With the increase in services being put online, being retired is a vital time to learn how to use a computer and the internet. Learning is easy but how should you go about getting started?

In 2007, officials of the British Computer Society reported that the retired had really started to discover the many uses of technology. A survey noted that the retired averaged 42 hours a month on the Internet. However, the society believes older people need access to technical support and education on how they can more usefully incorporate technology into their lives.

The fact alone that computer usage among the retired has increased is a good sign. In 2006, only 28% of those 65 years old and above had access to the Internet compared to a 57% average for all UK households. The computer society notes that increased Internet access has become more important for the retired, in order to gain access to government services (including retirement benefits) and to shop around for the best deals on commercial products and services they may need. If older people cannot use computers and gain access, they may miss out.

Training has to start from the very basic, such as familiarity with the mouse and keyboard, before any user can feel confident enough to advance towards using the Internet and e-mail. The major hurdle that needs to be overcome is older people's tendency to be suspicious of things new.

In the same manner that cars were a necessity for living in the twentieth century, so is the computer in the twenty-first century. The computer is a handy tool to have at your disposal, and while at first it may seem there is so much to learn, once you get started you will quickly grasp skills that will enable you to complete tasks, like shopping for goods online or organising your health records, in an efficient and enjoyable manner. You may find so much use for it you'll wonder how you ever managed without a computer.

It is easy to operate this tool. There are those who suggest that older people have more difficulty learning new technology. You know that is not so. Perhaps you're just more careful about - or intimidated by - it than the young, but you actually have so much of the characteristic most essential to using computers: common sense.

Use Available Resources

Learning to use computers can be accomplished in only one way: learning by doing. You will make mistakes, a lot of them, but so has everyone else. If you want to learn more about using computers, there are many resources you can tap into. Your children or grandchildren are certainly more technologically literate than most people your age, and they would be glad to show you. A co-worker at the office or a neighbour may be of help.

Join computer classes

There should be computer workshops at a location near you where you can learn computer use hands-on. Some organisations provide computer training to people over age 50. This would be convenient for you, as the classes can be limited to about a dozen people and the instructors and tutors are also typically over 50, which makes for a more supportive learning environment.

Read books and magazines

You will find a huge selection of books and magazines at your local bookshop. There are books for beginners and for advanced users. There are books about using the Internet (or making a business through it), programming, and other uses of the computer.

You won't need to know everything when you start using a computer in earnest. Common sense and trial-and-error exploration will help you through. Learning, after all, is a continuing process.

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