Chris Salcedo DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ― Those who are computer savvy don't realize that there is an entire group of Americans who are really intimidated by those machines. But one North Texas woman is trying to change all that.

Tanya Mohn
Published: November 29, 2008

Mimi Witcher, 65, of Carrollton, Tex., says she knows how a lack of computer skills can marginalize people. In the late 1990s, she had been a stay-at-home mom for more than 20 years when she had to go back to work. “I was 55 and completely computer-illiterate,” she said. For a few years she worked at a local Barnes & Noble and did temp work. She began taking computer classes at Richland College nearby.

Ms. Witcher did so well that about six months later she was asked to teach other older adults at the college. In addition to teaching at Richland, earlier this year she and her husband opened the Computer School for Seniors, www.cs4seniors.com, which offers more than 100 lesson plans online.

Research from leading universities including a recent study conducted by the University of California - Irvine, as reported in Science Daily - "Learning Slows Physical Progression of Alzheimer's Disease" - has shown that keeping our brains stimulated through various learning opportunities will dramatically help retain mental alertness as we age.

For older adults and the 78 million Baby Boomers, the computer and the Internet are proving to be beneficial for lifelong learning.

 Cathy Hamilton

I bristle at the word 'senior.' Even if I were ten, fifteen years older than my youthful 53 years, I'd still hate it. But, annoying nomenclature aside, I know a great idea when I see one, and Computer School for Seniors is a great idea.

In the site's own words, www.cs4seniors.com offers "online computer and Internet instruction for Baby Boomers, Senior Citizens or anyone who wants to gain more enjoyment from their computer and the Internet.