iPad and Mac Technologies are the Rage Among Charlestown Residents

Ann MacKay has always been tech savvy. She bought her first Macintosh computer in 1985; joined Facebook in 2007, and got an iPad just two weeks after they hit the shelves in 2010. Today she leads a Charlestown User Group (photo) to support the ever-growing number of iPad and Mac users at the Catonsville, MD, retirement community

“I love technology, and I guess you could say I am an early adopter,” says Ann, who also owns an iPad mini RD, an iPhone 5S, and a 2012 MacBook Pro hooked to a 27-inch monitor. “I am definitely an Apple fan. I use my iPad for writing, game playing, email, tracking my dietary intake, reading books, instant messaging, Skype, Face Time; I even watch Netflix on it.” 

According to a recent study released by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, Ann’s not alone. Research shows half of Americans age 65 and older are online, seven in ten seniors own a cellphone, and one in three online seniors use social networking sites such as Facebook.

Ann, who moved to Charlestown two years ago, posts photos and keeps in touch with friends and family through Facebook and posts photos and information on Charlestown’s Facebook page.

“It’s so easy to get started on Facebook. You kind of just learn as you go,” says Ann. “It’s a great way to keep up with different things going on in the community

A self-starter, Ann became adept at using Apple software on her home Mac computer while working for the Maryland Association of Non-Profit Home for the Aging, now called LifeSpan Network.

“I learned how to do membership recruitment, newsletters, convention and workshop planning, legislative analysis, bookkeeping, etc.,” says Ann. “As the association grew and employees were hired, I learned how to network the Macs and use and set up message boards before the World Wide Web existed. As the Mac software has evolved, I continue to learn new things.”

Ann started the Charlestown User Group after she discovered not everyone was as well versed in technology as she was. And with the fast-growing number of iPad users among residents, a great need for education and support existed

“I was having dinner with another couple. We were talking about how much we enjoy the iPad, but how there weren’t really any resources available for people if they had questions,” says Ann

In March 2013, the Apple Charlestown User Group (CHUG) was born. Ann organizes monthly meetings covering various topics.

“I was expecting about ten people to show up to our first meeting, and we ended up with 25,” says Ann. “I quickly discovered there were a lot of people with new iPads and iPhones that they had received for Christmas, but they didn’t know how to use them.

Charlestown resident Maria Lopez-Penha says CHUG has helped her overcome the learning curve since buying her iPad Air last year.

“I’m still in the process of learning how to use it,” says Maria. “I had an old Windows XP computer that was at the end of its life. My daughter has an iPad, and I started looking into them. I was enchanted with all the different things I can do with it. Ann has been incredibly helpful. I just write down whatever questions I have and take them with me to the meetings. I also go on the Charlestown iPad user’s group website for help when I need it

The website www.charlestownappleusers.wordpress.com posts information about upcoming meetings, topics on how to export addresses and import mail, iCloud storage, as well links to YouTube tutorials on a variety of subjects.

William Morrison also attends the meetings and says CHUG has helped him navigate many of the features of his iPad, including how to use the Skype application.

“One of the classes focused on how to communicate using Skype,” says William. “Now I can see and talk with my grandson who is in the Air Force overseas.

Ann says it is rewarding to see “the light bulb go on” as people discover all of the ways they can use their iPad and encourages others to jump on the bandwagon.

“I ask people, ‘What are your interests? What are your passions? What do you like to do?’” says Ann. “There’s probably an app that you can use to indulge your own interests and passions.”