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When I help people with technology, much of our time goes toward fixing something. A printer won’t print, a password doesn’t work, or a phone has decided to behave in a mysterious new way. It’s easy to forget that these devices can also bring us books, classes, entertainment and opportunities to connect.
For this column, I want to focus on some of those possibilities, especially for older adults. You don’t need the newest phone or advanced computer skills to get started. Often, you just need to know where to look.
Start close to home
The Marblehead Council on Aging is a good first stop. Its monthly newsletter is available through the town’s website, marbleheadma.gov/coa.
If you haven’t looked lately, you may be surprised by the variety of activities and services. The COA offers creative arts, fitness, recreation, educational opportunities, transportation and other support. You don’t have to wait until you need help to explore what’s available.
Reading the newsletter online lets you browse at your own pace. Find something interesting? Write down the details or call the COA at 781-631-6225 to ask questions. Technology can help you discover an opportunity; a conversation can help you take the next step.
Put your library card to work
Your library card opens more doors than you might realize, including some you can walk through without leaving home.
Visit abbotlibrary.org and look for its digital content. Through Libby, you can borrow ebooks and audiobooks on a phone or tablet. Hoopla offers additional options, including movies, music and other digital media.
An ebook can be especially convenient because you can enlarge the print. An audiobook gives your eyes a rest and can provide company while you cook, knit or relax. Borrowing rules and availability vary by service, but these resources are worth exploring before paying for another subscription.
If getting started feels confusing, ask the library for help. You don’t have to figure it out alone. For residents who have difficulty getting to the library, Abbot Library and the COA also have a home delivery program. Ask whether it might be useful for you or someone you know.
Learn something new
Senior Planet, at seniorplanet.org, offers free online classes designed for older adults. Its offerings include technology instruction and opportunities to explore other interests.
Perhaps you want to feel more comfortable with your smartphone, understand an unfamiliar technology or try an online class. Browse the schedule and choose something that interests you.
Some classes take place live through Zoom. If you haven’t used Zoom, learning how to join a session is a useful first project. Ask someone to practice with you beforehand, so the class itself doesn’t become an exercise in finding the microphone button.
There’s no requirement to become a technology expert. Learning one useful thing is a perfectly good goal.
Make your screen easier to use
Sometimes the obstacle isn’t the website. It’s the tiny print.
Phones and tablets have settings to enlarge text, and computer browsers let you zoom in on a webpage. On many Windows browsers, hold Ctrl and press the plus key; on a Mac, hold Command and press plus. Use the minus key with the same modifier to reduce the size again.
Making the page larger may mean more scrolling, but that’s often a worthwhile trade. You don’t get extra credit for squinting.
Save the good things you find
Once you discover a useful website, save it as a bookmark or favorite. Think of this as putting a tab on a page you want to revisit.
You can also add many websites to a phone or tablet’s home screen, creating a shortcut that looks much like an app. The steps vary by device and browser, so ask for help if needed.
A small collection of shortcuts—to the COA newsletter, library resources and Senior Planet—can make these opportunities easier to use. Give them recognizable names so you don’t have to remember which unfamiliar icon leads where.
Let an online discovery lead somewhere
These resources can bring learning and entertainment into your home. They can also help you find reasons to get out: a class, an activity or a conversation with someone who shares your interests.
That connection matters. Here in Marblehead, the COA provides opportunities and support that depend on people as well as technology.
I serve on the board of the Friends of the Marblehead Council on Aging, which raises funds to support the COA’s programs and services. With our annual appeal coming up, I hope you’ll consider contributing. I also encourage you to explore what the COA offers, whether for yourself, a neighbor or a family member.
Your next useful discovery might begin on a screen and lead to something right here in town.
Marblehead resident Theresa Milewski runs All Computers Great and Small, providing friendly, local tech support and tutoring for Marblehead and surrounding residents. A teacher of technology for more than 30 years, she works with people of all levels, from complete beginners to advanced users, bringing patient, personalized tech help directly to people’s homes or small businesses.
