Elderly residents drop in for computer training

January 04, 2012

Everyday activities such as keeping in touch with friends and relatives, getting up-to-date news and information and shopping can become more difficult for the elderly or less mobile, but thanks to their housing association, tenants of Yarlington Housing Group can now do all of this online.

At the company’s very well attended Older Persons meeting, a demonstration of a system designed for elderly people was well received; following which a drop-in session was held so residents could experience first-hand how easy it is to get on-line to use the internet as well as sending emails and managing their own documents and photos. The company has plans in place to introduce computers in the communal areas of their retirement living schemes in the near future.

Resident Margaret Broadway, who lives at the retirement living scheme in Castle Cary said “I have never used a computer before, but this is very easy.” Encouraged along by Senior Retirement Living Officer Dawn Turnbull, Mrs Broadway was soon able to perform basic tasks herself.

“It’s always good to see our residents getting to grips with modern technology” she said. “We have some very accomplished people who have only taken to computing fairly recently, and it just goes to show that you are never too old to learn new skills.”