Computer/Internet Usage in The Villages
 

Would anyone care to estimate what percentage of residents of TV have personal computers in their homes and use the Internet? My 82 year old father (who does not live in TV and does not have a computer) is convinced that the great majority of people in their golden years do not have computer, and do not use the Internet. I disagree with him.

I don't know anyone who doesn't use email and the Internet. And I know a lot of wrinklies cuz I is one.

Tell you dad even the assisted living facilities have computer access available for the residents.

Why should my dad get a computer? If he wants to order something on line, he calls me. If he wants me to look up something on line, he calls me. :shrug:

I would venture a guess of about 5%. From their perspective, some people are not PC literate and if they got along without using one all these years, what is their incentive to change?

Having worked in the PC industry, you can give the user all the user manuals that are need to resolve easy problems. The minute something doesn't work to perfection, they pick-up the phone to call the helpdesk. The manuals gather dust. Some people rely on other people who know just a tad more, as it's easier to call that person.

It's just the way it is for some people. :shrug: It is a shame as the internet really is an interesting tool for finding solutions to one's problems as well as exploring the web for videos, etc. It can open a whole new world for those who want to know more and do more.

My mother lives with us in The Villages and is 100. (Shh - don't tell her I told because she doesn't want anyone to know.) She is on her computer most of the day. She e-mails, does her banking and investments on line, and surfs the web. She had a delicious casserole when I got home from the airport recently and when I asked where she got the recipe, she said "I googled it!"

I couldn't even guess what the percentages throughout TV would be, but I can tell you that I don't think I've met a single person here that doesn't use the Internet. My neighborhood plans socials and parties through email and as far as I know, everyone in the neighborhood has an email address.

Over 50%
 

According to a study referenced in this report, more than 50% of adults 65 and older use the internet.
Internet adoption | Pew Internet & American Life Project

My experience
 

I run a club of approx. 150 members up to upper 80's YO in age and only 2 or 3 do not have an email addresses...that's how we do business and make our announcements.
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Far be it for me to tell you what to do , but that is one of the wonderful things about The Villages. Finding all the new and wonderful things to do. I have a home I rent out in the winter and everyone who rents it always asks if it has wifi. I don't think I could rent it without it. I must tell you a funny story about the elderly and electronics. I got my mother a cell phone (very simple one)incase she would need to get ahold of me for anything . She would not turn it on or take it with her. I turned it on for her once and it was on vibrate (dad is hard of hearing) when it went off she threw it because she said it was shocking her and never touched it again. Some of the elderly just can't grasp some of these things we use everyday.

god bless your mother !

That is priceless. Bravo for your mom!

Nice story JoJo. You are very, very lucky to have your mother living with you, using e-mail, and googling recipes! Well done!

jojo,

Your mom rocks!

Are you saying that only 5% of TV residents use computers. I disagree strongly. I don't know anyone who doesn't use a computer, even if they don't own one. Thousands who use Ipads, Iphones, netbooks, all internet connected. All the clubs and TV college classes communicate by internet.
I would estimate that about 95% or more of TVers use the internet regularly. I bet there are more computers than golf carts!!
As for getting along without it, I suppose you could get along without a telephone. You could certainly get along without a television. But few do.

I would guess 80% to answer your question.
These are not average people for the most part.
Only other number so far was 5% and I am certain that is too low.
I doubt these statistics will change your father's interest if he simple doesn't want to use it.
IMHO

Dad will be 89 this month. He has a desktop, a laptop, a mini-ipad, and an iphone.

Now, thats amazing!!!!!!!!

I don't have any real statistics, but I believe the percentage of folks "connected" in TV is much greater than the national average. In my opinion, there are several reasons for the connectivity.

No one is from TV. It means they have moved from other places, throughout the world. Once you are away from family and friends, you look for ways to stay connected and the internet is a way to do that via email, texting, Skype, etc... Many of us have moved to various places throughout the country and world, for our work. Therefore, we learned long ago about the power of the internet to stay connected.

If your grandkids are over the age of 10, they probably use the internet to send email and do their homework. Albeit, hopefully, under the watchful eyes of their parents. Our kids are working and raising families. Mine don't always have time to talk on the the phone, but they seem to find time to answer a text message...on their schedule. It might be three hours later, after the grandkids are in bed, but they eventually answer my text message. Look around at how many smartphones you see in TV...

If you play golf, the online tee time reservation system is "almost" a must.

...and who doesn't need a calendar to keep all the daily activities in sync ???

I can safely say that 100% of posters on TOTV have internet access :smiley:

I personally know three people in my area that do not have a PC. One was given a tablet for his birthday but uses it sparingly. And five or six of my golfers friends hae PCs but it is their wives that use them. They want nothing to do with them.

Z

Computer usage
 

I can only speak for our section of homes. We have about 70 homes in our Village and as President I email to 55 of them. Some of the other 15 or so may use the Internet but are not part of our email list.

I am saying that possibly 5% don't touch a computer and are not PC literate. there are some people who don't know or want to do anything that invovles technical abilities.

OK, sorry, I misunderstood you. I agree with you.

I would tend to believe a pretty high percentage of Villagers have computers & use the internet.

Think about it, how did most folks INITIALLY find out about The Villages? I would guess that a whole lot did thru the internet, at least in the past 10-15 years or so. I know I did. But the first time I opened The Villages website & the music started playing I immediately recognized it from hearing it a lot on a local radio station. I had never really paid any attention to the radio ad though, and had never done any research online based on hearing the ad. An MSN headline about the fastest growing communities in the US, despite the recession & housing bust, was what first introduced me to TV.

GOD Bless your mom. That is so cool. To be 100 and still staying mentally active, You are blessed to have her with you. May you have many more years to enjoy her company. :smiley:

Your dad is a well connected gentleman! I think it's great that he has embraced so much technology!

In my old neighborhood, "being connected", has a different meaning. :smiley:

It's so great to be invovled in tecnology for people who want to stay on top of things and be hip!!!!

GOD Bless your 89 year old dad.

If my Mother was still around, she'd be doing the same at that age. :laugh: