Embracing Technology During Retirement

Baby Boomers seem to have a love-hate relationship with technology.  Many of us purchased our first home computers in the 90’s with the thought that our kids would use them for educational purposes and we would spend time browsing the internet.  Little did we know that we would soon be expected to incorporate technology into our careers which was intimidating and frustrating to many.  My opinion has always been to embrace it - it’s not going away.  If we don’t, we will become more frustrated as the world changes around us and we don’t change with it.  Case in point - either learn to work the kiosk at the airport to tag your luggage or be prepared to stand in line at curbside check-in (sometimes in the cold).

Several years ago on one of my many trips downstate to spend time with my mom in the nursing home, I stopped and picked up a router to install in my parents’ home so that I could use my iPad to enter grades for my students during the weekend.  I had been thinking about getting my dad an iPad to keep him occupied during the many hours he sat by my mother’s side.  Knowing my father’s curiosity with technology, I was certain the device would spark a little interest.  As I installed the router, my 80 something year old father says, “What’s that and what are you doing?”  After explaining the concept of wifi, I opened my iPad and soon my dad was leaning over my shoulder with “What’s that?  Can I see it?”  Within a few minutes, there was an iPad on it’s way to his home from Apple.

Watching an 80+ year old teach himself (for the most part) how to use an iPad, master a Smartphone, and download novels to a Kindle verifies my belief that we are all capable of learning new information no matter what our age.  Embracing technology during retirement can be fun and can help connect us with our kids and grandkids.  Here are some ways technology can be a friend during retirement:

• Pictures of family.  Remember years ago when we scheduled photo sessions for our kids, waited for the photos to be developed, paid a handsome price for enough copies for grandparents, aunts and uncles, and then either shipped them off or gave them away for Christmas?  Social media like Instagram, Facebook, and SnapChat allows us to see an abundance of photos instantly.  We can save photos to our electronic devices and send them off for prints that will be sent to us before we have a chance to buy frames (I use Mpix).  I love that my kids text me photos of Carson and Dominic on a regular basis.  Technology is a natural part of the world our kids and grandkids live in.  Becoming a part of that world is a great way to build connections.     

• Trips!  Anyone recall the way we used to book trips?  Call the airline, get prices, wait for the tickets to arrive.  We had to visit a travel agent and look through books and brochures.  Now we can get a plethora of information from dozens of websites.  A website like Trip Advisor can help us book trips and choose restaurants or plan activities.  It’s also fun to write reviews of the places we have visited for other travelers.  Going on a road trip?  We can use the GPS on our Smartphones instead of muddling our way through the countryside.   

• Shopping.  Amazon is my go-to for anything that may or may not exist.   You can find just about anything on Amazon.  For those of us who are not fans of the crowds and confusion on Black Friday, we can do most of our Christmas shopping online (get a PayPal account).  If you like to shop for unique and creative gifts for friends, family or even yourself, visit Etsy.       

• A chance to be creative.  Pinterest is a great place to visit for creative inspiration.  The recipe I used to create dozens of jars of cinnamon pear butter for Kristina’s baby shower came from Pinterest.  I got a lot of ideas for the graphic tea towels I created for family and friends from Pinterest.    

For those of us who are already comfortable with technology, kudos.  Anyone out there struggling a bit, ask your kids for help or just play around with it until you feel more comfortable.  I still can’t figure out how to animate photos on Snapchat, but I’m never too proud to ask for help!  For now I will just let the kids send me funny photos and I will comment on them!