By Ron VandenBoom
A recent comment by Sandy Berger, host of Computers and Technology, on the Today Show indicated 20 percent of seniors use the Internet.
While the number holds great promise that the current generation of seniors is gradually becoming hip to the advantages of the World Wide Web, they still suggest that 80 percent of seniors are missing out on a valuable resource tool.
The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) located at www.aarp.org, is just one of the sites that has the potential to benefit seniors.
Full of current events that are relevant to people over 50, the site offers information about the organization and valuable suggestions on how to enjoy your golden years.
Click on Leisure and Fun and choose from any number of topics that suggest things to do that are fun and geared toward the mature age groups. The same page offers links that suggest ways to relax and reduce stress.
Other pages on your money and work suggest ways you can improve your economic well being or continue to be employed without jeopardizing your retirement income.
Also AARP has pages on health and wellness, community and volunteer programs, and a section on computers and how to use the Internet.
Of interest to all seniors is the Legislative Issues page. Check out how the balanced budget issue or the budget surplus could affect your future, keep up to date on subjects like elder abuse, long-term care, and Medicare. AARP tells you the position the organization is taking on these issues, why, and tells you how you can help.
If youre one of those who doesnt currently belong to AARP, the sites home page explains how to sign up and explains the benefits and discounts that are a privilege of membership.
The National Council of Senior Citizens NCSC is another organization that works on behalf of seniors in Congress and on the Web.
More than 35 years experience has placed NCSC at the forefront of Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security issues.
Pages within its website include the latest news from the organization, a list of publications available through the site, and also a means by which you can join.
Among the coolest features on this site are the links it provides the surfer to dozens of other sites that also deal with issues affecting seniors. I did not personally check all of the sites linked to NCSC, but I will caution you to be careful of legitimate looking sites that are nothing more than scams.
I mention this because the Internet, by its very nature, is a perfect environment for scam artists. You dont have to be a legitimate organization to have a professional looking site and seniors are some of the favorite pray for the professional con man.
