Constantin credits the seniors’ centre and her condo management for providing alerts on the latest online scams, giving her the tools she needed when the same scam attacked her computer.

“A screen alert popped up saying ‘Your computer is at risk—call with credit card.’ I said, ‘I’m not having that’ and took the hard drive to Staples for a new one. That was that,” she says.

Online Scams & Security Concerns

Empowering seniors to take charge of their own privacy and security is the aim of St. Albert RCMP’s educational efforts, though it’s a problem not restricted to the older population. RCMP Constable Yelena Avoine says there’s a steady increase in online scams, including the now-prevalent tax scam and romance scams. Because seniors can be isolated, she says, they may be more susceptible to these types of crimes.

“There can be a lot of time and money invested, and then there’s shame. People are afraid to admit they’ve been taken,” says Avoine, pointing to data from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre that shows 748 victims lost over $17 million to scammers pretending to be in love in 2016. In these cases, scammers create fake online profiles on dating websites and social media and attempt to gain their victim’s affection and trust.

“We are committed to reduce these incidents against seniors, so we work with partners in the community and at events like the Seniors Expo—information-sharing is key to preventing these crimes,” adds Avoine.

Despite the challenges facing older tech users, there’s no turning back. Convenient devices that keep people connected with loved ones are some of the key pluses that drive the use of technology at every age. And educators, consumer agencies and police continue to work to empower users with tools they need to deal with challenges as they arise. t8n

Free Programs at SAPL

Most programs at SAPL are free to any St. Albert resident with a library card. Thanks to Canada 150 celebrations, library memberships are free throughout 2017. Special Services Librarian Janice Chung says that’s even more incentive to learn or upgrade a skill. Whether it’s getting on (or off) Facebook, or understanding issues of privacy and security, Chung says all library programs focus on the basics and take a how-to-get-started approach.

Consumer Watchdogs at Your Service

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (www.antifraudcentre.ca) offers tips to avoid falling prey to scams, old and new. These include knowing that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) does not ask for personal information through email or text message and also won’t request payment by prepaid credit cards or iTunes gift cards. When in doubt regarding income tax queries, the anti-fraud centre advises contacting the CRA directly at 1-800-959-8281.