The Meaning Behind Technology

Not all elderly interested in technology. Some of them may think "if we can work with our hands alone, why not?" Since technology were created to help us to do our works, they associate technology as something needed for the work. They usually work manually (with a simple technology) without updated technology. This kind of thinking is the reason why some of them is kind of difficult to integrate themselves with technology. There's still a group of elderly who do not think like this way, they think about "technology is a new way to have fun." They can see the smile on their children and grandchildren while they are playing with gadgets. They feel like to try something new, something refreshing, something fun, it's the technology itself.

     It's not a surprise anymore if we meet an adult (68 years old) who "rejects" technology, assuming it's not necessary. He believe he can do his works with his own hands. On the other side, he wishes his child to master the technology, for example: computer. The child was told, "computer is important, every jobs need computer. You should be able to master it." The father's words seems like contradict each other, maybe the child feels confused. He think his father is not able to master the technology and do not have a little interest in it, but he wishes his child to master it. Every time the child tries to learn with technology, the father always observe how to use the technology. Sometimes, the father asks, "Um... where that film come from?," "How did you play a game on a computer?," etc. Those questions seems like the father is begin to take a liking on technology, the feelings of curiosity.

     Children has a special characteristic which is curiosity. But, the curiosity is still exists among adulthood, regardless if he is early adulthood, young adulthood, middle adulthood, or late adulthood. Have you ever think how technology made him interested? One of the factors is the environment, especially social environment. Our grandparents also have their own friends. There's a possiblility that some of their friends are "up-to-date" about technology because they were open to new experiences. All elderly are always learning, they learn something from their own self, they also learn from their environment. By experiencing the technology with their friends, they enjoy themselves. They feel something different but interesting. Playing games, chatting with old friends, video call, reading news from internet, and so on are possible with technology.

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     The first experience of technology itself is really exciting for them. The exciting moments grant them to feel curious, so they will have a motivation to learn new things with technology. They will start to ask something about technology repeatedly, showing more curiosity. If we give them an answer, they will ask again and again. It doesn't matter, because it's the process of learning. We know that cognitive skills will decrease gradually during late adulthood, about the ability to remember, the ability to solve a problem, the ability to focus, etc. We can view technology as a media to train the cognitive skills and it's good for elderly. For example, there's a game which requires more attention and problem solving skills. We need to focus our attention during we play. At the same time, we need to solve the problems which were represented in the game. 

     Besides technology is a media to train the cognitive skills, It is a good thing to make elderly's life more meaningful. The search for meaning in life is the common theme among adulthood, especially late adulthood. They can live their live by experiencing something, like love, excitement, the sense of beauty, the truth, and many things else. By experiencing technology, they feel it's the way to have fun. The fun itself strengthen the relationship between their friends, children, their grandchildren, and themselves. Not only excitement, but they will be able to experience love among the family and friends. The feelings they got during experiencing the technology will open their heart the technology is not only help people with their jobs, but to live their lives too.