Seniors Glued To Donated Computers Eagle Scout Project Brings High-Tech To Residence Hall

Folks born in Idaho’s horse-and-buggy days are playing with newfangled computers at a Boise residence hall, and enjoying every minute of it.

For hours a day, the senior citizens of West Wind Residence - some as old as 91 - are glued to the glowing screens of two donated computers. They try their luck at computer poker and solitaire.

It also is a spectator sport. Others watch, impatiently waiting their turn; non-players view the action.

In fact, administrators have to shut off the machines at dinner time to pull away residents like Bobbie Callender, 80.

“I like this computer because it makes my head feel good,” the retired rancher said.

A stroke curtailed her use of her left arm. But all she needs is her right hand to click the mouse and challenge the computer at bridge.

“I don’t want to sit around like some people do,” Callender said. “I want to be active.”

The residents of West Wind are people who need assistance but not nursing care. They thank Eagle High School senior Wes Anderson for spicing up their golden years with late-20th century technology.

Anderson, 18, decided on an indoor project to earn an Eagle Scout rank rather than the outdoor projects candidates usually favor. His mother, Diane, had entertained West Wind residents with a church group and suggested putting the computers there.

Wes rounded up donations of equipment from six businesses, and in mid-April West Wind residents who had never used a manual typewriter were clicking mouses.

“It makes me feel good that they’re expanding their knowledge and learning today’s technology,” said Wes, who is headed to Marine Corps Reserve training, a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints mission and then college.

On Friday, Helen Wollert, 82, a retired machine-shop inspector, tapped Callender on the shoulder while the latter was chatting with a visitor and not playing the game on the screen.

“You’re taking up good computer time,” Wollert said. “I get bored looking at your back.”

Ten of the 26 residents of West Wind operate the computers, including 91-year-old retired real-estate broker Dean Burns.

“I never thought I’d be using a computer at my age,” he said as he played solitaire.

West Wind administrator Carol Cushing said the computers help residents improve their hand-eye coordination and powers of concentration. And computer play improves communication.

“It’s building self-esteem, that they are still capable of learning something new,” she said.

Alan K. Ross, 80, a former Western Union chief operator, writes letters on the computers to old college buddies.

“I never cared about computers until one was sitting right in front of me,” he said. “You can teach old dogs new tricks. It just takes a little longer.”