Seniors at Oakwood Common Demonstrate Tech Savvy Skills

DEARBORN, MI--(Marketwired - Aug 24, 2015) - Do you remember when seniors were known as the rocking chair generation? That's no longer the case -- especially at the Oakwood Common senior living community in Dearborn where residents are using technology in ways many never imagined.

Marjorie Skubic, director of the University of Missouri's Center for Eldercare and Rehabilitation Technology, said in a 2015 NBC News report, "There was a stereotype earlier that seniors weren't interested in technology. Seniors are willing to embrace technology as long as it has a function that's helpful to them."

According to a report released by Pew Research Center in 2014, six of 10 seniors went online, a six percent increase over the previous year.

Mary Granata, director of sales for Oakwood Common, recently took an informal survey of residents and quickly learned the many ways they are using technology.

"More and more of our residents are using computers, smart phones, iPads, Kindles, and other mobile devices," said Granata. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the Oakwood Common campus, and there is a computer room available for personal use and other activities.

Stella Migliore is one of the residents using a campus computer to follow her granddaughter's blog, RedHeadRoamer.com, where she's posting photos and descriptions of her travels around the world this year to visit 50 countries.

Staying connected with children and grandchildren is also important for resident Dorothy Smith, who is a regular Skype user, a computer program that allows you to make calls over the Internet and see each other as you talk.

From the computer in her home office, Smith "skypes" daily with her two daughters and weekly with her son who lives in Colorado. When asked how many people she "skypes" with, she quickly answered, "I skype with whoever will skype with me."

Romaine Redd, another tech savvy resident, appears to be getting maximum use of her iPhone and iPad.

In addition to using the iPhone to call and text her daughter and friends, Redd enjoys accessing and reading the Detroit newspapers, along with her church news. While preparing to join other residents on a recent excursion to a tea house in Plymouth, Redd asked SIRI, the iPhone personal voice assistant, for the address of the tea house.

Redd is rarely without her iPad. She credits her grandchildren with teaching her to use technology and said, "I can shop online, download and watch movies on Netflix, read my Kindle e-books, play games, and store my favorite photos."

Don Wojack, a retired pharmacist and former resident of Grosse Ile, credits his children and grandchildren with teaching him how to use different software programs and devices.

"I enjoy listening to music, so the first thing they gave me was an iPod," said Wojack. "Today, I prefer to download TV music channels to the flat screen that's in my home office." He shared that he has downloaded nearly 1500 songs to iTunes on his computer.

Unafraid of trying new ways to use his computer and iCloud to store and share important information, Wojack also figured out a way to transfer and archive family slides from the 1960s and 70s to digital files on his computer. He added, "This way I can pass them along for my family to enjoy."

In talking with residents, Granata added, "Technology is giving them more options that help them stay active and fit their personal lifestyles. You won't find many rocking chairs around here, and if you do, don't be surprised to find someone using a cell phone or tablet."

About Oakwood Common

Oakwood Common offers one and two bedroom senior living apartments located at 16351 Rotunda Drive, within a beautiful 29-acre community that includes exquisite landscaping, nature trails and scenic views along the historic Rouge River Gateway in Dearborn. Oakwood Common apartments, available with flexible payment options, offer exceptional amenities for independent living and can be readily customized. Assisted living and a comprehensive rehabilitation and skilled nursing center, part of Beaumont Health, are also available for those with additional needs. For more information and to arrange tours, call 800-642-4663 or visit www.OakwoodCommon.org.