Grandma next to Grandpa... in the computer lab!
Since October 7, 2008, the St. Petersburg regional public Organization "Association of Disabled People, Veterans and Blockade Workers" has been implementing on a voluntary basis a social project for free computer literacy training for elderly people "Grandma-OnLine", "Grandpa-OnLine".
Is the Internet useful for the elderly?
Tatiana Bateneva, News of ScienceActive use of the Internet keeps the brain young even at a very old age.This was established by scientists from the University of California (USA).
Senile dementia, that is, dementia, more often affects those who do not use their brain for its intended purpose. Therefore, doctors recommend elderly people to exercise memory and thinking – to read more, learn poems by heart, solve crosswords, put together complex puzzles. But now grandparents are recommended to actively explore the Internet.
Scientists conducted an experiment: 24 volunteers aged 55 to 76 years were divided into two groups. Half were trained to use the search engines of the Network, the second just read books. Two weeks later it turned out that the "silver users", as scientists dubbed them, showed much better results in tests for intelligence and memory.
– This was confirmed by the magnetic resonance imaging study, – said the head of the study, Dr. Gary Small. – Internet users had much more active brain areas responsible for speech, memory, vision, performing complex analytical tasks. Apparently, their activation is facilitated by the fact that when working on a computer, several systems in the brain are involved at once – visual, analytical, search. And the most important thing is that the brain continued to act with increased activity even after the end of work on the Network.
Experts recommend that elderly people spend at least an hour a day on the Internet. Moreover, it is important not just to scroll through all the sites in a row, but to learn how to search for the necessary information and use it. And for this, elderly people, of course, need to be trained.
In many cities of Russia, such computer literacy schools for the elderly have already been thought of. Pensioners are trained to use utility payment systems via the Internet, receive on-line consultations and other Network features.
For example, in St. Petersburg there is a project "Grandma-OnLine". If you want to become a volunteer and help teach your grandparents the basics of computer literacy, you will be welcome.
From the project's website:On January 27, 2010, the NGO "Association of Disabled People, Veterans and Blockade Runners" was awarded the national award in the field of public relations development "Silver Archer" with the participation of the National Charitable Foundation for the best social project of 2009 in the field of charity.
The project of teaching computer literacy "Grandma-OnLine", "Grandpa-OnLine" is based on solving three problems of our society:
The first problem is the problem of elderly people – information, social isolation and loneliness, difficulties with employment. This problem is caused by the limited mobility of elderly people, difficult access and inability to work with modern means of communication (computer and Internet) and receive the necessary information: legal, social, commercial, political, encyclopedic, etc.
The second problem is the problem of the generation gap. The project solves it by attracting volunteer students to teach the elderly and creating conditions for communication between generations based on the Internet and developing a culture of communication on the Internet.
The third problem is the presence of a stereotype of the initially negative attitude of elderly people to the Internet and the computer, based on rumors about computer exposure and, as a result, deteriorating health, as well as the emergence of dependence on the Internet.
After the presentation of the project, timed to the International Day of the Elderly, with the participation of the media and TV, representatives of district Administrations, the Committee on Social Policy of St. Petersburg, it aroused the exceptional interest of the elderly of St. Petersburg. The number of people willing to study under our project amounted to several thousand people and is constantly increasing. For their training, new computer classes are opened monthly in the districts of St. Petersburg. Currently, 12 free computer classes have been opened, in which more than 100 pensioners of our city study at the same time. In January-February 2010, it is planned to open another 6 classes.
If you want to help the project: computer (spare parts), technical assistance, participate as a volunteer teacher of computer courses, use the following contact details for communication:
(812) 317-85-53, 317-86-67, technical department 575-13-73 (on working days from 11:00 to 16:00),
Project e-mail: aiv-s-pb@ya.ruPortal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru