Anyone Know the Answer?

[Etienne]

It is so enjoyable to belong to the FL and spend time posting back and forth, and I'm wondering if anyone knows if there is a similar kind of site that would be good for elderly folks? My mother-in-law is in her mid-eighties and is very active, sharp-minded, etc. but almost all of her firends have passed on and it is becoming a bit lonely for her. If she had a place like this to engage in reminiscing and chatting with folks out there I think it would be really good for her. She's quite into geneology, football (esp. UCLA!), education, talking about the good old days, and sharing stories of her younger years. Any thoughts how I might help her find such a site?

Thanks for any help--Etienne

 

[Absinthe_1900]

You might point her toward this magazine:

http://www.reminisce.com/

You can find at the usual large bookstores out there.

 

[scotrace]

Actually,

Here.
My in-laws would LOVE the FL. And would have much to contribute. But they have a lot of trouble with computer stuff. I don't think they could figure out the navigation.

Do you think she would like it here? We have members from teenagers to well into their 70's.

 

[MelissaAnne]

Reminisce magazine is wonderful. I know she would enjoy it. But I also think she'd enjoy it here, too!

 

[RedPop4]

Look on your local newspaper website, as well.
I know NOLA.com here in New Orleans is the website for The Times-Picayune and there are forums for every conceivable topic from current sports teams (LSU, Saints, Tulane, Zephyrs, Prep Sports), insurance and rebuilding issues, to nostalgia forums.

Many threads start out...."Anyone remember X store or Y restaurant in Z neighborhood?"

 

[Etienne]

These are all great leads, thanks to each one of you! I can ask and see how she'd feel about this site--she's quite good on the computer, so it wouldn't be a problem for her. I've seen the magazine Reminisce--very enjoyable reading! I'm on it..

 

[Pilgrim]

What I've found is that people need a REASON to learn how to use a computer. The trick is to show them what it can do for them.

There are thousands of special interst forums and discussion groups on the web. It's a great way for people who are place-bound to interact with others and become members of a "virtual community".

It might help to do a bit of navigating to the site (and other sites of interest) and demonstrate how easy it is to interact.

Example: way back when, my wife had never used a web browser. I was trying to convince her that it was worth learning. I had an idea. I said:

"Tell me something you'd like to learn more about."

Her answer: "I'd like to learn more about quilting."

I typed in the word Quilting in the search box, hit enter, and after the screen filled, I showed her how to click a link and back up to the search list. Then I walked out of the room.

She didn't emerge for more than an hour, and when she did, she understood what was in it for her.

 

[Etienne]

You are a very wise man, Pilgrim!--Etienne

 

[Mike in Seattle]

What I've found is that people need a REASON to learn how to use a computer. The trick is to show them what it can do for them.

That's exactly what I've found when I teach internet & computer classes at the library. The library system has this course laid out as to what we should teach and how it's to be taught...and that's fine with maybe 7-10 in something of a classroom setting. But since they're free classes, 10 sign up and maybe 2 actually show up, and usually seniors. So I usually do just like you. "OK, this is the browser, you can do this & that - the handouts give you more info on that - but what topic would you like to learn more about? OK, here's how you search, these are links..." I figure if I stuck to how the powers that be think it should be taught (servers, ISP's, wired vs. wireless LAN's, IM'ing, how the Internet was set up, etc.), I'm going to lose them. Too much information, and not the type of information they're really need to know to use a computer. And then I just answer questions or make comments about things they've found and even though the "class" ends 30-45 minutes before the library's supposed to close, they librarians practically have to drag them out kicking and screaming.

 

[Benny Holiday]

Etienne, we'd love to have your Mother-in-Law join us here

I could only imagine that so many FL members would love to hear about her reminiscences and interests and discuss everything from how to do a 40's hairstyle to their favourite football team with her.

Not all of us here necessarily share the love of all thing vintage, but a heck of a lot do. Often, it seems to me, a lot of us feel like we belong more to your Mother-in-law's generation than our own. I certainly feel that way whenever I hear of another Golden Era entertainer passing away, or I go attend an ANZAC Day march. A lot of the time, I can relate more to people fifty years older than me than I can to someone in their early thirties!

 

[skinnychik]

Geez, if she wants someone to talk to have her send a message to me. I'd love to read her stories and pick her brain on how she actually managed those fab hairstyles on a regular basis.

 

[shoeshineboy]

What I've found is that people need a REASON to learn how to use a computer. The trick is to show them what it can do for them.

There are thousands of special interst forums and discussion groups on the web. It's a great way for people who are place-bound to interact with others and become members of a "virtual community".

It might help to do a bit of navigating to the site (and other sites of interest) and demonstrate how easy it is to interact.

Example: way back when, my wife had never used a web browser. I was trying to convince her that it was worth learning. I had an idea. I said:

"Tell me something you'd like to learn more about."

Her answer: "I'd like to learn more about quilting."

I typed in the word Quilting in the search box, hit enter, and after the screen filled, I showed her how to click a link and back up to the search list. Then I walked out of the room.

She didn't emerge for more than an hour, and when she did, she understood what was in it for her.

i tried that with my wife and the kitchen....an hour later, she emerged into the room i was in, all dressed up and was ready to go out to dinner !!!

mark the shoeshine boy

 

[Etienne]

One thing about older people is that they can be quite opinionated and blunt, and my mother-in-law is no exception! I asked her yesterday about this idea of finding a website she might want to join in on and she turned me down FLAT!! (So much for good intentions!) She said she wants to interact with "real, live human beings--not folks on the internet!" [huh] I tried to explain to her about the FL and she rolled her eyes like it was the dumbest thing she had ever heard of! What a shame. But I have to respect her decision. I'll have to just post things she recalls from the 20's-on if they are useful in any of the forums, I guess. Thanks to all of you who welcomed her, nonetheless--this is a warm and gracious lounge!--Etienne