Newsletter and IYOP Initiatives Australian Coalition '99

Launch of Seniors Online Day

OLDER PEOPLE USING COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY
by Nan Bosler
President, Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association

This is the speech given by Nan Bosler at the launch of Seniors Online Day

Computer technology is creeping into almost every aspect of our lives, but why do seniors want to use this technology? What are the advantages and satisfaction of trying to cope with such new fangled ideas? Ladies and Gentlemen, is it worth the bother?

Australia is an ageing society. In 1911 (the year of Australia's first census) 4% of people were aged 65 years and over. By 1996, this figure had risen to 12% in New South Wales. (Currently the percentage of older residents in some areas is considerably higher than the average, e.g. Manly Local Government Area has approx. 24% older residents, and Pittwater LGA has 22% older residents.) Australia has one of the highest rates of life expectancy in the world, 75 years for men and 81 years for women. This means that most non Aboriginal people can expect to live another 15-20 active years beyond the 'traditional' retirement age of 60. People are living longer, they are generally remaining healthy and active for longer, and they have access to greater financial resources than previous generations. (NSW Healthy Ageing Framework 1998-2003, NSW Gov. 1998)

According to number of recent studies, more and more people aged 55 and over are using computers and the Internet. Examining the attitudes and practices of older Queenslanders, researchers Margaret Steinberhg and Linda Walley found that while a fair number of older people are not computer literate, most think that computers can be mastered at any age. Steinberg and Walley found that older people who do use a computer enjoy it and feel empowered. (All Ages News 1, Official newsletter of IYOP)

More than 2.3 million people in Australia, 1 million of those are in NSW are aged 60 and over

Baby boomers are turning 50 at the rate of 700 per day

By early next century 20% of the population will be over 60

In just over a decade there will be more people over 60 than under 18

More than 90% of people aged 60 years and over live in houses and flats, and more than 80% are homeowners. ("General Ageing Facts", Briefing, IYOP, Ageing & Disability Dept. 17 June 1998.)

Seniors living in rural areas are realising that they have to depend more and more upon technology for everyday needs. It is with great alarm that communities watch banking facilities withdrawn from their towns and villages. Older people often find it just too hard to travel to the nearest 'big' centre to access banks. Computer technology is the solution for those seniors who are able to access computers. Cabonne Council in New South Wales envisaged a computer solution. They developed a project to establish three cyber cafes strategically placed within the villages of Cabonne Country - a shire of 6,017 square kms with approximately 11,600 residents. Cabonne is an agricultural area with no regional city centre, it is a shire consisting of 8 villages. The project will provide integrated and interactive training, public Internet access and information and introduction to information technology to the village residents and agricultural sector of Cabonne Country. The project officer will give training in surfing the web, email, set up chat havens and give basic training in web design and on line marketing. (Cyber Cafe Proposal, Joy Engleman, Small Towns Development Officer, Cabonne Council 1998.)

Older people separated from family and friends are using the Internet to maintain close links with them and many seniors with a disability are reveling in new found options opened up for them by computer technology. They are emailing friends and family across the street or around the world to chat. They are also using the Internet to research and study as well as to bank and pay bills.

By mastering the use of simple computer technology older people are finding their general well being and independence strengthened.

Communication is vitally important to us all and computer technology offers a level of communication previously unknown in the world.

Computer Clubs for Seniors are a popular and expanding activity both in Australia and overseas. Commencing in the 1980s, Computerpals for Seniors began as an outgrowth of Computerpals Around the World, which had been set up to encourage high school students to become interested in International Communications. Seniors however, wanted to master the use of computers before they ventured into communications. As a result some of the first of these clubs began teaching the basics of Windows and Works and other software programmes which met the interest of their members.

Computer Clubs for Seniors have developed considerably since that first concept evolved from Computerpals Around the World, and provide older people and those with a disability with the opportunity to learn how to use computer technology. Each club has a number of members who act as tutors or trainers. It usually ranges from one to one, to a one to three learning opportunity for members who are taught what they want to learn and at their own pace. The important difference in this learning style is that most older people prefer to be taught by people of a similar age, they want to learn specific things and not undertake a course of information that may or may not be of use to them. Most of all they want to learn at their own pace.

Seniors can be hesitant to attempt to use computer technology, they can be plagued by negative thoughts - will I be able to do it - could I make a fool of myself. Computer Clubs for Seniors provide an excellent solution - they provide a friendly, non threatening environment, they are taught by seniors at their own pace. The new member gains confidence in using a computer and in using the programmes on the club's computer. The club will help them to select a computer that meets their needs and is within their price range.

All clubs have played an important role in the overall growth of computer technology and the older person. For instance, Northern Beaches Computer Pals for Seniors created two development plans The first was a guide for starting a new club and the second was an outreach programme to be used to help clubs establish sub groups within Retirement Villages. Both of these plans have been widely and successfully used. It had been recognised that there were barriers stopping many older people living in retirement villages from participating in activities outside their villages. These barriers included lack of mobility or lack of transport. The first of these groups was established in the R.S.L. Veterans Retirement Villages at Collaroy Plateau and the second in the Willandra Village at Beacon Hill. Members of these groups are members of the parent club, Northern Beaches, and have full use of any of the club's facilities that they may want to access but they also have access to their own meeting place in the village.

A third outreach group was established by the Manly club. This club has dedicated Thursday afternoon to the Multiple Sclerosis Society. People with MS often have their hands affected with this insidious disease to such an extent that they find it impossible to write. The advent of the computer has been a godsend as they can now write just by pressing keys and correct mistakes by simply pressing other keys. One of the problems experienced was that they often had no experience with computers. Those of middle age or later were, in fact, a little frightened by this new fangled technology. MS Society needed to have an opportunity for them to try out a computer, in a wheelchair accessible location to see if they could benefit from its capabilities. The use of Manly club's facilities has been very successful.

Computer Pals for Seniors Clubs had a stand at the Seniors' Card Computer and Technology Show which was held in Sydney in November 1997. AT that show, 450 people added their names to the growing list of those who wanted to know how to start, or join, a club near their homes. As a result several more clubs were established in the Castle Hill, St. George and Central Coast areas.

It was decided to hold the 1st Australian Computer Seminar for Seniors in March 1998. Northern Beaches formed a committee representing several of the clubs to run this extremely successful Seminar. As a follow up, the existing Clubs attended a meeting held on 1 May 1998 to discuss the advantages of forming an umbrella organisation to link computer clubs for seniors. At this meeting it was resolved that:

i. an umbrella organisation be established
ii. a steering committee be formed
iii. a seminar be held during 1999. The Seminar would be the Associations major activity to mark 1999 as the International Year of Older Persons, and that
iv. the website, www.interweb.com.au/snug be developed and maintained.

The steering committee was elected to draw up a constitution, investigate insurance, propose a fee structure, and prepare the fledgling organisation for incorporation.

The committee completed its assigned tasks quickly and a general meeting of interested clubs and organisations was held on 7 August 1998 in the boardroom of the Council on the Ageing, Sydney.

The meeting resolved that the association be known as The Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association Inc. (ASCCA) and an executive was elected. ASCCA became an incorporated association on 14 August 1998.

Membership of ASCCA is open to all Computer clubs for Seniors, Organisations with a membership of seniors, and Organisations that recognise the value of computer technology for seniors. cost of Membership is $100 per year.

The Association will advise and support; liaise with the three spheres of Government and other organisations on behalf of the membership, organise seminars and like activities and seek out advantages for members (for advantages read discounts.)

The Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association Inc, (ASCCA) is a non-profit organisation linking Computer Clubs for Seniors. It provides a channel for communication between like-minded people, who want to share in the potentials of the computer age to serve their individual and community goals.

ASCCA is receiving enquiries from people living in many parts of the State seeking computer clubs in their own areas. A New Clubs Development sub-committee has been formed to address this great need. When someone is keen to try and help form a new club we have been providing them with as much assistance as possible. Often we suggest that they should contact the Community Services section of their local Council for advice about a venue and other general support.

We are very aware that this section of Council is always very busy and have produced a Development Kit as a resource and useful tool be used by Council Staff to encourage the development of Computer Clubs for Seniors within their local government area. It may be as an incorporated community group or as a group within an organisation such as a Senior Citizens Centre or as an activity in a Retirement Village.

The Kit concentrates on establishing an incorporated community group but there is additional information available if a group or activity within another organisation is the preferred format. We also provide a copy of the kit to individuals or groups who want to see a computer club for seniors established in their area and are prepared to act as the driving force to see the establishment of such a club. ASCCA, of course, is anxious to provide as such support and encouragement as possible. One, or sometimes two members of the New Clubs Development sub-committee, will help with the initial public meeting for a new club and attend as guest speaker to enthuse potential new members and explain the advantages of forming a club in their area. This Kit, has been sent to every Local Government Area in New South Wales and was distributed at the end of March 1999. Many Councils have written to commend it.

The kit has been most successful and as a result some 27 new clubs have been established or are in the process of planning their first meeting. With the encouragement of Online Australia the kit was launched today, Seniors Online Day, on www.onlineseniors.net.au and on ASCCA's website (www.interweb.com.au/snug).

In early 1998 the total membership of the individual computer clubs for seniors numbered some 600 seniors. ASCCA now represents, through its affiliated clubs and links, some 10,000 seniors.

Let me tell you about two seniors. Marjorie Nix-James is 95 years old. The audience at the 1st computer seminar for seniors heard Marjorie explain that a little over a year before she had decided that she should write her memoirs and to do that she would learn how to use a computer! Holding a copy of her published memoirs this incredible lady held the participants spellbound.

Betty Morrison is 84 and she told the participants at the Seminar, which was held in May this year, that she was at the end of the line - in the great-grandma department. Betty had written to The Australian complaining that no-one had offered to teach her how to use a computer. One of the clubs saw the letter and she was invited to join them. This is part of what she had to say at the seminar:

"I was contacted by John Notary, President of the ever informative and helpful Seniors Computer Club on the Central Coast and invited to join their club. I was lucky to have among my friends a 14 year old computer whiz, and when I showed an interest in what he did, he responded wonderfully and soon I was ringing my son to tell him that Matthew was building me a computer. Owing to my poor grasp of the high-tec appliances in my apartment (including the VCR,) Doug was astounded.

It wasn't the cash but concern at my lack of expertise that caused him to say "Mum! Why don't you just drop the money over the balcony and save yourself all that worry?"

With much much patient help, I proceeded, now you couldn't separate me from it.

You know, when I visit my friends in hostels and even nursing homes, instead of glumly contemplating my future entry, I look about to see where my computer will fit, and think happily of all the time I'll have available to work on it."

Why do seniors want to use these technologies? What are the advantages and satisfaction of trying to cope with new fangled ideas! Is it worth the bother?

Through ASCCA the computer clubs for seniors are

Encouraging seniors and people with disabilities to explore the advantages and satisfaction of using computer technology.

Empowering seniors and people with disabilities by providing learning opportunities

Expanding communication opportunities

Encouraging options to enable seniors and people with disabilities to enhance their lifestyle

Assisting seniors and people with disabilities in the development of skills to enhance participation in community activities

helping to Bridge the Gap between the generations through the use of computer technology

and Increasing self esteem and independence.

Oh yes, Ladies and Gentlemen, it is worth the bother!