seniors and computers?

In Indiana, Unemployment Insurance is handled almost exclusively online.

Daily, I hear "I'm too old to learn computers" "I let my (relative, friend) do it for me because I don't know how to use a computer".

My response (in more appropriate PC language, tho) is Bull Feces!

Indiana UI offers free computer classes (fulll MicroSoft Office Suite classes). They also provide help at the WorkOne Centers if someone just wants limited assistance in setting up a claim or learning how to file a voucher.

Within another 1-2 years, you may not even be able to get a paper voucher anymore so learning this skill is imperative. This may be what it takes to push them into mild computer literacy.

No one likes change but too bad! Change is a part of life and without change, death is the result.

That's what it might take to get some of these people motivated.

EDIT: btw, I'm a senior and I had to learn to use computer systems or not have a job

I don't know what advice to give you about how to politely tell them they are taking up too much of your time. But I can tell you why they don't want to have anything to do with computers themselves. Because I am one of them. I put off getting a computer for as long as possible because I had a hunch that getting one would wreck my life. And it has.

1) Computers are so unnecessarily complicated that just learning the basic procedures will consume an enormous amount of your time.

2) Many people are stuck with "dial up" connections--in which case the computer is so slow that doing a few simple chores like checking prices of some items at a store and reading your e-mail can consume the better part of an entire day.

3) Your computer will become obsolete almost as soon as you get used to using it. And then you will have to invest not only more money, but even more time un-learning old routines and learning the new ones.

4) Computers are horribly unreliable. And when your privacy is destroyed or your bank records get stolen or your most important documents or photos or anything else of value suddenly disappears because of a "glitch," there will probably be little or nothing that you can do about it. Even if you have only a small technical problem, you can easily wind up paying even more than the computer is worth to have a good technician fix it, or you can be subjected to the nightmare of having to deal with free "tech support" people working in third-world sweat-shops who don't speak English well and who know nothing. You can lose your health and your sanity trying to get useful help in that way.

5) Computers will seduce you into voluntarily wasting an enormous amount of your life by offering you a cornucopia of junk entertainment, usually in the form of either pornography or social chit-chat, neither of which is really a very good investment of your time.

Many people young and old don't particularly like change.

Also I find that modern day 'gadgets' tend to phase some where others take to them quite naturally.

Me personally I take my time learning about all the technological details before I start.

That's probably why I'm just coming out of the steam driven era.

I've just about mastered the DVD and slowly getting it together with the computer(well I haven't accidentally launched anything yet).

Hopefully in time I will be able to get to grips with my 'new fangled' camcorder.

Still at least I'm giving it a go which I think was roughly the point you were making.

First, I think it's very nice that you've been helping.

However, if you stop, they may take that plunge and learn for themselves. After all, why should they learn if someone will always do it for them.

If you want to continue to help, tell them there is a fee, for paper, your time, etc. Who knows the that might spur them on to learn.

Since it is becoming a pain in the butt for you, you could always make an excuse. You are out of paper, computer is on the fritz, you were on your way out, you have to cook, walk the dog, go to the barber, etc. The message will sink in.

First off, let me say, I am not a senior. You've probably got 20 plus on me. But, I can understand Somewhat why in my experiences. Most grew up in a different time, when things were calmer, safer not go go go. Some don't want to fix something that in their mind isn't broken. Technology can be very confusing. I know myself, I could live without all these things, the noise, the lights, it can be overwhelming to some. I have many friends that play video games, and other things on-line, I just find them confusing, and very annoying it's almost to much to fast. Now, if your doing these things for them, maybe start explaining what it's costing you, and most will probably pay for your services.

My pet theory is that some seniors expect a computer to operate like a television. You turn it on, you change the channel, you turn it off.

And we all know, computers do not operate that way.

Another theory is that some seniors think that making a mistake is terrible & to be avoided. We all know that with computers there is always more than one way to do something, and on a computer that making mistakes is actually good, because it's a learning experience.

Sometimes they have vision problems and can't see the screen very well. Or they are afraid they will forget how to do something and somehow ruin the computer. Plus, they hear all the scare stories on the news about how people are being ripped off etc. over the internet. Or what if something goes wrong, it crashes, and they don't know how to fix it. Their fears are totally understandable, given the various issues one hears about.

When I was an engineering student in 1957, I first had only log tables, then came the slide rule. When I started teaching engineering we had mechanical manual calculators, later motorised mechanical ones. Later we had primitive punched card machines programmed in machine language. Then four bit machines, followed by 8 and 16 bit ones. Finally the IBM PC.

I now use an all in one desk top.

fear of looking stupid.pride.fear they wont master a new subject and look even stupider.i have 2 degrees,i'm not even a senior citizen,i'm a "junior senior" (51),but the other day i had to ask a teenager what was wrong with my cellphone.it took them a millisecond to fix it.i felt like an idiot.no one wants to feel that way.

Learn to say no. . .sure wish I could help but I have to. . . .and then leave. I don't know anyone that I consider an senior that doesn't use a computer. . .how quaint.