The world's population has never been older, according to IBM. In fact, 20% of the U.S. population will be over 65 by 2030. IBM has been helping Mitsukoshi, one of Japan's leading retailers, to take advantage of what they see as a unique opportunity. They have already helped Macy's and Bloomingdales make their websites more accessible to the elderly.Go to original article and video . . .
Typical issues affecting the elderly include:
Getting the UK online - including the elderly
User reviews are always welcome. Add yours to the discussion at the bottom of the page.
Here are ten tips on how you can use Windows XP to counter the effects of the awkward age. We encourage you to copy, print, or post these cartoons, reproduce them in company publications, or forward them to friends and colleagues. (Images and Text: Courtesy of Brian Basset and Microsoft Corporation)
 Image source: The Independent |  IBM helps seniors shop online (watch the video) |
Typical issues affecting the elderly include:
- Vision impairment and blindness
- Arthritis and other physical difficulties
- Stroke (loss of speech and mobility)
- Memory loss. There are many methods employed to help someone who has difficulty remembering things.
MEM-X is a VOCAL MEMORY AIDE allowing people to cope with frequent memory related issues (due to Alzheimers, Pakinson's - or just old age), when too many things must be remembered. MEM-X is a device to assist, support, and ultimately reassure elderly people. There is only one button on the front to press. The programming buttons are reached by opening a hinged door at the back. Can store up to 90 messages of 10 seconds in length.
- Microsoft's guide for aging computer users
Discover How to Make the Computer Easier to See, Hear, and Use - Buying a computer. So you want a computer and don't know where to start? UKOrbit have a very informative website, providing advice on buying computers and using them for online shopping. Find out more at UKOrbit . . .
Getting the UK online - including the elderly
- Why are many of the older generation still refusing to join the digital age? . . .
Image source: BBC - Martha Lane Fox, Co-founder of Last Minute.com talks about the Race Online 2012 initiative . . .
Martha introduces Race Online 2012 - Martha's manifesto (Rory Cellan-Jones blog). . .
- Martha Lane Fox's BBC interview 12/7/2010 . . .
Computer Resources
Guide
An all-in-one computer package, for people who are blind, partially sighted, or just new to computers. It has been designed to be easy-to-use and easy-to-learn.
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| Guide Demo Part 1 | Guide Demo Part 2 | |
| Guide Demo Part 3 | Guide Hands-Free Introduction | |
| SimplicITy | ||
SimplicITy computer for the elderly A new computer aimed at people aged over 60 who are unfamiliar with PCs and the internet has been unveiled. The simplified desktop - called SimplicITy - has just six buttons directing users to basic tasks such as e-mail and chat. The computer uses the Linux Mint operating system and comes pre-loaded with 17 video tutorials from television presenter Valerie Singleton. More than 6 million people over the age of 65 have never used the internet, according to government figures. | Val Singleton introduces the SimplicITy | |
| Alex | ||
| Welcome to Alex ! alex comes complete with a suite of simple, practical programs that are always available on-screen at the touch of a button. alex is a subscription-based service. There's no maintenance, no anti-virus system to manage and alex is always up to date - the system makers take care of all of that for you. New features and enhancements are continually added that you receive automatically as part of your subscription, all backed up by a comprehensive help package available online, on paper and by telephone from their support team. What you get . . . a laptop, a mouse and a latch key (security USB pen). |  Screenshot of Alex website | |
| Alex Demo | ||
MAAVIS | ||
| Maavis provides simplified access to media, communications, web and programs on a computer. It is primarily designed for people who are either unsure of computers or unable to use them without adaptation. Screens of buttons containing text or images perform simple operations when activated. Activation can be with, pointer, keyboard, touch screen or with the built in switch access scanning support. More about MAAVIS . . . BBC story about a 93 year old using the MAAVIS computer program. Dated 10/11/2010 |  Image source . . . | |
SoftShell | ||
| SoftShell software for seniors | Voice and Video Calling PointerWare users are just two clicks away from face-to-face time with children, grandchildren, caregivers and friends. PointerWare allows anyone with an Internet connection to make free, unlimited video calls to Skype users. . . .and there's more SoftShell - Frequently Asked Questions Does PointerWare require a touchscreen? What are the system requirements? Does it run on a Mac? What languages does it support? Can I use an existing email address with it? Check out the F.A.Q. for the answers! | |
Other Resources
| e-Citizen for the elderly | Computer training for older people |
User reviews are always welcome. Add yours to the discussion at the bottom of the page.
Ten Tips for the Awkward Age of Computing
Here are ten tips on how you can use Windows XP to counter the effects of the awkward age. We encourage you to copy, print, or post these cartoons, reproduce them in company publications, or forward them to friends and colleagues. (Images and Text: Courtesy of Brian Basset and Microsoft Corporation)
A Screen Too Far | ||
 Enlarge | Do you find yourself fighting the urge to press your nose against the screen because you can't see text and objects clearly? Windows XP and Microsoft applications offer several options that can help, from changing your monitor display settings to increasing the icons or text size of individual documents and Web pages. Review the tutorials: | |
Built-in Bifocals | ||
 Enlarge | Having trouble seeing things that are close up? Around age 45 for most people, eyes start to lose the ability to adjust their focus to see objects that are near. Microsoft Magnifier, one of the accessibility features in Windows XP, opens a floating window that enlarges different parts of the screen—just like a magnifying glass. Review the tutorial:
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Lights, Camera, Action | ||
 Enlarge | If stiff joints or other dexterity issues are slowing you down, try using the speech recognition features in Office XP and Office 2003 to combine voice commands and dictation with mouse and keyboard commands for a more flexible work environment. Review the tutorial:
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Tune Out, Tune In | ||
 Enlarge | Are you having trouble hearing email alerts and other audible notifications of system events? With SoundSentry, you can make parts of your screen flash whenever a system sound occurs. To "see" speech and other sounds, use Windows XP to display closed captions. Review the tutorial:
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Talk to Me | ||
 Enlarge | If your vision is beyond the point where magnification is enough, Narrator in Windows XP can help by converting text and captions to speech. If this problem is persistent, you may need a device called a screen reader. Review the tutorial:
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Cursor in a Haystack | ||
 Enlarge | If you find yourself searching for your cursor or mouse pointer more often than you search the Web, use Cursor Options to change the size, appearance, width, speed, color and blink rate of your cursor, or the mouse setting in the Control Panel to modify your pointer, to make them easier to see. Review the tutorial: | |
Losing Your Grip? | ||
 Enlarge | Use MouseKeys to transfer mouse functions to your numeric keypad, or try a Microsoft mouse that is designed for maximum comfort. Review the tutorial:
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All Together Now | ||
 Enlarge | StickyKeys allows you to hit one key at a time to execute commands that usually require simultaneous key combinations, such as using SHIFT to type a capital letter, or CTRL+ALT+DEL to display the task manager. Review the tutorial: | |
All Shook Up | ||
 Enlarge | If you have a mild tremor or your stiff fingers are creating typos and other keyboard errors, FilterKeys can give you the equivalent of a steady hand by enabling your computer to ignore brief or repeated keystrokes that you make accidentally. Review the tutorial: | |
Easy on the Eyes | ||
 Enlarge | If the images on your computer screen appear indistinct or don't seem quite as sharp as they once did, choose one of several high-contrast displays to make text easier to read. This is also a great feature if you find that using your portable computer in certain types of light makes text on the screen all but disappear. Review the tutorials: | |