More retirees are booting up their own PCs

Several computer manufacturers are targeting the over-50 demographic with their marketing campaigns because they have noticed a steady upward trend in senior citizens using computers. The Sun City West retirement community near Phoenix, AZ, illustrates this trend. The community sponsors classes to teach retirees how to use computers. The community's computer club has jumped from about 200 members in 1989 to 2,200 in 1995. Seniors use computers for a variety of tasks including personal finance, family tree research and home will preparation. Many seniors use E-mail to correspond with their children and grandchildren. A recent poll found that the number of people 65 or older who report that they use a home computer jumped from 7% in 1994 to 9% in 1995, which represents almost 600,000 people. Computer makers such as Compaq and Acer Group Inc are targeting this growing niche with advertising campaigns.