May 24, 2008

ASUS Eee - Why buy an ASUS Eee for an Elderly Relative?

Did you know that the largest growth area in Internet use in the developed world is in the so-called "Silver Surfers" age range? Growing numbers of senior citizens want to get back into contact with people who they knew at school or college. Now they find that their friends are all in care homes or sheltered accommodation. In the care homes, especially, the residents find that they can enjoy the immediacy of an e-mail, where their friend can receive and read the letter the next time they check their email. It sounds so much like science fiction to those who were brought up on H. G. Wells and the like. Yet for today's young people, it is an integral part of daily life.

Many of the elderly who live on their own are daunted by technology. They are jealous of their grandchildren playing on the computers for hours and hours. They cannot get to grips with it at all. They need a simple, small, self-contained computer for their own use at home. This perfectly describes an ASUS Eee.

The keyboard may be small, but as they are probably not going to be touch-typing it will not be a problem. The visual appeal of the little computer coupled with its simple Linux interface, makes it an easy option for someone new to computers to use quickly and easily. The high speed start up makes sure that someone who is a little concerned, or unsure of themselves does not wait for hours before working out that they need to charge the battery or switch the computer on.

One good way to encourage the older relative to use the computer is to store on it a number of photos of friends and family. They can have photos of both the younger generations and also people from their own past who have moved away, or passed on. It will encourage them to look at the photos and enjoy the memories of the past and the joys of the present.

The use of WiFi as opposed to using a cable to connect to the Internet router is something of a bonus. There are many elderly people who suffer from slips, trips and falls due to cables not being installed safely. We need also to care for the computer power lead, that there is a suitable power outlet close to the dining table or occasional table they will use for their little computer. Every one of us needs to take care when in a hazardous environment, and a home can often be a hazardous environment for any of us.

Whenever you try and give an older person a gift that involves technology, you will need to spend some time with them explaining how to operate it. It is no good leaving a box with some instructions as fear and phobia can easily get in the way and prevent the older person even opening the box, let alone getting the computer unpacked.

The possibility of them connecting with long-lost friends in nursing and retirement homes will be an added incentive. Not having to go to the post office to get stamps and send mail will be an added bonus. It may be that the costs of an Internet connection will be high, but that will encourage their journey in the 21st century.

A simple interface and an attractive design without a lot of trailing cables and external accessories, make this little box of tricks a very good present for your older relative that will help connect them into today's world of high-technology.