ShAARP Session: Observations from AARP

A new PC called SimplicITy has been created specifically for folks older than 60 who are unfamiliar with the internet. But is this a useful way of helping older folks learn how to use a computer, or more of a patronizing product that pushes age-old (pun intended) stereotypes about older people? After all, its email program is called, "Eldy."

The fact of the matter is that more than 65% of Americans aged 50-70 use the internet. (You can find hard proof at our robust online community) But at the same time, should we ignore the fact that there are still millions of older folks, particularly in their 60s and 70s, who don't know how to use the internet? Maybe the solution is to use this PC to target all people with a bit more of a focus on certain groups who may have a harder time understanding the world wide web - not just older folks. What do you think?

The New York Times has a great piece on its Web site all about seniors and technology. The article was particularly fun for me to read because I still remember when my grandmother - who turns 74 next month! - had a PC before my family even had one, and who has recently mastered the art of text messaging from her cell phone, even if it's the one with "big buttons."

The article covers everything from centenarians using Twitter to video-chatting and the "simple" PC. It is great to learn that folks are taking advantage of all this newfangled technology has to offer, especially as the older we get the more difficult it is to travel and visit loved ones. With iChat, Skype and all the other programs out there, older Americans can see their grandchildren whenever they want from the comfort of their own home. How are you using technology and social networking to keep in touch? And if you aren't - why not!

Another helpful story...
on the New York Times site is one called "Strategies to Help Grandchildren Now, Not Later." With the tough economic climate, more and more grandparents are focusing on helping their adult children and grandchildren financially now, rather than worrying about the size of their inheritance. The article points out, though, that "tax traps await the unwary" and there are several tips for how to avoid those gift taxes while still helping younger generations get by. Check it out.

Know someone over 60 who is changing the world? They could win $100,000 for their passion. Nominate them for the Purpose Prize.

The Purpose Prize awards up to $100,000 to social innovators over 60 who are creating new ways to solve pressing social issues - from education to health care, poverty to global warming. Winners are finding purpose in an encore career and putting their experience to work for the greater good.

Click Here for stories on past winners and the nomination form.

Good luck!

Remember Polaroid? Big, brick-sized cameras, and you could take a picture of your cat and five minutes later it'd be a beautiful printed picture?

I ran into Polaroid at the Consumer Electronics Show, and they're making some new cameras that print pictures without even using ink. Remember how the old Polaroid prints had to sit out on your counter and dry for a painful, long 2 minutes? Not anymore. This is a picture I printed of myself at the show:

They weren't the only ones - there's a Japanese company that makes a similar camera in all sorts of different colors. Check them out here.

I'm at the Consumer Electronics Show in Vegas, where thousands of companies are showing off their inventions aimed at making your lives easier. My favorites so far: little gizmos that let you charge your phone, your iPod, or even power motion-detected lights on your garage, without ever needing to find a plug.

The nPower PEG (Personal Energy Generator) feels like a really light barbell. Stick it in your backpack or a really, really big pocket, and you can charge that cellphone or your little digital camera while you hike in the Rockies.

Or there's these little gizmos from the UK- little cases made for iPhones and Blackberries. All you need is a light source, and your phone's got power to go.

Remember life before the Internet? If you're 50+, like I am, you do. But you're not reminiscing the good old days. You're increasingly going online to research healthcare choices, manage your finances, plan your retirement and vacation, buy baseball tickets and groceries, and socialize with family, friends, even strangers, by emailing or blogging.

Life online brings great rewards and risks, particularly to our personal privacy. To help you stay safe online and protect yourself, AARP and Google have created a series of online consumer safety videos that you can watch on the Google Privacy Channel on YouTube and on AARP.org's online safety page.

Our videos offer tips for using passwords safely, enabling firewalls, shopping and sharing information wisely, and avoiding online scams like phishing and other ploys.

While you can't eliminate every risk, these tips can help you reduce the chance your personal information will be hijacked. Whether you're searching for doctors, dates, limousine drivers, or donut shops with online search engines or simply surfing the web for fun, our videos will help you be smart and protect yourself.

I hope you'll use our new online consumer safety videos and share them with family and friends!

Here are a few tips from our videos that I hope that you'll follow:

• Firewalls are your friend: They ensure that only trusted servers interact with your computer. Be sure your firewall is enabled.


• Passwords are key: Make them easy for you to remember, but hard for others to guess. Never use social security numbers, birthdates, addresses or other easily found information.


• Acronyms get A+: Use a phrase you can't forget - like I Bought My Car in 2005 - and use the acronym, IBMCI2005, as a password.


• Beware of public computers: When accessing websites in your public library, a government office or friend's house, never click on a "Remember me on this computer" prompt.


• Inoculate your pc against viruses: Use anti-virus and anti-spy ware software and always keep them up to date.


• Be savvy when shopping and sharing: The Internet is an easy way to share emails, photos, and blog posts. But use the sharing controls provided by the service you're using. For example, when using AARP's photo-sharing service, use sharing controls to ensure that your family vacation photos stay within your family.

And as always, don't forget to check for daily updates on all the latest news you can use on both AARP's blog, ShAARPsession and the Official Google Blog. Have fun, and stay safe!

AARP's own John Rother sat down with Dr. Val of Revolution Health to talk about all things health.

They talked about how technology is changing health care...health care reform...and how online communities can help people achieve health goals!

Photo from bmcvey on Flickr.com.

We've already discussed how gaming is becoming more popular among adults, and now so is the idea that gaming can help folks get fit.

According to an article in Inland Valley's Daily Bulletin, Nintendo's Wii is getting people up and moving at "senior centers" around the country.

The Wii, "which recreates games like bowling, baseball and tennis on the television screen and gets players mimicking the motion, has resulted in [folks] swinging, throwing and punching their way around the popular senior center." The article goes on to explain the benefits people are reaping from an increase in fun, physical activity and from an increase in social interaction with their peers.

Sounds like a win-win to us.

So who's got next game?

Another good one from Lindsay:

We’re not the only ones busting boomer myths. Over at Business Week they’re talking about new research that shows how tech savvy boomers really are …

Contrary to the popular belief that tech entrepreneurs start their companies in their teens or early 20s, we found that the average and median age of founders was 39. Twice as many were older than 50 as were younger than 25. And there were twice as many over 60 as under 20. So, we may read stories about young people starting tech companies, but they're the minority. Most tech entrepreneurs have grey hair and experience.

I’m not surprised – boomers are a vast and varied group who are redefining growing older. Many will continue to work after retirement and a solid majority of them don’t let the years prevent them from using the internet.