NO MORE EXCUSES TO REMAIN TECH-ILLITERATE

In this day and age, I am often amazed at the number of older people I meet who confess to being computer-illiterate. They tell me they regret not picking up pc-skills in their younger days, yet refuse to entertain any suggestions to learn. Their stock response: "Oh, I'm too old. Technology is for young people." They probably don't see the benefits of being tech-savvy at their age.

It's all to do with attitude and interest, and nothing to do with age. Lillian Lowe is proof of this. She turns 104 in two months, and is probably the world's oldest Facebook user. She regularly accesses her Facebook account from her grandson's iPad. She signed up only a few weeks ago to keep track of what her seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren are up to, and is now a huge fan of the social networking site.

Some of the students I teach at the open university are in their 50s and 60s. They come to my Learning Skills class with zero knowledge of pc basics. But after just one hands-on session at the computer lab, they are ready to do their research and assignments using their new pc-skills. It is that easy to learn the basics these days, unlike the 1980s when we had to learn all the DOS commands to perform simple computer functions.

Do forward the website at http://www.teachparentstech.org/ to your friends.

Google has come up with a 'TECH SUPPORT' care package that you can send to your parents (or grandparents, grandaunts and granduncles). The package consists of short videos with simple step-by-step instructions on how to perform basics e.g. how to copy and paste (a favourite with students!) and how to make text bigger (a favourite with older folks!).

There are other categories as well, including how to access the world wide web and use online communication tools for social networking. I discovered this technical care package on Eldergadget, a must-visit website if you are interested in elder-friendly gadgets and gizmos. Or if you are looking for the top 10 pick of Christmas gifts for your friends.

No more excuses to remain pc-illiterate. And welcome to a whole new world of knowledge, fun-learning and social networking.

INNOVATIVE IDEAS

Necessity may be the mother of invention, but in the case of retirees with loads of time on their hands and ideas in their head it can result in some truly innovative products like these below. With the right marketing, your product can rake in millions for you.

(Note: These pictures were forwarded to me. I have no clue who designed the products, or where these products might be available.)

WHEEL-MOVING BENCH - Whether you want to sit in the sun or in the shade, near the river or under the tree... now you have your movable bench, to sit wherever you like.

TOILET SEAT LIFTER - 'Who left the Toilet Seat up?' The PeaceMaker will end the battle of the toilet seat. Merely step on the pedal to activate the lifting mechanism. When finished, remove your foot from the pedal and the seat gently comes to a rest where it started.

LASER SCISSORS - Laser ScissorsCutting a straight line has never been easier. Just aim the pin-point laser and follow the line. The scissor blades are stainless steel and cut very clean with a micro-serrated edge.

DAYCLOCK - What day is today? You don't know? Then you need a DayClock. It's uniquely designed to keep track of weekly events like your golf day, card night, movie night, and so much more. It's ideal for vacations and cruises when it's easy to lose track of the day.

GIANT REMOTE - Never lose your remote again! With giant buttons, this extra-large remote is easy to use and impossible to lose. It's a 6-in-1 remote so you can use it to control your TV, VCR, DVD player, satellite, cable and auxiliary A/V device. It even features glow-in-the-dark buttons, so you can easily find the remote in the dark.

BUTTER CUTTER - One Click Butter Cutter controls your portion as an important part of staying healthy. This ingenious butter cutter delivers one standard pat with each click of the handle.



TRANSPARENT TOASTER - You love toast, but you always burn it? Then this invention is for you. This transparent toaster allows you to see the bread while it is toasting so you just have to take it out when the colour is right. This idea is based on a transparent heating glass technology.

If you are looking to buy a gift for yourself or someone in the older age group, do check out eldergadget.com. The website provides information and recommendations on the latest gadgets available for older adults.