This week we have been talking about adapting to technology. We have seen that some oppose technology and feel we should "get back to the basics" while others embrace it. I feel that technology serves as a useful tool to stay current and keep an active mind. Adapting to technology should be viewed as a way to stay healthy. Traditionalists and technology freaks could endlessly argue about the pros and cons of our technologically involved world, however I would argue that above all, both sides should look at the health benefits of embracing technology.
For example, my grandfather, an almost 90-year-old man has not kept current with the booming technology era. He is not a stubborn man, but when presented with new bits of technology over the years, he has stayed narrow minded and not embraced it. Now, over a decade after email became popular, he still has yet to turn on a computer. He also is experiencing dementia and has no true grasp of what is going on anymore. I would argue, that had he kept his mind active and learned to use features such as navigation, the Internet, and cell phones, he could still be more with us today. He has been retired for over 25 years and has not kept an active mind. My grandfather on my other side however, who is the same age owns an up to date computer and is showing no signs of dementia. I am no scientist, nor have I conducted research on this issue I am however a strong believer that technology should be viewed as something that needs to be utilized to keep a mind active and stay young above all.
Do you guys have any experiences with the technologically equipped elderly staying sharp and living long?
Print len(python) from datetime import datetime
9 years ago
This is a very interesting thought, but I have to disagree with you here. By my personal experiences, things like your career path, for example, have a far greater impact on someone staying young in mind and at heart. People never believe me when I tell them that my mom is 60. When I ask people they usually guess that she is in her late 40's. I think this has a lot to do with the fact that she has been a teacher for 30 years. I think it is her students that have kept her looking and feeling young. And she is absolutely lost when it comes to technology, she still hasn't figured out the VCR. :)
ReplyDeletethey actually did a study on this!
ReplyDeletehttp://trainingshues.com/2009/01/30/264/#more-264
I recognize valid points from both Jennifer and Christina. As the article that trainingshues.com linked us to points out, the use of the internet (and ostensibly other technology) has a positive effect for seniors; so, I think that it is a plausible theory for Jennifer to propose that her "tuned in" grandmother probably has benefited from her use of technology. Also, as Christina pointed out, technology is not so much the key as much as stimulation and exercise of the mind. My Grandparents have managed to maintain their mental acuity in many non-technical ways. My Grandmother is an avid reader and my Grandfather spends most of his free time doing volunteer work for the local food pantry. Once a week he spends two hours (total trip) on the road to bring food from a distribution center in Omro, WI to Paul's Pantry in Green Bay, WI. They both avoided new technology since the 1980s. However, they are in their late 80s and it is getting more difficult for the both of them to continue their current lifestyles. Recently, I did manage to convince them to accept a cell phone for emergencies (giving it to them for Christmas probably helped me make my case). In this case, the advance of cell phone technology actually made them less anxious about the phone by making it easier to program and use. I think that technology should be encouraged as method to promote mental stimulation as their bodies start to grow weary.
ReplyDeleteJenny,
ReplyDeleteInteresting that you should write about this. My grandfather retired two years ago, he owned a small department store in a small town called Isabela on the northwest coast of Puerto Rico. he was a WWII Veteran, and always in excellent help barring the 3 bullet-scars in his right thigh from the war. He woke up every morning with a purpose, would walk to his store and back, he was well-known in town, and enjoyed working. It kept his mind active and provided him with purpose. When Wal-Mart opened near the town it was no longer profitable for him to continue his business.
He retired two years ago, and has slowly slipped into a terrible catharsis ever since. he has seemingly lost his purpose for living. his memory has failed him, he must walk with a walker now, and he just sits often all day napping and watching television. It is sad but I do believe that work gives us all a purpose, it keeps us sharp, and it has been interesting to see our other peer's opinions and insight regarding this phenomenon.
Great post keep up the good work.
Side note: Your post reminded me of the movie Gran Torino. While the movie delt with an array of topics, the protagonist was an elderly widowed man that stayed strong in his old age. He was motivated about keeping his house in order, his car in good shape.
ReplyDeleteHe spent time and energy pensively evaluating the dynamics of his very diverse neighborhood. While he didn't use technology per say, he remained informed about the world around him and adapted to the changes time brought his town.