How do you teach an elderly person how to use a computer?

Answer 1

The very first thing you want to do is teach them how to write crib notes on a note pad and keep it right beside the computer.

EDIT:
Billybob has the right general idea... and someone else suggested classes but then you would miss the expierence of watching "them see the light" then go ahead on their own.

The next thing to do is stock up on patience then go slow... Boot... point and click... sol and after they master the mouse do one program at a time. Go slow, let them work at their own speed but push them to practice if they are able. Oh yea, be ready for that epiphany moment... That's what makes teaching seniors worth the time.

Answer 2

I started using computers in 1975 and was a network admin using Unix systems since 1983. Learned DOS in 1989, VMS in 1994 and Windows in 1995.
I have done tech support in Unix, VMS, DOS and Windows and SQL so it irks me when I apply for jobs and just because I am an older women it is assumed I probably don't know anything about computers. My guess is seniors know just as much as they want to know about computers they have been around since we were young.
My mom is 81 and got her first home computer 25 years ago, I gave her a new monitor yesterday for her 81st birthday, we put it where her old one was and got rid of the old one and boxes when she wasn't home and it was the first thing she saw when she got home, she said did I leave that on then noticed it was bigger and new. She knows everything she needs to know to play casino games on the computer and can install software and set up a new computer.
I was surprised when I gave her a computer putting it in her car trunk and the next day she was using it figured out what wires went where.
When she got her first mouse she had trouble learning to double click but learned it in a few tries.
Seniors are smart they don't need any special training.

Answer 3

I'm (I guess) elderly and I've used a computer since 1984. Start at the beginning, master skills, move on, and keep notes or a cheat sheet until the task is burned into memory -- the same way you teach any new skill.

Answer 4

Don't know. I am an elderly person teaching teenagers how to use computers; and, believe me, they have a lot to learn.

Answer 5

Once they get over the shock of turning it on and it doesn't blow up and like someone said , show them how to play solitaire and how to get past the start button. Learning to use the mouse was the first hurdle for me to get over . The keyboard is the easy part because most of us took typing in highschool and it doesn't take long for for fingers to start flying again. My husband worked on computers at Chrysler and AMC before that and he could troubleshoot and fix computers but not teach how to use one. Almost everything I've learned, I've done it myself by trial and error. Others here will attest to the fact that since I've learned how to copy and paste, I do it every chance I get, because I can! It opens you up to a world and people that was never possible when we were young so better late than never, I always say.

Answer 6

You have to have lots of patience to teach an older person the computer. There might be a class that they can take to learn how to use a computer for elderly people.

Answer 7

A few years back, my son wanted me tohave a computer, but Ididnt want one. I kept telling him that I know nothing about it. He has his own computer business and one night he came to my house and set it all up for me. I was totally lost. He showed me the basics, thats it. Have fun, Mom, he said. Well, this got to be my new toy. I learned alot on my own, and if I had a question about something, I;d just call him. Ive grown to love this thing and am on it all the time. And yes, my 13 year old grand daughter showed me alot of stuff that I didnt know how to do. She knows sooo much more than I do, the kids learn alot in school. Now, this 'puter is one of my best friends!!! LOL

Answer 8

Same way as you teach a young person; there is no difference. I am 55 years old and have just picked up how to use a computer, by asking questions and practising. i think it is really sad that computer use is largely passing older people by.

Answer 9

I was 63 when I bought my 1st computer! I figured things out for myself - - - with a little help from my friends. It is really not that complicated. But granted there is still a lot of stuff I do not know how to do - but eventually I'll figure it out - am 66 now so have another 34 years to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 10

You teach an older person the same way you teach anyone else, with patience, trial, and error. My seventy-five year old friend received one for her birthday. Her son showed her how to get on line and play poker. Two months later I got mine. (age sixty-two) She showed me what she had learned and then we were showing each other. She's had hers for a year, mine for ten months and we are doing fine. Of course we are still learning new and different things and sharing.