A Special Section Highlighting Senior LifestylesThis month’s focus: Technology

‘Oldest’ teacher helps seniorsmaster computer technology

BY EMILY HEDGES – CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Don’t let Sue Mach fool you. The Maple Grove res-ident may describe herself as the “oldest andmoldiest computer teacher around,” but she knowsher stuff. She could build a computer from theground up if she had to; she can out tech-talk any 20-something around; but what she really enjoys isteaching older adults — in laymen’s terms – aboutcomputers, a subject close to her heart for almost 40years.

Mach, 62, has a degree in business education, andbegan her teaching career on her 22nd birthday.

“I taught shorthand and typing. Word processingwas the next logical progression. I was in the rightplace at the right time,” she said.

In 1974, Mach was in the first group of teacherslicensed by the State of Minnesota to teach word pro-cessing. In 1981 IBM came out with the first businesscomputers, so in 1983 Mach began her own comput-er training company, Mach2 Enterprises, which cel-ebrates its 30th anniversary next year.

“I’ve been doing this a lot of years, and I’ve seen alot of changes,” said Mach. She recalls how her hus-band’s employer fought getting computers in theearly days, calling them a gadget that would run itscourse. “They didn’t embrace them at all. But theyare everywhere, whether you like them or not.”

In addition to teaching in corporate America, shehas taught at North Hennepin Community Collegefor the past 10 years. She says that many of her stu-dents are older adults, many of which are 50-pluswho have lost jobs and are trying to reenter the

workforce. Others are just trying to keep up with thechanging world of technology.

“With the older age group, the biggest issue is get-ting the right setup,” she said. “Isn’t it funny thoughthat even with all the changes, we still primarily usethe same old typewriter keyboard.”

Mach believes her success teaching boomers andseniors starts with the fact that she is one of them.

“I’m a little old lady. I’m their age, so they can

relate,” she said. “When I teach, it seems to come outin laymen’s language, which makes people feel com-fortable.”

She also believes in having fun in class. “We laugha lot and learn a lot,” she said. “My goal is to makemy students feel comfortable with the technology.”

Mach keeps up with changing technology by read-

Sue Mach talks with her students in a recent class at North Hennepin Community College. (Photo by Katy Zillmer – Sun Newspapers)

MACH: TO NEXT PAGE

2 Mature Lifestyles – Thursday, August 23, 2012 www.mnsun.com

i n g

books, searching the Internet, subscribing tonewsletters and magazines, and playing with newsoftware.

“Once I learned the core, everything else isbuilding on it,” she said.

While she believes that people probably spendtoo much times these days on the Internet, she isamazed at the information that is available.

“I can find an answer to any computer question.We’re benefiting from a lot of info out there,” shesaid.

Once when she was speaking at a conference onsocial media, she demonstrated the point that youcan find anything these days on You Tube by typingin “brain surgery.”

“There were actually instructions on how to doit,” she said.

Although Mach views computers as primarily abusiness tool, she loves how you can use them tostay in contact with out-of-state loved ones.

“When my kids went away to school, in additionto email, I needed to hear their voice to know ifthey were having a bad day. Now with videos, to see

them is awesome,” she said. “Our grandchildrenare not strangers to us. We spend enough time onFacetime and Skype. Those tools are awesome tostay in touch with these tykes.”

She also points out how cost-effective it is tovideo chat with family on the computer.

“It’s cheap. It’s not a long-distance phone call.Once you’ve got your technology, you don’t payadditional costs,” she said.

Helping adults reach a comfort level with newtechnology is something Mach hopes to continue

for many years, and lesson number one will alwaysbe that computers are merely a tool and nothing tobe afraid of.

“People can be too intimidated. I take theapproach that having a computer is like driving acar; all I want to do is put the key in the ignition,”said Mach. “People can get overwhelmed and forgetwhat it’s for. I love what it can do to help me withthe rest of my life.”

For more information about Mach2 Enterprises,email suemach@live.com.

FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

MachSue Mach workswith a computerat NorthHennepinCommunityCollege.

(Photo by KatyZillmer – SunNewspapers)

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www.mnsun.com Thursday, August 23, 2012– Mature Lifestyles 3

When a person first earns a driver’slicense, they’ve earned more than justthe right to legally operate an automo-bile. To many drivers, a driver’s license issymbolic of freedom and self-sufficiency.

The significance of a driver’s licensenever truly dissipates, which makes itdifficult for aging men and women toaddress their abilities as a driver andwhether or not they can still safely sharethe road with other motorists. Thoughmany drivers can safely stay behind thewheel well into their golden years, othersbegin to recognize their skills are start-ing to diminish as they approach seniorcitizen status. For those who want helpgauging their abilities as a driver, someself-examination can help.

Assess your eyesightHealthy eyes are essential to being a

safe driver, and drivers can assess theireyesight in a number of ways. In addi-tion to visiting an eye doctor for an eye

examination, drivers should look forsigns that they’re having difficulty withdriving. If signs and street markingsaren’t so easy to read anymore, youmight need a new prescription for eye-glasses. When the glare of headlights atnight makes it difficult to see, your dri-ver’s seat might need to be adjusted oryou might want to consider antiglare eye-glasses that make it easier to see at night.

Assess your comfort levelSafe drivers are also comfortable driv-

ers. To assess your comfort level as adriver, ask yourself the following ques-tions before getting back behind thewheel.

• Is it troublesome to look over yourshoulder and change lanes?

• Has steering become difficult?• Has your reaction time when switch-

ing from the gas pedal to the brake pedaldecreased?

If you can answer “yes” to any of the

questions above, then it could be thatyou’re beginning to lose strength, coordi-nation and/or flexibility, which canmake it more difficult to operate a motorvehicle. Answering “yes” doesn’t meanyou have to give up your driver’s license.In fact, your doctor might be able to pre-scribe therapies or medicines or suggesta fitness regimen that can make it easierfor you to comfortably drive a car. Inaddition, if you’re having trouble steer-ing or operating a motor vehicle in anyway, you might just want to find a vehi-cle that’s easier to drive, such as onewith an automatic transmission thathas power steering and brakes.

When assessing your comfort level,also examine your mental state whiledriving. If other drivers make youuncomfortable or traffic signs are con-fusing, this can make it difficult to safe-ly operate an automobile. Such feelingswhen driving could also be a side effectof a particular medication, so discuss

the issue with your doctor to see if that’sthe case and if there are any alterna-tives.

Honestly address lovedones’ concerns

Aging drivers are often the last tonotice if their abilities behind the wheelare starting to diminish. Loved ones areoften put in the position of talking toaging drivers about their abilities, andthis can cause friction. If loved oneshave expressed concern about your abil-ities as a driver, honestly address theseconcerns, even if it’s initially hurtful orembarrassing to do so. Your loved onesare sharing their feelings out of genuineconcern for your well-being, so don’tlook at it as an assault on your self-suffi-ciency. Some organizations, includingthe AARP and AAA, offer driving classesfor mature drivers to help them moreadequately handle the challenges agingdrivers might face.

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4 Mature Lifestyles – Thursday, August 23, 2012 www.mnsun.com

Three ways new technologycan make your home life easier

New technology in your home can sometimesleave you feeling overwhelmed by gizmos andgadgets. But if you choose your technology wise-ly, you can simplify your domestic life rather thanclutter your living space with products you don’tuse.

Here are three simple ways technology canhelp you streamline your home:

Control Atmosphere

The ability to control your environment isvital to one’s comfort level. You may already havea programmable thermostat, but did you knowthat the latest models come with Wi-Fi, allowingyou to control your home’s climate from yourmobile device?

Not only that, modern thermostat models areso smart, they learn your living patterns and seta schedule for you accordingly.

Improve Communication

Everyone is quick to jump at the latest mobiledevices when they become available, but whenwas the last time you updated your landline tele-phone? New developments in landline technologyare making your home phone easier and moreconvenient to use.

Consider swapping out your older telephone infavor of a modern device with high functionality.For example, some new models allow you to makeand receive cell phone calls using your cordlesstelephone system via Bluetooth technology —whether or not you have landline service. You caneven transfer contacts from your mobile phone tothe cordless handset so you can easily dial yourstored numbers.

Synching a mobile phone with your landlineallows you to place your cell anywhere in thehouse that provides the best reception and still

roam freely on your landline’s cordless handset.You’ll also have far better sound quality andpeace of mind knowing you won’t miss an impor-tant call.

Outsource Chores

Getting your family to help out around thehouse isn’t much fun when it means verbal nag-ging. But online chore charts can help parentsmotivate their kids to take responsibility.Completed chores are tracked digitally, and youcan connect tasks to allowance and rewards —providing clear incentives through a familiar,palatable medium. There are many options outthere, so find the one that works best for you andyour family.

For a streamlined, comfortable household,incorporate new technologies into your home lifestrategically and watch your life get easier.

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www.mnsun.com Thursday, August 23, 2012– Mature Lifestyles 5

BY EMILY HEDGES – CONTRIBUTING WRITER

They like to get together and compare highscores from the Nintendo Wii. They discusstheir friends’ avatars and whether or not thespiky hair suits them. Occasionally they getrowdy, with shouts and high fives that promptsideways looks from those passing by. Thismay sound like a high school lunchroom orcollege fraternity house, but in fact itdescribes the bowlers of the Mary Ann YoungSenior Center inBlaine.

Senior CenterDirector ShelleyJohnson firstbrought NintendoWii bowling toMary Ann Youngafter hearing theidea at a seniorservices confer-ence.

“We share programs and ideas. I liked theidea of Wii bowling and decided to check intoit. We thought we could fit it in our program-ming,” she said. “It seemed fun, new andexciting.”

Blaine resident Rhona Marie, 76, agrees.She has participated in the league since itfirst began in June 2009.

“It started with two or three teams. We justenjoyed it so much. It’s fun not only to playthe game but to be with all the people,” saidMarie. “I had never bowled before, except afew times I took my kids.”

The ability of novice bowlers and thosewith physical limitations to compete is one ofthe most attractive features of Wii bowling for

Wii bowlingcharges upcompetitivejuices inBlaine

Blaine residentRhona Marietried her hand aWii bowling.

(Photo byKassandra

Petermann –Sun

Newspapers)

“It seemedfun, new and

exciting.’

-SHELLEY JOHNSON, MARYANNA YOUNG SENIOR

CENTER DIRECTOR

BOWLING: TO NEXT PAGE

6 Mature Lifestyles – Thursday, August 23, 2012 www.mnsun.com

seniors like Marie.“I know there are still elderly that

bowl in bowling alleys, but not allcan,” she said. “There is a man in ourgroup that just turned 96 years old.He’s Wii bowling. He couldn’t havedone regular bowling because heuses a walker.”

The senior center received a dona-tion for the big-screen TV and equip-ment, and offers four leagues a yearwith a banquet at the end of each ses-sion. Each player bowls two games aweek for eight weeks for a total of 16games, and pitches in for prizemoney for highest scores and individ-ual games.

Marie says that at first the newtechnology was intimidating. “We allsaid, ‘We can’t do that.’ Then westarted, and pretty soon we realized

we can do it. Now we tell the others,‘If I can, you can,’” she said.

Johnson said that reactions to theNintendo Wii were mixed. “Somepeople are not afraid at all. Othersare a little more intimidated,” shesaid. “A lot ofpeople hadnever held aWii remote. Ittook a little con-vincing, butonce they triedit, it took offpretty well.”

The leaguecontinues togrow by word-of-mouth, and thebiggest challenge for Johnson is to fitin all the new people who would liketo join.

“It turned out to be more socialthan I ever thought. They really havea good time, always cheering for eachother. They visit, coupon clip,arrange lunch plans,” said Johnson.

But the bowlers have their compet-itive side too. Twice a year, they chal-lenge the Hamm Lake senior centerto a bowling tournament, once ateach location. Unfortunately, Mariesays the rivalry is a bit one-sided.

“They beatus every time.They’ve gotsome reallygreat players,but last tourna-ment, we camedoggone close,”she said. “Wedo it for the funof it. We cheer

for everybody, but we’re also cheer-ing for the other team.”

Mary Ann Young bowlers also takepart in a number of mini-tourna-ments throughout the year with somefun twists. “With each spare orstrike, they pull a card. At the end,the best poker hand wins a prize,”said Johnson.

Marie says there’s been talk of get-ting matching bowling league shirts,but in the end, they decided let theiravatars worry about dressing thepart. According to Marie, you eitherselect an avatar that is similar to you,or the exact opposite. Marie went lit-eral giving hers green eye shadow,glasses and grayish blond hair. Oneof her friends went opposite givinghers crazy, spiky hair. “It’s fun, and ifshe does something good, she jumpsin the air.”

It’s not just the avatars that enjoycelebrating and showing a little style.

“We have people that get up and dostrange things when they bowl. Theyjump around and do their littlething,” said Marie. “We all go crazywhen we get a really good score.Sometimes we make Shelley comeout and take our picture.”

For more information on the pro-grams offered through Blaine’s MaryAnn Young Senior Center, go towww.ci.blaine.mn.us.

BowlingFROM PREVIOUS PAGE

‘We do it for the fun of it.We cheer for everybody,but we’re also cheering

for the other team.’

-RHONA MARIE

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YOU’RE STILL IN THIS THING TOGETHER. WE’VE BEEN EXPECTING YOU.