Net gain from retirement

By Fred Redwood
Posted: 2010/07/07

FRED REDWOOD explores retirement developments that are at the cutting edge of the computer age

ADVERTISERS would have us believe computers and video game consoles are purely for the young but visit any modern retirement home and you will find that the elderly are also adept at the latest technology. What is more, they are experiencing enormous benefits.

"Using technology keeps people stimulated," says Helen Petrie, professor of human computer interaction at the University of York.

"It enables them to keep in touch with families and friends and feel less marginalised."

Dr Philip Johnston, 85, and his wife Khirstine, 79, are residents at Audley's retirement home at Clevedon, north Somerset where there are 98 apartments and houses ranging in price from £249,000 to £575,000 and both have benefi ted from their laptop.

"I'm a member of a walking group and we take it in turns to organise walks," says Khirstine. "The computer enables me to plot the route and get in touch with the other members. It is a very convenient link to life outside."

The days when the information super highway was anathema to the over 60s are long gone. Doug Warren, the general manager at Audley estimates that about 80 per cent of residents have their own computers.

All the apartments have broadband connection and there are communal computers in the hobbies room. Mr Warren says: "Many residents
are keen on internet shopping and we have a book club and members research books online before they discuss them at meetings."

Teaching IT skills can be demanding so checking out the quality of computer tuition is a good litmus test of a retirement home's staff. "The main problem is that some residents have already tried to learn from family members and failed," says Chris Ryatt. Mr Ryatt helps residents with their computer skills at Richmond Villages' home in Northamptonshire. "The trick is to allow residents to get hands-on experience of the keyboard."

He thinks that most of the 50 independent living apartments on site, which vary in price between £195,000 for a one-bed and £345,000 for a two-bed, have computers. He gets around to all of them at least once a week to check how the residents are getting on. Assisted-living flats at Richmond Villages are available from £145,000.

The financial benefi ts of being computer literate now mean that all reputable retirement homes should make a serious attempt to offer basic IT tuition.

The residents in the 39 apartments at Churchill Retirement Living's sheltered home at Hampton Lodge, Surrey, enjoy the security of an emergency care line and the help of lodge manager Terry Lebby who has also taken on the role of computer coach.

"Three residents are already computer literate, another three are learning and many more are expressing an interest," says Mr Lebby at Hampton Lodge where there are eight one-bedroomed apartments for sale at between £200,000 and £265,000.

"Some residents want the best deals for holidays so they have signed up for internet classes."

Nobody, however, has benefi ted more than Brian Davies, 72, who has had a leg amputated recently.

"Learning about my condition from websites has been a benefit," he says.

"Using the internet is also a more stimulating way of passing the time now I cannot get out."

Professor Petrie points out there are physical as well as mental benefits to using new technology.

"Using a keyboard helps with dexterity," she says. "It is also good for boosting self-esteem."

The Nintendo Wii console is popular at some homes. Once a week at Richmond Villages a class of superannuated air guitar heroes play the game Rock Band and another group attends a Wii keep-fit class in which fi tness levels are assessed before the group copies on-screen exercises. 

MORE INFORMATION:
Audley: audleyretirement.co.uk, 01784 457 615.
Richmond Villages: richmond-villages.com, 01604 432 600.
Churchill Retirement Living: churchillretirement.co.uk, 01425 462 100.