SunSailorMature8-23-12 by Sun Newspapers

A Special Section Highlighting Senior Lifestyles This month’s focus: Technology

iSeniors learn iTech at Shorewood Community iCenter BY EMILY HEDGES CONTRIBUTING WRITER When Kristi Anderson, director of Southshore Community Center in Shorewood, thought about what technology classes to offer its seniors, one letter came to mind: “i”. “They were to bring in anything “i” – iPod, iPad, iPhone” said Anderson. “We give them the basics of how to use them and allow them to experiment. We want them to realize they’re not going to break it.” The class titled “Everything I Tech” was held at the community center on July 27, a class that is sure to be repeated in the future, according to Anderson. “It’s very important to us to program events for all ages,” said Anderson. “Many seniors were asking questions about new technology. It can be a little scary and overwhelming, but it’s an important way to stay in contact.” Linda Verner, a baby boomer from Deephaven, took the class to become Apple literate and to update the way she operates her home business. “My husband got me an iPad for Christmas that I hope to use for my quilting business,” she said. “My children whipped through how to use it so fast, it was hard for me to pick up,” she said. Verner is also looking for part-time employment and knows the more tech-

From left, Penny Trunnel of Shorewood, Dorothy Hallin of St. Bonifacius and Loretta Holscher of Tonka Bay get some inside tips on how to use their “i” products during the “Everything ‘i’” class July 27 at the Southshore Community Center. (Photo by Chris Dillmann – Sun Newspapers) nology training she has the better. “I wanted to increase my skills and keep up with today’s technology,” she

said. “It was a good class, very informative. We all said we would like to do it a second time just to increase our

skills to see where we can go from ITECH: TO NEXT PAGE

2 Mature LIfestyles – Thursday, August 23, 2012

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iTech FROM PREVIOUS PAGE there.” Loretta Holscher, 65, who serves on the Tonka Bay City Council, says she has always embraced new technology and attended the class in hopes of learning new ways to use her iPad. “I mostly offered some suggestions to others, but I liked the opportunity for people to get together and exchange ideas to get the most out of the new technology. It was very worthwhile,” she said. Holscher said she would like to see a class in the future that is targeted at learning to use iPad applications. “I have a cousin who got an iPad just for Facetime,” said Holscher. “Now that she can see her grandkids, life is a different story for her. People don’t often share the same communities like in the past. We’re off in all parts of the planet, but this technology makes it so much easier to communicate.” Dorothy Hallin, 73, of St. Bonifacius

The class featured the ins and outs of all the Apple products. (Photo by Chris Dillmann – Sun Newspapers)

doesn’t have an iPad yet, but thinks the purchase might be in her future. She took the Everything I Tech class to find out more about what it could do.

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“I did learn a lot of things, but there’s a lot more I need to learn,” she said. “It’s amazing all the kinds of things you can do – playing games, doing email, and using

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Skype,” said Hallin. “So many people have them now a days. I just thought maybe I should get one.” Although Hallin calls the technology a little intimidating, she isn’t letting it stop her. “I’m not too anxious to get real involved in it. I don’t store music or anything on my computer, but I just think the iPad would be nice. I read a lot and I know you can also get books on it,” she said. Helping residents like Hallin is exactly what Anderson hopes to accomplish with the community center’s offerings. “We have an advisory group that looks at new and interesting programming for seniors and youth and everyone in between,” said Johnson. “It’s important to us to stay cutting edge and give them information that is relevant and makes them want to continue to learn.” For more information on Southshore Community Center programs, including future technology offerings, go to www. Southshore-center.org or call (952) 474-7635. Southshore Community Center is located at 5735 Country Club Road in Shorewood.

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Three ways new technology can make your home life easier New technology in your home can sometimes leave you feeling overwhelmed by gizmos and gadgets. But if you choose your technology wisely, you can simplify your domestic life rather than clutter your living space with products you don’t use. Here are three simple ways technology can help you streamline your home: Control Atmosphere The ability to control your environment is vital to one’s comfort level. You may already have a programmable thermostat, but did you know that the latest models come with Wi-Fi, allowing you to control your home’s climate from your mobile device? Not only that, modern thermostat models are so smart, they learn your living patterns and set a schedule for you accordingly.

Improve Communication Everyone is quick to jump at the latest mobile devices when they become available, but when was the last time you updated your landline telephone? New developments in landline technology are making your home phone easier and more convenient to use. Consider swapping out your older telephone in favor of a modern device with high functionality. For example, some new models allow you to make and receive cell phone calls using your cordless telephone system via Bluetooth technology — whether or not you have landline service. You can even transfer contacts from your mobile phone to the cordless handset so you can easily dial your stored numbers. Synching a mobile phone with your landline allows you to place your cell anywhere in the house that provides the best reception and still

roam freely on your landline’s cordless handset. You’ll also have far better sound quality and peace of mind knowing you won’t miss an important call. Outsource Chores Getting your family to help out around the house isn’t much fun when it means verbal nagging. But online chore charts can help parents motivate their kids to take responsibility. Completed chores are tracked digitally, and you can connect tasks to allowance and rewards — providing clear incentives through a familiar, palatable medium. There are many options out there, so find the one that works best for you and your family. For a streamlined, comfortable household, incorporate new technologies into your home life strategically and watch your life get easier.

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4 Mature LIfestyles – Thursday, August 23, 2012

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‘Oldest’ teacher helps seniors master computers BY EMILY HEDGES – CONTRIBUTING WRITER Don’t let Sue Mach fool you. The Maple Grove resident may describe herself as the “oldest and moldiest computer teacher around,” but she knows her stuff. She could build a computer from the ground up if she had to; she can out techtalk any 20-something around; but what she really enjoys is teaching older adults — in laymen’s terms – about computers, a subject close to her heart for almost 40 years. Mach, 62, has a degree in business education, and began her teaching career on her 22nd birthday. “I taught shorthand and typing. Word processing was the next logical progression. I was in the right place at the right time,” she said. In 1974, Mach was in the first group of teachers licensed by the State of Minnesota to teach word processing. In 1981 IBM came out with the first business computers, so in 1983 Mach began her

Sue Mach talks with her students in a recent class at North Hennepin Community College. (Photo by Katy Zillmer – Sun Newspapers) own computer training company, Mach2 Enterprises, which celebrates its 30th anniversary next year.

“I’ve been doing this a lot of years, and I’ve seen a lot of changes,” said Mach. She recalls how her husband’s

employer fought getting computers in the early days, calling them a gadget that would run its course. “They didn’t embrace them at all. But they are everywhere, whether you like them or not.” In addition to teaching in corporate America, she has taught at North Hennepin Community College for the past 10 years. She says that many of her students are older adults, many of which are 50-plus who have lost jobs and are trying to reenter the workforce. Others are just trying to keep up with the changing world of technology. “With the older age group, the biggest issue is getting the right setup,” she said. “Isn’t it funny though that even with all the changes, we still primarily use the same old typewriter keyboard.” Mach believes her success teaching boomers and seniors starts with the fact that she is one of them. “I’m a little old lady. I’m their age, so they can relate,” she said. “When I teach, it seems to come out in laymen’s language, which makes people feel comfortable.” She also believes in having fun in class. “We laugh a lot and learn a lot,” she said. “My goal is to make my students feel comfortable with the technology.” Mach keeps up with changing technology by reading books, searching the Internet, subscribing to newsletters and magazines, and playing with new software. “Once I learned the core, everything else is building on it,” she said. While she believes that people probably spend too much times these days on the Internet, she is amazed at the information that is available. “I can find an answer to any computer question. We’re benefiting from a lot of info out there,” she said. Once when she was speaking at a conference on social media, she demonstrated the point that you can find anything these days on You Tube by typing in “brain surgery.” “There were actually instructions on MACH: TO PAGE 6

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Mach

Sue Mach works with a computer at North Hennepin Community College.

FROM PAGE 4 how to do it,” she said. Although Mach views computers as primarily a business tool, she loves how you can use them to stay in contact with out-of-state loved ones. “When my kids went away to school, in addition to email, I needed to hear their voice to know if they were having a bad day. Now with videos, to see them is awesome,” she said. “Our grandchildren are not strangers to us. We spend enough time on Facetime and Skype. Those tools are awesome to stay in touch with these tykes.” She also points out how cost-effective it is to video chat with family on the computer. “It’s cheap. It’s not a long-distance phone call. Once you’ve got your technology, you don’t pay additional costs,” she said. Helping adults reach a comfort level with new technology is something Mach hopes to continue for many years, and lesson number one will always be that computers are merely a tool and nothing to be afraid of. “People can be too intimidated. I take the

(Photo by Katy Zillmer – Sun Newspapers)

approach that having a computer is like driving a car; all I want to do is put the key in the ignition,” said Mach. “People can get overwhelmed and forget what it’s for. I love what it can do to help me with the rest of my life.”

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