Older 6

VOLUME35 NUMBER8 APRIL2003

counselingdanDHunanDeveLopnnen Using New Attitudes and Technology to Change the

Developmental Counseling Focus for Older Populations

M.Carolyn Thomas, Virginia Martin, Jeri Jo Alexander, Fannie R. Cooley, and Averil M.Loague

The dual challenges of a growing elderly population and the rapid advances in tech nology call for counselors to discard or drastically change traditional attitudes and coun- seling techniques with older people and produce more appropriate approaches for the new millennium. In the 2002 census,35.6 million people were 65 years or older, comprising 12.3% of the U.S.population. One in every eight Americans is considered elderly.By 2030, the older population is projected to be 70 million, or 20% of the populace.This rapid growth means there will be twice as many Americans 65 years or older in 2030 than in 2000(Administration on Aging, 2003).

Although late adulthood, or old age, has been generally considered to begin at age 65,life expectancies now are extending into the 80s and 90s (Papalia,Olds & Feldman 2004).Consequently, late adulthood encompasses several decades, and the developmental issues and tasks of later life are ongoing and quite variable.As more and more people live longer and healthier lives, counselors in the 21st century can help older clients by focus- ing on opportunity and empowerment rather than problems and decline.

Counselors, older people, and culture can undergo three major changes to help ensure that older people experience this developmental stage as a period of growth and actualization.

1. The traditional and often negative view of aging must be translated into a more pos- itive approach represented by an empowering philosophy.

2.Developmental tasks at different substages can be identified earlier, so planning and preparation for these tasks can be the preferred approach, as opposed to assess- ment of limitations and resultant remediation.

M.Carolyn Thomas is Professor and Coordinator of Counselor Education and Director of the AUM Coun- seling Center at Auburn University Montgomery in Montgomery, AL

Virginia Martin is Associate Professor and Coordinator of Counselor Education at Alabama State University, Montgomery,AL.Jeri Jo Alexander is Associate Professor of Foundations and Secondary Education,Auburn University Montgomery Montgomery,AL.Fannie R.Cooley is Professor Emeritus and past Head of the Depart- ment of Counseling and Student Development Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL.Averil M.Loague is an instructor of educational technology at Auburn University Montgomery in Montgomery,AL.

Love Publishing Company,2003

2 COUNSELING AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT APRIL2003

3.Technology can become an enabling tool for older people to reduce and eliminate isolation, disconnect edness,and dependency associated with dated beliefs and practices.

To be sure, as people age, they face numerous life chal- lenges resulting from mounting social and physical changes. If the challenge for aging people, counselors, and society is to transcend developmental changes often seen as obstacles, the task of changing attitudes and adopting more empower- ing approaches that include technology can transform these challenges to opportunities for growth and healthy develop- ment. The test for society is to create an environment in which aging people can enjoy and continue their healthy developmental progression toward reaching their maximum potential.

THE NEED TO CHANGE ATTITUDES ANDAPPROACHES

Mental health professionals and society in general have historically taken an essentially negative view of the elderly

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Durodoye & Ennis-Cole1998;Schweibert1994).The term ageism was coined, reflecting this unfavorable attitude toward aging and older people Papalia et al.,2004).Ponzo 1992) referred to the negative stereotyping as age preju dice. Older people often are viewed as frail, incompetent, inflexible, wedded to the past, sick, slow, helpless, depen- dent, depressed,lonely, physically limited, and boring (Durodoye & Ennis-Cole, 1998;Myers &Schwiebert, 1996; Ponzo,1992).

These distorted social messages negatively affect the manner in which older people anticipate this developmental stage. They often fear the supposed boredompoor health, loss of dignity and self-esteem, loneliness, lack of money, disenfranchisement,and loss that are supposed to be inevitable.They associate their aging with negative psycho- logical, physical, economic, and social changes rather than opportunities for positive growth. The older years also are often seen with finality as a single period of disengagement and a sliding or abrupt decline leading simply to death (Glover, 1998).More constructive attitudes would focus on the aging period as a series of opportunities for achieve- ment, triumph, and positive balance.

Another change in focus might be a reconsideration of Erikson's final life stage.Erikson (1963) described old age as a period for achieving the task of ego integrity versus despair by evaluating one's past life and judging it to have been productive, meaningful, and worthwhile.One might well interpret the task differently by seeing the achievement of ego integrity as a process rather than a product, or result. The traditional interpretation implies the need to look back. In a preferred conceptual framework, the older person would review his or her life and also become actively involved in creating a balance in the present.Achieving ego integrity would not be a period of merely looking back but, instead, would be an ongoing, developmental process of existential living requiring living in the present with the intention of growing in the future.

The need to modify attitudes about aging with resulting changes in approaches is certainly recommended in the counseling literature.Among the strongest proponents of an empowerment approach to working with older persons are Waters and Goodman (1990).They described empowerment as the ability to develop positive,satisfying lifestyles and to maximize developmental potential and life satisfaction. Schweibert(1994) further described empowerment ap- proaches as strategies to achieve a sense of control over one's life and to use this control to positively affect the aging experience.

The emphases on adopting positive attitudes about aging and on an empowering approach are reflected in the Ameri- can Counseling Association (ACA) minimum competencies for gerontological counseling (Myers andSchwiebert, 1996)

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and the American Psychological Association (APA) guide lines for practice with older adults (American Psychological Association,2003).The ACA minimum competencies include advocacy for positive, wellness-enhancing attitudes toward older adults with a focus on empowerment.The APA guidelines similarly caution psychologists to eliminate age- related biases and recognize how their attitudes and beliefs about aging may affect their clinical practices with older populations.

In short, counselors, older people, and cultures must first change their attitudes about aging from negative stereotypes of limitations to more positive views of possibilities and opportunities for growth.Only then can approaches to aging and helping the aging change from strategies founded on stagnation and remediation to approaches based on wellness and empowerment.

THE NEED TO REDEFINE DEVELOPMENTAL AND COUNSELING TASKS

The most important recommended change in counseling tasks is that of changing the emphasis from rehabilitation to preparation. Although mental health professionals have become increasingly aware of the needs of older individuals, the primary emphasis has been on identifying and assessing problems associated with a downhill slide during aging Concentrating on lost physical facilities, lost support, lost family, and lost economic security put the emphasis on reha- bilitation.Ponzo (1992)encouraged counselors to concen- trate more on what older people can do than what they no longer may be able to do.Similarly,Glover 1998 urged counselors to focus more on the years yet to be lived than the developmental stages already completed.

Riker and Myers (1989) suggested redefining aging as a series of developmental stages with each stage involving a series of tasks.They further suggested studying the relevant tasks common to each decade after age 60, pointing out that the tasks should be positive, with the older person fully par- ticipating in activities that lead to positive reactions to change.These tasks vary for each person during the decades following age 60 but can be categorized in the five life are- nas-career, family, leisure, intimacy,and inner life.

In keeping with the preparation-versus-rehabilitation goal, Maples, Capuzzi, and Cooley (2000) used the Riker and Myers (1989) theory advocating identification of the diverse tasks to be accomplished during the age ranges of the 50s,60s,70s, 80s,and 90s and helping older people plan how they might successfully accomplish those varying tasks.Maples et al. (2000) also emphasized how individu- alized planning and preparation is crucial,because the tasks of the same age ranges for different individuals are rarely identical.

For example, tasks for the 50s might include questioning work and leisure values, renewing relationships with others, and redefining personal roles in the five life arenas (Riker& Myers,1989).Planning for retirement, reestablishing the primacy of marriage, learning to live as a single person,fill- ing the empty nest, planning second careers, or altering lifestyles might be additional tasks for the 50s (Maples et al., 2000).Tasks for the 60s might include involvement with helping others,planning ways to further develop one's potential, and continuing the challenges of the 50s.During the 60s or earlier, people might review past goals that were not met or were eliminated for various reasons.Plans might be made to renew the pursuit of those unmet goals.Another task for the 50s or 60s might be to finally relinquish old goals and grieve for lost dreams. Building new dreams would be an ongoing task for the 50s, 60s, and later decades.

According to Riker and Myers (1989)the 70s are a time when leisure becomes more important in one's life and replaces the concentration on work.Relationships with fam ily and friends are strengthened, retirement plans may be altered, learning new skills and building new support sys. tems may become concerns (Maples et al.,2000).The 80s and later years typically include expanding creative activi ties, changing living arrangements, finding positive ways to adjust to physical changes, and achieving inner peace.Riker and Myers (1989) described the 90s as a time when past problems become less important than current relationships.

When breaking-out the aging process into decades with identifiable developmental tasks, the process seems to be one of building a sense of spiritual wholeness and existen- tial living.This means fully participating in the decisions involved in living one's life each day. In this way, the past becomes less important and the future becomes the product of the most important task: living fully in the present.

Fannie Cooley (Maples et al., 2000 outlined a model for planning one's later years with the goal of living a meaning. ful life and maximizing one's full potential. Using the five life arenas suggested by Riker and Myers (1989),Richard- son recommended planning in the areas of:

1.Professional involvement 2.Community involvement 3. Social involvement 4.Intellectual stimulation 5.Spiritual growth.

For professional involvement, she advocated choosing the intensity of involvement at the national, state, and local levels. As suggestions for community involvement, she included consulting with agencies, joining social organiza- tions, and doing volunteer work.Social involvement might consist of taking classes at a local university's program for

4 COUNSELING AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT APRIL2003

seniors, attending elderhostel activities, forming or joining book discussion clubs, or attending fine arts events and con ferences. Spiritual and personal growth plans would be highly individualized, but would essentially consist of con- tinuing to seek balance and ego integrity and to maximize one's full potential.

When counselors and older people change their focus from remedying one's limitations and obstacles to planning and preparing for newly defined developmental tasks with strategies and models based on empowerment and fulfill- ment, aging becomes a process marked by hope.Overcom- ing despair and the effects of a sliding decline are replaced with the view that aging is the ultimate developmental climb to meaning and fulfillment.

THE BRIDGE OF TECHNOLOGY Certainly one of the greatest challenges to counselors,

older people, and cultures is their use of technology.The belief that technology has left older people behind seems to be a myth. In 2002,nearly half of North Americans age 58 and older were using the Web (Senior Journal.com, 2003). Of those,94% used the Internet to keep in touch with fam- ily and friends and 72% used the Internet to stay current with news and events Senior Journal.com,2003).Another myth is that older people learn to use computers from their children and grandchildren.Of 2,084 computer users sur- veyed in 2002,76% reported that they taught themselves how to use the Web (Senior Journal.com, 2003).

Senior citizens also seem to lead all other populations in the growth of Internet use, with older women outpacing older men in increased Internet use (Heineman& Kim, 2003).The same study reported that persons 65 years or older comprise 7% of the active Internet universe.

Although a large number of older people already benefit from using technology, many more could share the same advantages. Technology can help compensate for losses experienced during the later years (Glover, 1998).Durodoye and Ennis-Coles (1998) explained how computers can help older people establish and maintain networks of support sys- tems including friends, family, organizations, or other older people. They mentioned how older people can use technol- ogy to learn about a myriad of resources that might include medical information,social services, and information about age-related legislative issues.Further, older people's use of technology LawhonEnnis & Lawhon1996;Namazi & McClintic, 2003):

enlarges and expands narrow confines helps them continue as viable participants in society fosters greater independence

diminishes loneliness

enhances self-esteem increases opportunities for social interaction expands educational and entertainment opportunities

Finally, using technology can increase the intergenerational contributions of older people to family, friends and profes- sional colleagues.

The benefits of using technology are obvious.Before we can help older people who are not yet using technology to empower themselves, we must dispel the myths that aging

bility, and that technology has left older people behind. If social isolation, disconnectedness, loneliness,and disenfran- chisement really are issues for older persons, using comput- ers can ameliorate these conditions. The following are descriptions and uses of several computer applications that can help older people access a growing wealth of resources and empowering opportunities.

Electronic Mail and Instant Messaging E-mail and instant messaging constitute what is probably

the easiest and most effective way for older people to stay connected to family,friends and resources.The potential for immediate communication with family and friends is limit- less. Even if older people are not able to leave their resi- dences, they can communicate with family and friends in their own town, or in other towns, states, or countries.E- mail can be used to communicate with medical personnel to report physical data such as blood pressure and glucose lev- els without having to go to a doctor's office.Frequent con- tact with caregivers is easy and unobtrusive.

E-mail also can involve older people in family mile stones.For example, older people can receive pictures of grandchildren, newborns, graduations, and other special family events when travel is not possible.Relationships with younger family members can be established through e-mail and instant messaging, which reduces the intergenerational isolation caused by families living apart. Rather than visit

few years, the older person can communicate regularly and build an ongoing relationship with the younger relative.

eMemories and eStories Creative application of electronic mail can help older

people reminisce, review their lives, and share their values and experiences with other family members.Families often complain that history is lost when an older relative dies without recording what he or she knew of family history. Older people can compile these memories and stories in an organized manner or merely respond with memories or sto- ries elicited by specific inquiries.

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Word Processing and Attachments Using word-processing programs to generate the same

correspondence and stories sent by e-mail requires a few additional skills, but the quality and format of the commu nication are of higher quality. Longer products could be sent as attachment to e-mails. In addition,specific programs for personalized products,such as programs for creating genealogies, might be used.Genealogical software pro- grams have become an indispensible tool in researching and re-creating family histories.These programs make it easy to organize and manipulate family data, create charts, and insert photographs.They also can provide resources for maintaining family interaction and learning new computer skills.Creating a genealogy could be a cooperative effort by several family members, adding their own information and memories.

Desktop Publishing Numerous computer programs are available that allow

people to express themselves artistically. Desktop Publish ing (DTP combines word processing, graphics, and aes- thetic layouts. Photos and hand-drawn art can be scanned into a computer, or art can be created on the computer. Among the ideas that could enrich communication between the older person, family, and friends are greeting cards, illustrated poetry collections, and family, club, or commu- nity newsletters.

Most computers come with a word-processing program and draw/paint software that can be used for creating greet- ing cards and newsletters.Also, printers now include some type of DTP program with the printer software, such as templates,graphics,and paint and draw tools.The sophisti- cation ranges from simple and easy-to-use programs to complex applications with the capacity to produce profes- sional-looking work.

For the person who has given up artistic pursuits because of physical limitations, the computer and its DTP programs provide an alternative means for older people to continue their creative activities.Learning to use these resources can also be a means to begin a new hobby and express artistic interests.

Compiling a memory book can be an effective way of reviewing life and sharing important moments in one's life with others.An especially meaningful creation is the picture story book, a collection of family photographs with accom- panying descriptions and stories. The book can be created easily by inserting the printed pages into page protectors and putting them into a binder, or taking the printed pages to a book bindery and having them bound into a book.The col- lection of photos and text also can be saved to a floppy disk or burned to a compact disk (CD).

Multimedia Applications Creating family memory books and genealogical charts

is just one small step away from producing electronic slideshows and movies.Programs such as PowerPoint and KeyNote enable the user to add backgrounds,graphics, music, voice recordings, and even movie clips to the family photos and text, to create stand-alone or interactive com puter presentations.A simple program for creating digital movies using either movie clips or still photos is iMovie. Younger family members who are knowledgeable about cre- ating electronic slideshows and movies can encourage an older family member to try new computer uses and thereby create a new common interest between the younger and older members in a family.

Another possible multimedia application is the use of small, inexpensive Web cameras (Web cams).Individuals can see and hear those who also have Web cams attached to their computers.For older individuals who may be unable to travel, Web cams offer an excellent way to see and hear about the new addition to the family and participate in other family events.

InternetResources Older people often have trouble learning about needed

resources or obtaining information about health, interests, legislative or political issues, educational or recreational opportunities, and community events. Being able to"surf the Net' is a valuable skill in staying informed and being connected with an infinitely large community.List-servs, bulletin boards, and online chat groups focusing on special interests are other alternatives for those who are interested in instant access to world events. Useful Web sites for seniors are listed at the end of this article.

The Internet offers a wide variety of games, which pro- vide another means of socialization. The older person might play the game individually or interact with others. For those who have given up card games because of trouble shuffling or dealing cards, Internet games enable older people to con- tinue to enjoy their favorite games.

A particularly helpful Internet service is online shopping Transportation and mobility difficulties may preclude an older person from shopping and mailing gifts.Now a person can buy almost any item on the Internet, and the online store will mail the gift to the intended recipient. In some areas the older person can complete grocery shopping online and have the groceries delivered.Bankingpaying bills and conduct- ing many other business transactions can be done online- provided that the older person has the skills to complete these tasks.

6 COUNSELING AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT APRIL2003

Web Pages Older people who become enthusiastic about learning to

display family genealogy, artwork, or recipes, for example. An older person also can use a Web page to share opinions with others who have posted their own Web pages to the Internet.User-friendly software programs are available to help create Web pages.For example, Netscape Composer is free and comes with the Internet browser software.

Computer Individual and Group Counseling A particularly unique application of the computer is the

possibility of individual and group counseling for older peo- ple who are homebound. Thomas and Martin 1997) described how groups can create a supportive environment for older people and minimize the potentially negative effects of the transitions that accompany aging.Highly structured e-mail applications, or eGroups, similar to chat rooms might prove helpful to older people in need of group interaction and support.Such groups would adhere to acceptedpractices for screening potential members and hav- ing a skilled group counselor facilitate the eGroup. Infor- mation exchanges in psychoeducation eGroups, as well as support in counseling groups, would be particularly helpful.

A more advanced application is video conferencing.For individuals with access to universities or other facilities with video conferencing capabilities, eGroup counseling could take place over large distances, with the participants being able to see and hear one another simultaneously. One-on- one counseling through the use of Web cams could benefit older people who are homebound or help isolated individu- als who need crisis counseling.

THE COUNSELOR'S ROLE IN BUILDING THE TECHNOLOGY BRIDGE

The counselor's role in helping older people empower themselves by using technology is primarily to be a change agent and a collaborative member of a team concerned with building a positive, supportive learning environment.Build- ing this receptive environment would include:

convincing agencies, educational institutions, organi- zations, churches, and elder-care facilities to become invested in technology offerings for older people

designing user-friendly facilities choosing technology instructors who understand the

cognitive, social, physical, emotional, and learning style needs of older persons conducting inservice training for mental health pro- fessionals and instructors

setting up a tech pals program involving schools, agencies, organizations, and the older persons.

Although the counselor would have to be knowledgeable about more than the traditional uses of computers, the counselor probably would do little of the technology train- ing. Rather, the counselor would train the noncounseling members of the team to understand the developmental needs of older people, change any lingering negative atti- tudes about aging to more positive beliefs based on well- ness and empowerment, and adopt teaching methods that foster long-term commitment to using technology.The counselor would work closely with the technology instruc- tors to choose the best applications to meet the needs of the older persons, and recommend the most appropriate equip- ment and software. The counselor and instructors also would collaborate in assessing the technological skill level of the older person.

The primary focus of the counselor's direct service is on assessing the older person's receptivity to technology, iden- tifying the needs that could be met by various applications, and overcoming resistance to using technology to meet those needs.The counselor also must assess the older per- son's resources to purchase equipment or the availability of community resources to provide technology centers and training personnel.

Although many older people already use technology, oth- ers have no experience and may be restricted by access and economics.The counselor may be challenged by designing and finding services for those who have no experience with computers and live in communities with limited resources. Encouraging receptivity is far easier with people who are retiring and already have acquired some technology skills in their careers, have equipment in their homes, and live in communities with extensive resources.

In overcoming resistance,Namazi and McClintic (2003) suggested five factors that can affect an older person's desire to use technology.

1.Physical and cognitive factors: inability to read the screen easily, use the keyboard, or remember termi- nology and steps in performing a skill.

2.Personal factors: attitudes about technology and change and the ability to work with others.

3.Technological factors: the ease of using hardware and software.

4.Organizational factors: access to computers and technological assistance when using the various applications.

5.The environment comfortable chairs,tables and room temperature, and appropriate lighting and per- sonal work spaces.

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The counselor and the team have to assess the influence of all five factors and design a program so each factor would have the most positive influence on the older person's desire to use technology.

TRAINING CONSIDERATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The strongest and most consistent recommendation in training an older person to use technology is to ensure that he or she has a positive initial experience (Danowski & Sacks,1980Morris,1994Namazi & McClintic,2003 Therefore, strategies should be geared toward giving the older person positive initial and continued experiences.This means adequately assessing the individual's entry-level skill and placing him or her in appropriate training to avoid the frustration and discouragement of being challenged with tasks beyond his or her capacity (Namazi & McClintic 2003).Baldi 1997) recommended a discovery method in which the older person begins with hands-on learning,pro- gressing from simple exercises through a series of increas- ingly difficult tasks.A trainer is available constantly to answer questions and resolve problems.

Zandri and Charness (1989) recommended training older persons in pairs rather than teaching them in large groups. They also recommended a self-paced instead of an instruc- tor-paced approach, allowing older persons to progress to additional or more complicated applications when they choose.Durodoye and Ennis-Cole (1998) included recom- mendations that the training format provide study material for home and leisure use, with opportunities for extensive practice and instuctional assistance.

After reviewing the literature, Lawhon,Ennis, and Lawhon (1996) summarized recommendations for seniors with motor limitations and sight impairments. Recom- mended adaptations include voice-recognition software for those who are not able to use a keyboard, head-controlled keyboard and mouse for hands-free typing, text-to-speech software to read documents aloud, and Braille printers for the sight-impaired. Large size displays and texts also may be helpful.

Self-pacing, working with partners, extensive practice, and opportunities to question and receive assistance are often mentioned as integral in helping older people have positive learning experiences.Therefore, a program that provides tech pals is a creative strategy.Technology has become required in all schools and universities, and com- munity service is a requirement of many educational pro- grams and social organizations. University programs that include internships in numerous disciplines might provide student helpers with technology skills who could assist older persons in centers or in their homes.Volunteers or

organizations might provide community service by helping older people with their technology skills. University contin- uing education and elderhostel programs could provide peer instruction, staffed facilities, and appropriate equipment for those wanting to learn different computer applications. Properly trained tech pals can be invaluable in helping older people access the unlimited resources and enjoy the many benefits of technology.

SUMMARY Counselors can be instrumental in changing the negative

belief of aging as a period of decline to the positive view of aging as a stage of growth with the self-actualizing goal of continuing to develop to one's full potential. The traditional counseling focus of assessing limitations and following up with rehabilitation can be transformed into an emphasis on wellness, adaptation, and empowerment.Planning for suc- cessful responses to change can replace the traditional view of remedying losses.Conceptualizing old age as a series of substages with differing tasks leading to ultimate fulfillment rather than a downhill slide to death can alter the manner in which older people seek ego integrity.

One way by which older people can become empowered is to use technology to meet their needs caused by physical and social changes.Counselors first must examine their own attitudes about aging and change the beliefs that negatively influence their work with older people.Counselors also must become knowledgeable about the needs of older peo- ple and how technological applications can meet those needs.Finally, counselors must become change agents in their communities and professions, and assume leadership roles in advocating changes in attitude and technology pro- grams for older people. In doing this, counselors can help create environments in which older people can pursue their successful development.More important, society will bene fit because we will all continue to enjoy the intergenera tional gifts of wisdom, commitment, and caring that older people have the potential to bestow.

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Web Sites of Interest to Older People

American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) http://www.aarp.org

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services http://cms.hhs.gov/

Computers Made Easy for Senior Citizens - a non-profit Web site http://www.csuchico.edu/%7Ecsu/seniors/computing2.htm

Corporation for National and Community Service http://www.seniorcorps.org/

Dubuque TCP Portfolio:Programs-Intergenerational Internet http://www.extension.iastate.edu/cyfar/port/dub/prgrm/ dub prgrm intergn.html

Elderhostel: Welcome! http://www.elderhostel.org/welcome/home.asp

ElderWeb:Award-Winning Eldercare Senior HousingFinance and Elder Law Directory http://www.elderweb.com/

FirstGov for Seniors Home Page http://www.seniors.gov/

Growth House: Guide To Death,Dying,Grief, Bereavement, and End Of Live Resources http://www.growthhouse.org/

MEDIA COVERAGE:Senior Citizen Mastering the Internet http://www.alaweb.com/%7Emabel/mediacoverage/genevareaper.html

The National Council on the Aging http://www.ncoa.org/index.cfm?bType=ie4

National Senior Citizens Law Center (NSCLC) http://www.nsclc.org

New LifeStyles Online - The Source for Seniors http://www.newlifestyles.com

OCPL Senior Citizen Resources Web Links http://www.ocpl.lib.ny.us/website/links/seniors.htm

Senior Citizens http://www.munpl.org/Main Pages/Senior Citizens.htm

Senior CitizensHome Page http://www.writeseniors.com

Senior Citizens Online Continues Increase http://www.seniorjournal.com/NEWS/SeniorStats/ 3-02-04SnrsOnline.htm

Senior Law Home Page http://www.seniorlaw.com

Senior Net http://www.seniornet.org

Social Security Online http://www.ssa.gov/

Usability for Senior Citizens (Alertbox April 28,2002) http://www.useit.com/alertbox/20020428.html

Usability for Senior Citizens:46 Best Practices for Web Design Based on Research with Users Age 65 and Older http://www.nngroup.com/reports/seniors

The U.S.Administration on Aging (AoA) http://www.aoa.dhhs.goy

Web Site Links for Senior Citizens http://www.seniorjournal.com/seniorlinks.htm