Don’t you dare write off anyone over 65!

Almost half of over 65s are now shopping online, according to a report out last week. The proportion of that age group buying online has trebled in the last decade. At first I was surprised when I read that. Then I reminded myself that I’m not so far off being over 65 myself! And I’m a regular online shopper. When we talk about over-65s, I think some of us still have an image of pension books, sedentary retirement, grey hair in curlers, slippers and endless daytime TV. Well, that’s not the case any more, is it? And 65 is no age these days. I’ve said before that I found my “voice” in my early 50s. There are so many people of that age and over who are working a bit less – and they’re certainly not spending their spare time sitting in a corner doing nothing. They have become “Silver Surfers”. Computers have opened up a whole new world of possibilities. They’re taking great holidays, finding new hobbies, reconnecting with friends from their past, and are out and about with enthusiasm and energy. Of course, age can bring health problems but, as a nation, we are living longer and medicine is better than ever. It’s the convenience and the vast range of items that makes online shopping so tempting. If you’re an older person living in an area where there’s limited choice or you are buying something bulky, like household goods, buying online means you can have your pick of the whole range, find the best deals, and you don’t have to worry about delivery. It’s taken care of. You can just sit and click. Simple. My parents are both online. My mum, Shirley, took herself off to the library to learn about computing several years ago. She never told anyone, just went for six Mondays in a row and took a course. After her sixth, she told my dad what she’d been learning. She was itching to use his computer to send her first email so took herself off to his study and emerged an hour later...with no email sent. Dad asked what had taken her so long. She explained sheepishly that at the library, all the computers had been switched on when she arrived – and she hadn’t been able to find the power switch on dad’s computer! Hilarious. Since then, though, there’s been no stopping her. My nieces have got her on Instagram and other apps, so she can keep up with us all. It’s brilliant to see more elderly people getting onboard with computing, joining in and being part of modern society. High streets are still hubs of communities and I’d hate to see them die out. But I hope it’s not an either/or situation. If you’re still not online and don’t feel confident, take a tip from my mum and check out local courses. She’s never looked back and I’m sure you won’t either.