Aging Well

Indeed, aging is responsible for a progressive decline of cognitive functions. A number of scientific works found that cognitive stimulation had a significant positive impact as well for maintaining a high-quality cognitive competence as for delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Beside more classical leisure, cognitive stimulation can help seniors to understand their memory decline and to improve their abilities. Cognitive training can be done through e-training sessions. The objective of cognitive training is threefold: improve cognitive performance, transferring the abilities to everyday activities and improve self-esteem. Its biological effect is mediated through the cerebral reserve and cognitive reserve.

Using the computing environment can modify the self-perception and self-esteem of the elderly as a result of mastering the computer environment, which they may initially have considered complex.

Outsiders’ reactions (supervisors and families) to the senior’s use of the computer can be very positive by making comments, taking a greater interest, recognizing their abilities, and valuing their involvement. The following types of statements are heard regularly: “My family encouraged me right from the start, and it was a surprise, even a very nice surprise, they always ask me how it is going. They are very pleased with my participation in cognitive training. They encourage me to continue.”

These seniors are even more proud of the fact that they are often mentioned as a great example of a ‘take charge’ person: “They look at us differently: My granddaughter, for instance, says to her friends ‘My granny is into computing’. She’s very proud of me, and so am I.”. Some people even become role models and references for those who wish to get started with computing “My brother also started learning about the computer when he saw that I was doing quite well.”. What we find here is the same as Eve and Smoreda (2001) described as a familiarization phenomenon, that is to say, the reassuring presence of a person with the same needs or lifestyle, using or talking about a technical object, and suggesting that the product could be useful for oneself.” The object starts losing its “specialist” characteristic and becomes more of a familiar object.

Finally, recovering a certain degree of independence, especially when using computers, makes elderly people feel more confident.