Technology, Old and New

August 4th, 2010

Last month when I visited my grandmother, we took time for a knitting lesson. When we were little girls, Grandma Nellie taught my sisters and me to crochet at one point or another.  Between the ages of ten and thirteen, I was crazy about crocheting – a little addicted even!  Knitting, on the other hand, seemed extremely complicated and out of reach.  At the age of 39, I have had my first lesson and am happy to report that I think it’s going to stick.  The first step requires one to “cast on”, which is getting the original loops of yarn situated on one of the needles.  After I practiced all the way home and was literally clicking along, it was time to return Grandma’s borrowed yarn and needles.  After doing so, however, I found that I couldn’t remember how to cast on…

The folks at the craft store I visited to purchase my own supplies were a little distracted the day I was in, so I began to feel a little anxious – how was I going to get started again?  Almost in unison, after hearing my dilemma, the three handsome men in my life suggested I “look it up on You Tube“.  Brilliant.  I was immediately in front of a simple, step-by-step video that began with casting on.  Side note:  Grandma casts on with her needles, which I would never in a million years be able to do without her sitting beside me.  My video, though, showed how to cast on by hand, using one’s fingers.  There was more than one way to skin this cat, and I was back in business.

I have been thinking ever since about how convenient it was to find assistance for learning an age-old skill on a website that has come into its own in just the past few years.  In the same spirit, I can’t think of an endeavor more ageless than taking care of a loved one.  Bringing the convenience of online and mobile technology to organize one’s caregiving is exactly what Caregiver’s Touch is all about.

Carrie Hastriter, Co-Founder, Caregiver’s Touch