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Aging, technology, and ministry
By Rosie Perera | April 19, 2008 at 3:34 am
Even though today’s seniors are more tech savvy than ever before, as people get older, their ability to deal with complex technology often declines. I sometimes wonder how those of us who are totally dependent on our computers and/or PDAs for everything will handle it when we start getting confused and forgetting passwords, having difficulty seeing and typing, etc.
Tech companies are beginning to realize that there’s a market opportunity hiding beneath these concerns. A recent article in the New York Times titled “At a Certain Age, Simplicity Sells in High-Tech Gadgets” (April 12, 2008) talks about some specific technologies aimed at older people, for example, the Jitterbug phone, with brighter, larger text and bigger buttons. There are also software products such as screen readers and password managers that can help with some of the problems associated with aging.
My father (age 74) recently called me with computer virus trouble. I wasn’t able to help him over the phone. He needs someone local to be his computer guru. There is a huge need for people who can help seniors with their computer troubles; a great ministry opportunity.
I once considered a business proposal that a friend of mine had come up with to start a computer tech support company that would contract out its services to nursing homes and retirement complexes. It would do everything from installing software and setting up networks to teaching residents how to email their grandchildren. But I realized I didn’t want to run a business. (There are already several companies doing precisely that kind of work. See, for example, ElderTech and SeniorTech.) I prefer to just do it on a voluntary basis. I have experienced great satisfaction helping seniors one-on-one with their computer issues. The things they need to do are usually relatively simple, and the gratitude is immense.
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