Silver Surfers Log On for a New Lease of Life

Study from Tutors 4 Computers shows internet surfing stimulates elderly brains

July 01, 2010 - Press Dispensary - Following media reports of new research that shows a rapid rise in the number of ‘silver surfers’ over the last year*, a computer training company in Dorset is releasing the results of a ‘silver surfer survey’ which shows that using a computer can make the older generation feel significantly younger. Tutors 4 Computers (http://www.tutors4computers.co.uk ) recently conducted a survey of its older customers with results showing how surfing the internet can rejuvenate the elderly, putting a spring in their step and giving them a new lease of life.

From its base near Bournemouth, Tutors 4 Computers provides one-to-one computer training in the home for customers in Bournemouth, Southampton, Salisbury and the New Forest. An important area of Tutors 4 Computers’ business is helping silver surfers go online so that they can realise the true value of the internet to keep in touch with family, as well as benefiting from a wealth of web-based information and resources. Following the unprecedented success of this year’s ‘Silver Surfers Day’ on May 21, spearheaded by Vera Lynn, Tutors 4 Computers believes older computer users are getting up to speed, and quickly.

Tutors 4 Computers owner, Ian Mabb, says: "We took a random sample of 100 people over retirement age whom we'd taught during the last two years. The results revealed that a full 80% believed that using a computer had made them feel younger. This is partly because they’re doing something they perceive to be a 'youngsters' activity’ – it clearly gives them ‘a spring in their step’ and, in some cases, a new lease of life."

Four out of five respondents agreed with the statement that ‘doing something they previously thought only younger people could do had made them feel younger’. More than two-thirds (68%) of respondents agreed strongly.

Says Ian Mabb: "This reinforces Californian research indicating that internet use stimulates the older brain much more effectively than, say, reading a book, and may even help to ward off common ailments such as Alzheimer’s and dementia."**

He continues: “Some of our older pupils amongst the silver surfer community are eagerly downloading music and we had the case of a 97-year-old sending emails to his great-grandson and monitoring share prices using the computer in his nursing home.”

Tutors 4 Computers customer Beryl Todd, 76, says: "It’s wonderful to find unexpected fun in life - even for the silver-haired! You feel young again and can become involved in the life of your family. The younger generations are usually quite proud to have an email from Grandma or Grandpa!”

The recent Tutors 4 Computers study is borne out by research conducted by the University of California in 2008*, which concluded that silver surfers’ brains were being stimulated in the regions that govern decision-making and complex reasoning, because using the internet requires people to decide exactly what to click to see the information they’re seeking. Although crosswords provide similar stimulation, it proved much lower when the participants were reading a book. The results led researchers to speculate whether computer usage can aid retention of a healthy brain in old age, helping to counter such afflictions as Alzheimer’s and dementia.

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Notes for editors
Tutors 4 Computers was set up by Ian Mabb in 2005 and is based near Bournemouth in Dorset. The company provides one-to-one computer training at customers’ homes and small businesses in Bournemouth, Southampton, Salisbury and the New Forest. Despite the recession, business is thriving and the company expects to expand its geographic coverage soon. Prices start from a competitive £20 per hour.

Beryl Todd and other silver surfers may be available for interview. Please contact Ian Mabb on 08000 757560 or email for details.

* See Tuesday’s Daily Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/internet/7862234/Silver-surfers-increase-by-one-million-over-the-last-year.html )
and yesterday’s BBC Radio 4 PM blog (http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/pm/2010/06/are_you_a_new_silver_surfer.shtml )

** See http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7667610.stm

For further information, please contact:
Ian Mabb, Tutors 4 Computers
Tel: 08000 757560
Email:
Site: www.tutors4computers.co.uk