Keeping up with Technology when You're Over 50 London
As we age, keeping abreast of new technological developments becomes increasingly important for our ability to function at many different levels. Basic IT skills include using the internet, emails, social networking, and mobile communication, all of which can have great benefits for those over 50s who are prepared to keep their interest and skills up to date.
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Keeping up with Technology when You're Over 50
Sometimes it seems that technology is developing faster than our ability to keep pace with it. But this doesn’t mean that those of us in our fifties, sixties and even older shouldn’t try to.
Regardless of our intrinsic level of interest in things technical, we must keep up sufficiently with new developments in order to be able to function – both now and in the future. If we don’t, we’ll be lost.
As with many aspects of ageing, there’s a huge spectrum of opinion relating to older people’s use of technology, with some saying that older people are lagging behind, and others maintaining, for example, that ‘silver surfers’ are the fastest growing group of regular internet users.
One of the most common stereotypical accusations aimed at the over 50s is that we’re ‘resistant to change’. There’s no doubt for some, this is true. But anyone who is not prepared to keep pace with technological change today faces a worrying future in terms of their ability to cope as they grow older.
It’s almost certain that finance, retailing, and a whole range of other services will become almost entirely technologically based, so a basic knowledge of IT communication will be essential for even the simplest tasks.
Already those who are IT enabled can make significant savings in many areas over those who are not, and benefits in this area are only likely to increase.
Getting - and keeping – up to speed
Most of us will have gained our existing knowledge about technology either from the workplace or from our children, both of which are great sources of ongoing input.
But building on this knowledge and keeping up to date, particularly with such aspects as mobile technology and social networking, means you have to be willing to admit you don’t know about these things, and not being too proud or stubborn to ask for help.
We all have to learn new things sometime and there’s no shame in not knowing. So, whatever you do, don’t adopt an ‘ostrich’ approach and resist or ignore technology for so long that your ignorance becomes a major embarrassment for you.
The best strategy is to throw your hat into the ring fairly early on when you begin to read about, notice or see/hear about some form of new technology. That’s the best time to openly ask questions like ‘What is that?’, ‘How does it work?’, ‘What are the benefits?’ and ‘Can I have a go?’
Whatever you do, particularly at work, don’t hide behind the excuse of someone else (your secretary, assistant or an IT manager) doing it for you. You’ll be left floundering and look pathetic come the day when you DO have to do it for yourself.
If it seems like something you are going to need to get on top of - think back to mobile phones and email - ask someone to show you how, and write down some basic instructions. Above and beyond this you might want to see if there are any basic courses available to increase your knowledge. Of course, the internet itself is a great source of information, and this aside, libraries can also be very helpful in pointing you in the right direction.
These days everyone needs to be technologically literate so government and other bodies are putting a considerable amount of resource into ensuring this happens.
If you yourself are on top of technology it may be that you have elderly parents, relatives, neighbours or friends who are not but who would appreciate and benefit from your assistance if you were to offer it. Many of us as we age often feel too proud to ask. Fortunately most of us are never too old to learn.
Click here to read more helpful advice for the over 50s
Regardless of our intrinsic level of interest in things technical, we must keep up sufficiently with new developments in order to be able to function – both now and in the future. If we don’t, we’ll be lost.
As with many aspects of ageing, there’s a huge spectrum of opinion relating to older people’s use of technology, with some saying that older people are lagging behind, and others maintaining, for example, that ‘silver surfers’ are the fastest growing group of regular internet users.
One of the most common stereotypical accusations aimed at the over 50s is that we’re ‘resistant to change’. There’s no doubt for some, this is true. But anyone who is not prepared to keep pace with technological change today faces a worrying future in terms of their ability to cope as they grow older.
It’s almost certain that finance, retailing, and a whole range of other services will become almost entirely technologically based, so a basic knowledge of IT communication will be essential for even the simplest tasks.
Already those who are IT enabled can make significant savings in many areas over those who are not, and benefits in this area are only likely to increase.
Getting - and keeping – up to speed
Most of us will have gained our existing knowledge about technology either from the workplace or from our children, both of which are great sources of ongoing input.
But building on this knowledge and keeping up to date, particularly with such aspects as mobile technology and social networking, means you have to be willing to admit you don’t know about these things, and not being too proud or stubborn to ask for help.
We all have to learn new things sometime and there’s no shame in not knowing. So, whatever you do, don’t adopt an ‘ostrich’ approach and resist or ignore technology for so long that your ignorance becomes a major embarrassment for you.
The best strategy is to throw your hat into the ring fairly early on when you begin to read about, notice or see/hear about some form of new technology. That’s the best time to openly ask questions like ‘What is that?’, ‘How does it work?’, ‘What are the benefits?’ and ‘Can I have a go?’
Whatever you do, particularly at work, don’t hide behind the excuse of someone else (your secretary, assistant or an IT manager) doing it for you. You’ll be left floundering and look pathetic come the day when you DO have to do it for yourself.
If it seems like something you are going to need to get on top of - think back to mobile phones and email - ask someone to show you how, and write down some basic instructions. Above and beyond this you might want to see if there are any basic courses available to increase your knowledge. Of course, the internet itself is a great source of information, and this aside, libraries can also be very helpful in pointing you in the right direction.
These days everyone needs to be technologically literate so government and other bodies are putting a considerable amount of resource into ensuring this happens.
If you yourself are on top of technology it may be that you have elderly parents, relatives, neighbours or friends who are not but who would appreciate and benefit from your assistance if you were to offer it. Many of us as we age often feel too proud to ask. Fortunately most of us are never too old to learn.
Click here to read more helpful advice for the over 50s