Dial-A-Ride: Eureka service takes people where they need to go

Eureka council to explore Dial-A-Ride issues

The Web? It's not for kids anymore!

Giving up the car keys?

Universally Designed Homes

Hey, Red Baron, how's the fishin' at the Whistler?

Boomers, did we wake you up?

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The session I enjoyed most was when Mary Furlong, CEO of Third Age Media, Inc., and a panel of Third Agers (older adults) shared how their lives have been transformed by the Internet. This is how and why they got on-line:

J. Gentry (in her 50s) started her own web page to share her hobbies with friends and family members around the world.

E. Rose (65 years old) uses Global Village Senior Net and National Family of Caregivers. Her husband has had Multiple Sclerosis for many years and she is his primary caregiver. The Internet has been helpful as a resource, as well as a source of respite for her. They are now in the process of getting adaptive equipment for her husband so that he can access the Internet, too.

Harland (76 years old) uses the map directory regularly. He used the Internet to help plan and get in touch with classmates for his 45th high school reunion, uses chat rooms frequently and explores new hobbies. The web site for Mayo Clinic has been helpful to him. He recently bought a new computer on line and was able to comparison shop on line first.

Elizabeth (in her 70s) went to a computer camp a few years ago (with a bunch of kids) to learn how to use the computer. She now e-mails her grandchildren and many friends regularly. She has used the Third Age site for "travelocity." She does financial investing on line and did her taxes on line this year (returned in two weeks). She has done a lot of genealogy research on the Internet and recently wrote her autobiography. She says she most enjoys "surfing."

Paul (in his 60s) got on line originally with a free CompuServe offer. He recently posted his resume on line when he was job hunting and learned that there is a site that can match skills and preferences with job opportunities. As it turns out, he found a job in the paper.

Mary Furlong (in her 50s) talked about Web TV-a keyboard connected to your TV for about $300+ which allows Internet access. She recently "connected" her mother, who enjoys being able to keep in touch with relatives in Europe regularly, but Mary hasn't been able to convince her mother there are uses other than e-mail.

They recommended these books-Being Digital and Young at Heart. Mary Furlong is the Founder of Senior Net and CEO of Third Age Media, Inc. Her e-mail address is mary@thirdage.com.

Claudia Padilla is Manager of Information Systems for the Social Services Department at the Humboldt Senior Resource Center.

One-time article Copyright 1998 by Humboldt Senior Resource Center.