Older people are migrating towards the world of technology, which enables them to be connected, be informed and have some fun. In the Grandparent`s day week, here are the testimonies to encourage others to learn no matter the age.
Last June 1st, the former President and current candidate to the Presidency Tabaré Vázquez announced the top ten points of his program in case of winning, and Uruguayans were taken aback. Point three made reference to provide each retired person a tablet.
The same thing happened when he proposed to give "one laptop per child" and created Plan Ceibal. He said people should not be condemned for being old and explained a tablet would help older people to get in touch with friends, watch movies in order to be more accompanied and beat loneliness.
Learning
In Uruguay, there are several places where older people can learn IT. According to Ricardo Alberti, the person in charge of coordinating Plan Nacional del Adulto Mayor, "the youngest among older Uruguayan adults” (between 65 and 75) are the one are closer to technology in Latin America.
There are 123 Centros MEC in the country which work as a cultural and educational area with access to technology. These facilities of the Ministry of Education include IT courses.
According to the director of Centros MEC, Roberto Elissalde, the Social Welfare Bank launched a spot in order to stimulate retired people to have access to technology. The campaign was a complete success. More than 3.000 people enrolled and new areas were opened in the capital city.
Grandparents Online
The computer is "good for the memory". You have to remember which button should be pressed. They explain you 40 times and sometimes you forget" said Tron, who has a PC and a tablet at home and says they are fantastic.
She believes it is essential for older adults to be in touch with technology since "it is speaking the same language young people speak".
According to Elissalde, from Centros MEC, at first, older people wanted to learn just for "curiosity", but they currently believe tools such as Facebook are a must. They follow their grandchildren, watch their pictures. This tools are even more used when they have relatives leaving abroad.
Cicam´s founder, Silvia Tron says "it is essential for older people to feel powerful, to feel part of what is going on in the world".
It is also a good way of communicating with the little ones. That´s why grandparents should "at least know how to have access to internet" said the Psychologist Fanny Berger, author of the book Ser abuelo hoy (Editorial Planeta). It is not about knowing programming, but just the basics, such as how to click a button to answer a call in Skype" she added. She believes grandparents should not be feeling diminished because of not knowing much about technology.
Lea la versión en español aquí.
