The old dogs are learning new computer tricks in Winterset. The administrator of two nursing homes has installed a computer with Internet access in each facility. He says the residents, who range in age from 60 to 100, are learning to log-on and have fun on the World Wide Web.Terry Cooper is director of Winterset Care Centers. Residents are logging on to learn about everything from geneaology to medicine and especially enjoy e-mail. He says cyber-phobia does not appear to be a problem for most of the 120 residents in the two Madison County facilities.Plans are in the works to create a senior mentoring program with a high school computer group. Cooper thinks the addition of the computers will enable the senior citizens who live in Winterset to stay in contact with friends and relatives anywhere else in the world.Cooper says the use of computers keeps the senior citizens’ minds and bodies active. They use hand-eye coordination to operate the mouse and their minds are challenged while surfing their favorite sites.
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