Free Computers for Seniors
From LoveToKnow Seniors
If your current budget doesn’t allow for a technological investment, there are many resources available for free computers for seniors. However, this doesn't mean you can always take the computers home.
The Benefits of Computing
Computing is a terrific way to stay up-to-date on news and weather, keep in touch with family and friends through e-mail, and explore hobbies, senior travel opportunities, and other senior activities. A free messaging system such as Yahoo Messenger or AOL Instant Messenger enables grandparents to "chat" with the younger set and reduce long distance phone charges as well.
Many seniors also use computers to write a family history, catalogue pictures, even trace the roots of the family tree.
A computer loaded with specialized software is also a helpful asset for managing banking and expenses, tracking retirement investments, and preparing taxes.
Finding Free Computers for Seniors
The Local Library
Most public libraries have a bank of computers, free for use by all library cardholders. If you’d like to do a little research, print off online coupons before shopping, or check in with an old school chum through e-mail, the library is a great option. These institutions will often restrict access to certain websites, and you won’t be able to download or install software, but you will be able to take care of basic computing needs.
To protect your identity and other valuable information, do not access online financial accounts on a public computer, and always make sure to log off of e-mail accounts.
Educational Computing Centers
If you’re participating in a lifelong learning program or another advanced education class, there are free computers for seniors to use for coursework, research, e-mail, and other fundamentals. You’ll find these systems in college libraries and computing centers. As with public libraries, certain restrictions may apply.
Senior Centers
Community senior centers continue to expand the resources available to people over age 55. Many facilities not only offer the free use of computers, but also host a variety of computing classes to keep your skills sharp.
Senior centers are also slightly more willing to consider installing a certain software program, such as a genealogy or messaging program, if they feel all members will benefit from its use.
Community Programs
Some communities have assistance programs that offer free computers for seniors, especially those who are parents or guardians of school-age children, or in-home schoolteachers. These programs are usually funded with grants, part of a federal excess redistribution program, or a local sponsor’s effort of outreach.
One example is Computers for Learning, which redistributes federal and corporation surplus computers. Another is Share the Technology, which allows seniors with disabilities to request a computer from a pool of donated resources.
Ask a librarian for assistance in finding local, county, and state agencies that may be a part of a computer donation or recycling program. Note that you may have to fall within a certain income bracket to be eligible.
Not Free, But Close
Most states in America have a liquidation center that warehouses overstock goods and used items from schools and agencies. Open to the public, many of these centers house computers, monitors, keyboards, and other incidentals needed to build a system.
If you’re handy, and do have some money to put toward the effort, it’s common to purchase the necessary hardware components at these centers for under $100. Some centers also work in conjunction with the prison system to allow inmates to refurbish the computers and install software.
For more information, contact your state department of administration to find out where excess supplies are sent. You can also search online for a prison industry center.
Beware of Scams
If you’re already familiar with the Web, you’ve probably seen a lot of ads for free computers for seniors, such as laptops and home computers. Use extreme caution when investigating these offers. It’s true that advertising agencies and big corporations offer legitimate promotions. But, even those PR deals require you to complete certain tasks and provide a lot of information you’d rather not.
Additionally, your gift may be real, but there’s a catch. For example, you’re offered a free laptop as a premium for completing a certain number of surveys, but the laptop is simply the hardware – you still need to install software to make it operate. Consequently, that “free” laptop may cost $300 or more. If that seems like a good discount on a new computer, give it a try, but remember, caveat emptor – let the buyer beware.
Other offers ask for all your personal information before fully explaining the promotional gambit. Avoid these completely.
Additional Resources
- LoveToKnow Save continually researches options for free computers for seniors, cheap computers and software, and other electronics.
- AARP offers a wealth of computer information, including how-to guides, product reviews, and lessons to expand your knowledge.
- Want to hear the voices of your family and friends without long-distance phone charges? Try this new technology, YackPack.
Comments
Dieter, thank you so much for your insight.
-- Contributed by: TK2I just moved into a adult community, being a Baby Boomer with many years of computer experience. Your comments are very appropriate for the seniors that moved into retirement a decade or two ago. I am working on some technology projects that will address the issues for seniors not familiar with computers, or Myspace or modems and routers, etc. Classroom training is not the answer if they arn't interactive (hands-on computing). We are planning to establish a Community WiFi over the entire adult complex and equip the community with free laptops that can access the Internet without worry about how to connect or excessive monthly fees. Some seniors are no longer mobile and the Internet must be brought to them. Community WiFi accessible anywhere is the answer. Next we must standardize the training and keep it simple - laptops (OK, called notebooks for your generation) with basic programs. Using computers shouldn't be more complex than turning on the TV. Then they will participate and you can tap into their wisdom and experience. If they can handle it, they will get excited. There are seniors as old as 95 that have blogs. Give them the tools without technical jargon or the need to learn more technology than moving and clicking the mouse and keyboard. Also: take away the fear of hackers, identity theft and malware. They have reason to be fearful of the new technology.
Hi Sara - thanks so much for your thoughtful comments.
I believe you pinpointed the key component that will help more seniors feel comfortable with computers: someone who can teach them how to use it. Senior centers would love to have more volunteers to create a class that helps new users understand the basic applications of computing. Continuing education classes are another good way for new users to learn what they can do on the computer.
However, I think that the issue of computing is more individual than generational. In my husband's family, all of his aunts and uncles - all over the age of 75 - use the computer for organizing photos, designing flyers for special events like church gatherings and reunions, and e-mailing loved ones. Twice daily, these senior siblings - five in all - send a group e-mail out to one another, sharing tales of their days, or photos of family, trips, and projects. One of the uncles, a retired newspaper reporter, likes to research particular things in his spare time and share his findings through e-mail with the rest of the family. He's 83! All of these folks bought their computers within the last five-to-seven years.
My grandfather, age 86, on the other hand, would rather refinish cabinets than be on the computer. He doesn't own one, and has no desire to even use one. He says, "It's just not something I need right now." He doesn't watch much television, either - he's always out and about, or doing something in the workshop. It's just who he is.
Like you, I hope that many of our other readers will share their thoughts about seniors advancing their computer skills! Thanks for your thoughts, and good luck with your project.
-- Contributed by: TK2This page has been accessed 1,178 times. This page was last modified 20:14, 17 March 2007.
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