Best websites to help elderly get on-line
Our ageing parents are more wary of using computers and the internet, often because they have had no experience of them and think they are too old to learn how to use them.
They fear feeling stupid around new technology, yet if they can master it, it can bring untold happiness to their lives. They can communicate via email, or on social networking sites, shop, learn new skill and do many other things most of us use everyday. Watch our video about how to get your parent on-line
So myageingparent have compiled a guide to the most helpful and free websites to teach your elderly relative how to use computers and benefit from their wide applications.
BBC Webwise
This comprehensive, easy-to-use site offers and introduction to:
- The basics of how to use a computer
- How to use the web
- How to use e-mail
- The basics of staying safe on-line
- How to shop on-line
- A glossary of computer terms
- How to use mobile devices
As you would expect from the BBC, it is easy to follow and clearly set out
Skillful Senior
An American site, which Skillful Senior teaches basic navigation skills
The focus here is teaching the elderly how to access health information on the web
The site has interactive animated tutorials, which teach your ageing parent how to use the mouse, the arrow keys on the keyboard, and touch typing
Importantly, they also teach about ergonomics too, so that the elderly can use the computer without sitting badly and causing themselves pain
Each tutorial has a voice-over by a digital character to explain everything as you go along
Meganga
Meganga offers computer lessons for the elderly, beginners and computer novices
There are computer lessons on Office Word, with Word tutorials showing how to use Microsoft Office Word and a beginners guide on how to use Excel
The first computer course of lessons is for basic computer training and is specifically aimed at the elderly and beginners
The computer tutorials start with very elementary, but essential topics, so that beginners and elderly students will gain in confidence, learn computer skills and will soon be able to do much more with their computer
The site is still being developed and there is clearly more to come, but the beginner lessons are worth trying
GCF Learn Free
GCFLearnFree is an online platform, with courses which cover technology, online literacy, and maths skills
The site lists around 750 lessons that are designed for basic and intermediate levels
The design of the site should be suitable for the elderly and helps them gain internet and computer skills
There are a number of technical courses, including how to use an ATM
Courses are interactive and are supported with articles, videos, and animation
Microsoft Accessibility
For those with arthritis or stiff joints, it shows you how to use speech recognition, rather than the keyboard
For the hard of hearing, it gives tips on volume control
It also helps the elderly to use the keyboard and for those with a tremor or Parkinson’s, will show you how to set filters, which will ignore repeated, mistaken strokes
Good 50
Good50 is a Google-powered search engine, customized to be more readable and user-friendly to everyone, including older adults and school-aged children
The larger text on the search page and the optional high-contrast setting makes it easier for older adults to access content on the web
Eldy
This is not a website, but a free download, which turns any standard PC into an easy-to-use computer for first time computer users
It provides six buttons, which interface email, internet, chat, videoconferencing, documents, pictures, skype and more
Watch myageingparent.com’s guide to getting your parent on-line
We offer a great at home computer training service. For details, call now on 03333 441584
Or complete the form below and we will contact you
Please give us any of your own tips or comments on our forum, or if you’ve found this useful, please like us on Facebook
