Heritage Village Retirement Campus senior residents receive a new Dell touch screen computer for their library.  Funding for the computer was made possible through a donation made to the organization by the Ohio Conference of Free Methodist Churches.

Nationwide the use of computers and the internet are gaining popularity among the 65 year and older generation.  These technologies give seniors information at their fingertips in a matter of seconds, allow them to be informed and engaged citizens and most importantly can bring them in close contact with family members who may no longer live nearby.

Administrator of the Retirement Campus, Becky LeBaron was excited to obtain the new computer for the library’s use.  She shared, “Some individuals can have problems with hand-eye coordination, having a difficult time with maneuvering the mouse on a computer.  The new touch screen computer is much more user friendly – they just touch the icon on the screen to navigate where they want to be.  This new computer really puts technology in the user’s hand!”

Mary Stevens and Zina Rennells, two seniors who reside at the Retirement Campus, meet every morning in the library to use the computers and check their email.  During their morning routine both women are able to get caught up on the latest news, make their own birthday cards for friends, while also checking messages and updates from their family members and local church.

Mrs. Stevens has enjoyed the new use of the touch screen computer.  It offers her a much larger and flatter screen increasing the visibility and clarity when working on the computer.  She also has the option to use the traditional mouse to select commands or by using her fingers she can easily and quickly touch the screen and select her choice and action.  A built in “web cam” gives seniors the ability to use Skype to do video conferences with family members.

Mrs. Stevens commented, “It is different than the computers we have been working with.  This one has so much to offer, every day I am learning something new.”

Touch screen computers are helping to bring the benefits of computer use to more seniors.  Their user friendly screens are bridging the gap that can sometimes separate seniors with this form of technology.  Seniors no longer have to worry about the click of a mouse, now right at their fingertips they can be connected to news, information, fun games, along with staying in contact with their family and friends.

Pictured: Mary Stevens, Retirement Campus Senior using new touch screen computer