Computers or tablets for older people?
Today it is hard to imagine living without computers, but did you know that already in 1968 the inventor of the computer mouse Douglas Engelbart gave a demonstration of many modern technological marvels, including email, videoconferencing, word processing and hypertext (the foundation of modern search engines)?
It certainly took a long time for these inventions to become a part of our everyday lives, but many of us younger ‘net-natives’ couldn’t imagine living without them
On the other hand, many older people never saw the need to learn to use computers before the emergence of the Internet. Many elderly people may find ‘social media’ and ‘electronic mail’ as recent novelties, and as a result may feel excluded from a large part of the sharing that takes part among families and younger generations
If you do know an elderly relative who could be ready to learn to use a computer or tablet computer, there are a number of issues to consider helping them get started.
Do they really need it?
Before you even consider giving an older relative a computer or tablet, it’s important to remember that there may be a good reason why they don’t already have one
In fact, according to the Office of National Statistics, the number one reason why people don’t have access to the Internet in the UK, especially among those aged 65 and older is that they simply don’t feel they need it
If you do have older relatives who say they don’t need computers or the Internet, you may be better off by showcasing some of the main benefits:
- Sharingemails with family and friends
- Shopping online
- Viewing and sharing photos. Already one in four over 55 year olds regularly upload and share photos online and an even greater amount view photos shared by other family members on social networks.
- Internet banking is also becoming increasingly popular amongst older people
The Biggest Benefit:
Arguably, the greatest benefit of using a computer is that you are able to connect with friends and family, whether it is through video calls via Skype or by sending messages
Nearly three quarters of over 75s who live alone say they feel lonely, for them getting online whether through a computer or a tablet can be the most effective way to reduce loneliness
I’ve recently started a mission to help my own grandfather ‘get online’ in the respectable age of 90. Most of my relatives live quite far from their childhood home and my grandparents have become increasingly isolated as more of our communications have gone from phone calls or to emails and Facebook updates
For a 90 year old who hasn’t previously used computers, there are realistically two choices to get online: a personal computer or a tablet Personal Computers
A personal computer (or laptop) is the more traditional choice for people of all ages, providing a separate keyboard, mouse and screen for viewing, navigation and interaction
These days most people will be familiar with computers either through school or from their workplace, but for an older person, a computer, keyboard or mouse may take some time to master for a number of reasons:
Unlike other home appliances, even basic things like starting and turning off Windows or Macintosh computers can be a bit challenging with login questions and passwords.
Older people may also find choosing keyboard combinations like “control + alt + del” counter-intuitive, especially as 79% of older computer users only use two fingers when typing
Double-clicking on a mouse is often problematic for the elderly because of the need for specific fine motor skills. In these cases, you should configure the timing of their mouse to allow more time for the second click
The main benefit of choosing a computer for elderly people is that there is already a lot of instructional material and support to get started
Most local councils offer free computer training for older people and there are many national initiatives organised by reputable charities to help get started
Tablet Computers
Whilst a relatively new invention, tablet computers like Apple’s iPad have become increasingly popular, with about 40 million new iPads sold in the first six months of 2013
Tablets have also become popular among older people, because their touch-screen interfaces are often easier to learn to use and you are able to do most daily tasks like browse the news, read emails or have a video chat within a couple of touches
The touchscreen is also the main downside of tablets, as many older users may find it harder to touch because of poor circulation in the fingers or simply because the icons are too small or close to each other. People with difficulties touching a tablet screen may find using a sponge tip stylus pen easier to use
If typing on the on-screen keyboard proves difficult, you can also consider using speech recognition instead, which comes as standard on more recent tablets like the iPad3 and more recent Androids
Tablets require less short-term memory
It’s quite normal to become a bit more forgetful as we age as our short-term memory may weaken. In these cases it may be harder to remember instructions or processes
While you can do very similar things with computers and tablets such as email, browsing, video chats and so on, it’s important to remember that many functions need a couple more steps on computers. In such cases, it’s important to have clear written instructions in case you need to do a number of steps to get started
For example, simply logging into Gmail on a computer, you’ll need to follow the steps:
- Open the web browser eg. “Firefox”
- Type in mail.google.com in the address bar
- Enter the email address and password.
In contrast, these steps won’t be necessary on tablet computers, where you are typically permanently logged in and can simply press the Gmail icon to get to your inbox
One good way to keep instructions readily available on a computer is by installing sticky note widgets on the desktop. They will look just like a normal post-it note on your parent’s computer screen and can store reminders just where you need them Buy only the features that you need
Price-wise both computers and tablets range from anywhere between £150 up to over £1000
Many of the more expensive models have a large number of features that may not be relevant in the typical day-to-day activities popular with older people, so it’s a good idea to start with a more affordable model and upgrade over time
While cheaper may often be better, it may be better to choose well known products that have plenty of online reviews
You may find some less familiar brands offering computers or tablets below £150, but these often come with sub-standard technical features, such as graphics cards or CPUs that cannot handle basic video playback or phone conferences It’s better to start off by testing
When deciding which one is better, a computer or a tablet, another good idea is to test both ahead of time
Any family member or carer can bring along their own devices on a visit to see which would be most comfortable for their own loved ones
It’s a good idea also to check whether local community centres or the council are running training programmes helping seniors learn basic IT skills, and many of the trainers are likely to offer advice on both computers and tablets A Simpler Tablet Experience for the Elderly?
In my case, I found that tablets were the more natural option for my grandparents, but I was not completely happy with the user experience offered by Apple and Google’s tablet interfaces
I strongly believe we can make tablets simpler and easier to use for older people. Read our top tips for apps for the elderly
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Lari is a Finnish entrepreneur living in East London. He recently left behind a career working for Google and advertising agencies to focus on finding ways technology can improve people's everyday lives. One of his first projects, the Zilta app, was born out of his desire to help his 90 year old grandparents get started using the Internet and connect with family members across the World
