We CAN Learn New Tricks

One of my great sources of inspiration is the way seniors are embracing new technologies. I met 90-year-old Simon Goldenthal when we were on CBC’s The Current. Every day, Simon goes on Facebook to connect with relatives spread all over the world, from B.C. to New Zealand.

In October The Current interviewed Ted Broostad who’s 100 years old and lives on his own in Calgary. About six years ago, his granddaughter talked him into getting a computer. He loves taking digital photos, and every morning he’s on Skype talking to his daughter in Kaslo, B.C.

Then there’s my friend who told me this story about her aunt. “At age 80 she’s taken up keyboard. Her son's girlfriend needed to store her keyboard at her house - so she thought it would be a shame to let it go to waste. She's really good at FreeCell, (the computer solitaire card game), so figured she'd be good at keyboard, too. I love her spirit."