December To Remember: Older People and Technology

Dear Friends,

I use to say that people can be taught anything but that’s not the case with my own mother. My mother is like older people and tends to stay in the past. My mother is the reason why old dogs cannot learn new tricks. Recently, my mother finally got internet but teaching her is harder than teaching a wall. I have been dreading this for years because my mother frustrates me. I am a self learner. If I want to learn something, I go to classes or read on my own. My mother is not like me. So trying to teach her how to use the internet is not easy. For years, she’s getting more and more ignorant to being online. Before I get people saying to be patient with my mother, you never dealt with my mother like I had to. This is a special blog because I have been meaning to speak my mind about older people and internet.

As a kid, the fact that people were using computers fascinated me because it was new technology. What upset me is how older people don’t use technology. We live in the world where things are straying from paper copies to digital copies. I keep reminding myself that I will not be like that when I get older. I do my best to keep up with technology because I don’t ever want to ask dumb questions. Most older people stay away from computers and internet because they get confused. However, my step mother can sit on the computer, play game and use Facebook without question. I had an ex girlfriend’s mother sit on the computer and play games most of the day. I am reminded that some people are just ignorant and rather not use technology. As for my mother, I try to be patient but I remind myself that most have a breaking point. Right now, I just referred her to classes at the public library. I don’t have the capabilities to teach her. If she was someone else, I could teach them. I find myself being a bad son but I am trying to keep my sanity. I am use to teaching kids and teens. Kids and teens are easier to teach because they learn quicker. Some seniors can do this but most don’t. I know that when people get older they lose brain cells and forget things. I feel that people need to learn new things regardless but sometimes people want to be in the past. I am going to leave this for another day because I am going to try to calm myself down. That’s all for now but there will be more to come.

Eugene Chandler III