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I wonder at what age that typically (if there is a typical experience) happens? My mother is in her mid 70s and very far from a techie or tech-interested (work

by ido 8y ago

I wonder at what age that typically (if there is a typical experience) happens? My mother is in her mid 70s and very far from a techie or tech-interested (worked in textiles/fashion, never used a computer before the current century & then first only for making free international calls via Skype as was setup by us) & slowly but surely adapted to some small variety of new tech especially after retirement when she had more time on her hand. She does nothing fancy with it but is e.g. using a modern android phone to make video calls & send messages via whatsapp, play casual games, etc.

saltcured 8y ago
I think your parenthetic comment hints at the truth. There isn't a typical age, rather a wide age band where individuals may experience different declines. With dementia, the descent can seem very rapid. One year, they are functioning well and adapting, but suddenly you realize they are in deep trouble. For a while, their adaptive energy may be devoted to covering up deficiencies. So, when this coping mechanism fails, the struggle suddenly emerges for all to see. But, some people may fit the description of "unable to learn new things" long before that sort of dementia is relevant. They may be depressed, or may have a prideful personality which avoids the unknown because any trial and error learning is embarrassing. Frustratingly, it can also be hard to get elders in this category to go anywhere near a doctor for a better evaluation. And without a better understanding of what is going on, it can be difficult to identify an appropriate intervention or care approach.
- zwieback 8y ago
  Agreed. My dad was a physics professor and researcher who started his career in silicon valley in the 60s. You'd think he'd be interested in computer stuff but he lost his interest or maybe, like you're saying, finds trial and error embarrassing. My mom never went to college but does a lot better with at least basic stuff like email. Once she was super motivated to find a gift for my kids and figured out how to buy it on ebay, something I didn't think she'd be able to do so a lot of it is willingness and motivation.
bluGill 8y ago
While it is true old people slow down, I think interest in learning is the bigger factor. I know old people who enjoy new toys and get them all the time, even though they struggle [with something younger people find easy) they enjoy the learning and figure it out. I know old people who have no interest in learning anything new in general - yet when presented with something new related to their hobbies can figure it out quickly).
- rconti 8y ago
  I agree with the comment about interest. Hell, my dad just turned 80 and he has far more interest in playing with Android on his phone, tweaking things on his Tesla, and so on. But he never worked in tech, although of course he used computers as part of his office job. As someone who works in tech, I just want my personal tech to work, and I have much more limited free time. But he could have all the free time in the world; if he wasn't interested in learning new things, he'd have far less tech than I do.

by ido 8y ago

saltcured 8y ago

I think your parenthetic comment hints at the truth. There isn't a typical age, rather a wide age band where individuals may experience different declines. With dementia, the descent can seem very rapid. One year, they are functioning well and adapting, but suddenly you realize they are in deep trouble. For a while, their adaptive energy may be devoted to covering up deficiencies. So, when this coping mechanism fails, the struggle suddenly emerges for all to see. But, some people may fit the description of "unable to learn new things" long before that sort of dementia is relevant. They may be depressed, or may have a prideful personality which avoids the unknown because any trial and error learning is embarrassing. Frustratingly, it can also be hard to get elders in this category to go anywhere near a doctor for a better evaluation. And without a better understanding of what is going on, it can be difficult to identify an appropriate intervention or care approach.

zwieback 8y ago
Agreed. My dad was a physics professor and researcher who started his career in silicon valley in the 60s. You'd think he'd be interested in computer stuff but he lost his interest or maybe, like you're saying, finds trial and error embarrassing. My mom never went to college but does a lot better with at least basic stuff like email. Once she was super motivated to find a gift for my kids and figured out how to buy it on ebay, something I didn't think she'd be able to do so a lot of it is willingness and motivation.

bluGill 8y ago

While it is true old people slow down, I think interest in learning is the bigger factor. I know old people who enjoy new toys and get them all the time, even though they struggle [with something younger people find easy) they enjoy the learning and figure it out. I know old people who have no interest in learning anything new in general - yet when presented with something new related to their hobbies can figure it out quickly).

rconti 8y ago
I agree with the comment about interest. Hell, my dad just turned 80 and he has far more interest in playing with Android on his phone, tweaking things on his Tesla, and so on. But he never worked in tech, although of course he used computers as part of his office job. As someone who works in tech, I just want my personal tech to work, and I have much more limited free time. But he could have all the free time in the world; if he wasn't interested in learning new things, he'd have far less tech than I do.