Technology for the Ages
Karilea Rilling Jungel
We know our children and their children are surrounded by
technology, day in, day out. But so are we. We don’t always realize it when we
handle our cell or smart phones, iPods or iPad, Kindle, Nook, the monitors that
hook us up wirelessly to heart monitors that are read by physician miles away.
We don’t recognize that we are engaged in technology and turn on the television
– even if we have several remotes for the various instruments all attached to
the TV. We almost take it for granted. But this very communications system
streams out far and ahead of us, touching all aspects of life, from the moment
you wake until you again close your eyes. And even then, your house is
surrounded with waves of wireless magic.
Eaglecrest Retirement Community
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Back Row: Dennis & Janette Fulton and Regina Marcotte, Activity
Coordinator
Front Row: Helen Fulton, Ruth Zier, Ed Fisher and Betty Lemley
Photo by KRJ
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I met with four residents who shared how they perceive their
“toys” of technology. Helen Fulton, 92, a retired minister’s wife, brought in
her son Dennis and his wife Janette. “My husband was 75 when he first got
involved with a computer for church needs. We did email, but we struggled
putting our church bulletin together.” Dennis adds that “I’ve been in computer
technology since the early days. We were missionaries in Africa. We used
computers in Africa as early as 1982, utilizing programs in order to
communicate over an HF radio to send emails back and forth, completely
revolutionizing people’s lives. We were my parents’ cheerleaders; we knew how
it would help them.”
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Helen Fulton
Photo by KRJ
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Eventually, Helen’s husband lost interest in computers, but
then “Mom picked it up,” said Dennis.
Helen excitedly says “I play spider solitaire! But I do look
things up, especially Dennis’ website, where he shares his church services; I
get to hear him and see him preach every Sunday.” She admits that prior to
computers communication while in Africa took several weeks to get letters,
messages back and forth. “Today I get to see them [the children] on Facebook.
My great-grandchildren are in California, Idaho and Georgia. I talk to
everyone!”
Ruth Zier, 85, has received a tablet as a gift. “I Google.
When I was at the Salina Journal, I used information for the obituaries. Most
of my friends like Facebook and I use that to send pictures to friends.” She also
wants to learn how to take the pictures and put them in a gallery.
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Ed Fisher
Photo by KRJ
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Resident Ed Fisher, 88, started working with computers in
1970, when they filled a room. He worked at John’s Hopkins University Applied
Physics Laboratory as an Electronics Engineer in data processing, “…working
with IBM cards and punch tape, which all evolved. In the 70’s I went to IBM
PC’s, something practical, with its floppy 7” square discs.” Ed retired in
1992. He now uses two computers and a tablet. He links himself to sites for
daily devotionals, professional organizations, and sites like Kim Commando, and
maintains that security is a key element. “They look at your email list and
pretty soon, hackers have harvested something from your computer.” He is very
concerned that people should remain current with security for any technical
device they utilize.
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Betty Lemley
Photo by KRJ
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Betty Lemley, 88, has a smart phone and an air iPad. “I’m
delighted we have a computer class that we’ve started. I began with computers
back in the ‘80’s and literally wore out two desk tops. I was a professional
student and did a lot of articles for writing, articles for classes and
history. I also do a lot of genealogy, gathering a lot of information for my
family.”
All four residents maintain that it is very important that
proprietary property be given to your children properly. Ed Fisher advises
“Kids need to know how to shut down your systems. You will need to leave your
passwords with someone, probably tucked into your estate matters, so that
people who pay bills on line can have them properly shut down…later.”
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