Elders' Memory Improves While Searching the Internet
Recently, the assisted living facility in which my wife’s grandmother resides installed computers with internet access. The machines live in a common area so that all residents are able to use them if they so desire. My wife and I had great fun helping grandma retrieve e-mails with photo attachments as well as showing her how to search the web. At 92, she is as sharp as a tack and a very quick learner!
This article from http://seniors-health-medicare.suite101.com discusses how University of California researchers discovered that “teaching elderly people how to do Internet searches stimulates their cognitive functions, resulting in better memory and decision-making abilities”. This was accomplished by comparing a group who engaged the internet daily with those who were “newbies” while undergoing MRI scans. It’s an interesting read and reminded me of our experience at her facility.
Yes, when it came to the internet, grandma was indeed a quick learner. I’m not sure how often she’ll use it though, she reads constantly and writes to her friends and family the old fashioned way, with pen and paper. Guess there’s more than one way to stimulate the old grey matter.
What are your thoughts?
Author: Bill Keller, EQUIP Web/Multimedia Developer