Ever since humans and their ancestors invented the very first tools more than three million years ago, technology has been a part of our lives.
From writing and numbers, the printing press and steam engine, the telegraph through to the “information age” with the development of computers, the internet, social media, and artificial intelligence now prevail. While the latter generations are mostly born into it the change, members of the older generations have to keep and adapt. Many do, some fall behind
That’s not the case for Côte Saint-Luc’s Joy Haas, a 72-year-old nurse, who says she has embraced technology from the get-go, learning along the way and enjoying all the benefits that these advancements had to offer. “When I raised my kids, I used to say, ‘I can guide you, but you have to figure it out for yourself,’ so when we first got into computers, my kids said, ‘Mom, remember: you have to figure it out for yourself.’ They never helped me in the beginning,” Haas said with a chuckle. “I can be stubborn and determined. I will sit until three in the morning to figure something out. I won’t give up.”
The same goes for Catherine Rahal, a 76-year-old retired financial advisor from or Notre-Dame-de-Grâce. “My interest in technology began when I bought a computer in the early 1990s, and I got it home and the floppy drive wouldn’t work,” Rahal explained. “So, I opened it up and I got it to work. Or I could use the mouse or the keyboard but not at the same time, and it took nine hours, but I got it fixed. I’m very persistent in that way. I just ended up self-educating over the years.”
Joy Haas and Catherine Rahal.
Photos: Courtesy Joy Haas and Catherine Rahal
She has also taken apart and put together a desktop computer. Today, she has all the bells and whistles when it comes to gadgets, from a cell phone and tablet to an Apple Mac Mini and an Apple watch.
Haas, who also loves using a range of devices, said a big reason she stayed on top of technological improvements was because she was a big fan of going paperless. “I’m very conscious of the environment, and going paperless was the start of me being really serious about technology,” she said. “I just kept playing around until I figured it out. I’m not a genius but I’m certainly very comfortable with it.”
Haas and Rahal aren’t the only seniors who are utilizing the available technology out there. According to Statistics Canada, in 2022, approximately 82.6 per cent of Canadian seniors (aged 65 and older) used the internet, with 72 per cent of those 75 and older also online. This translates to a significant number of connected seniors, as Statistics Canada projects the population aged 65 and over could reach nearly 12 million by 2051, meaning technology use among seniors is only becoming more prevalent.
Seniors choose to use technology for a myriad of reasons. It’s a way for them to stay connected and in touch with long-distance friends and family. This could be extremely beneficial to those who are lonely and isolated, or who live in more remote areas. Learning how to type and manoeuvre a mouse can be good exercises in hand-eye coordination and fine motor skill tuning. Apps or websites that offer things like interactive games and puzzles can be useful for cognitive brain function. It can be used for practical applications, such as setting reminders to take medications or go to an appointment. Smart home technology can ease independent living – you can set the thermostat or alarm remotely from a device.
E-books and streaming services can provide endless entertainment options. Trackers and fall detection bracelets can offer lifesaving uses, especially for those who have limited mobility or suffer from any kind of dementia. All in all, it can empower older people because they’re learning something new and becoming part of a broader community of people (technology users).
Frederic Aubuchon is launching a new venture called SeniorTech, an education platform that is geared specifically towards seniors and teaches them about a wide range of technology applications, from navigating email to surfing the web, managing social media accounts, and using their cell phones.
Photo: Getty Images / LaylaBird
“There are so many seniors who are curious and want to know more,” he said. “If you didn’t grow up with technology, you don’t understand the curve. Seniors want to know how to use social media on a base level and they want to explore more of their features. The basics that we think are day to day are groundbreaking for them when they learn it. And when they do, they can finally share all those things that they see. It’s about putting them onto the most optimal things that we use every day. This is something that is brand new to them.”
He added, “I do a lot of password resets, too. A lot.”
In addition to teaching seniors how to manage their own digital logistics, Aubuchon said he’s answering a bigger need of helping seniors understand technology at its core. “There are a lot of isolation many seniors face with technology, and it’s important to bridge the digital divide that exists. There are so many positives, and good things that come out of teaching seniors about technology.”
“I fight aging all the time, and I’m always in denial,” Haas admitted. “I’m forever at the gym and dieting. I knew I would eventually need technology for work, but now I cannot imagine my life without iPads, iPhones, and tablets.”
“There is so much stuff out there,” Rahal said. “There needs to be continued education for seniors and technology. We can’t live adequately without internet access anymore. It’s a must.” n