With even minimal training, millions of retirees have mastered the technological tool and become as cyber savvy as their grandkids. In fact, more than seven million older Americans surf the web on a regular basis.
Older generations can find many benefits by hitching a ride on the information superhighway.
Seniors also can locate information about government programs, including Medicare and Social Security, check their investments and search recipe banks for a dinner idea. Plus, those with limited mobility can even purchase goods and services from the convenience of home. As chairman of the Senate Aging Committee, I hosted a congressional forum to explore opportunities available to older Americans on the Internet. One participant suggested that retirement communities will showcase advanced Internet hook-ups as heavily as nearby golf courses to attract new residents. I recently visited an adult health center in Cedar Rapids that dedicates space and resources to a computer facility.