New PHR technology too much for my parent's generation? I don't think so!

I was reading and responding to Regina Holliday's latest post, Rosa Parks in Health Care, when I read this:

The paper transfer has been used for years. The poor, the illiterate and elderly were comfortable with the current system and would not be able to understand a new electronic version. Those favoring change pointed out the favorable outcome of less wait time, faster processing and ability to aggregate data. All these argument fluttered around us, as we said goodbye to the paper version of the National Capital Metrobus transfer and hello to the Metro Smartrip Card.

It occurred to me that my parent's generation have adapted to a lot of technology over the years.  My parents were born in 1937. I decided to see if I could list just some of the things they have adopted and adapted to during their lives since then:

1. electricity and all that came with it
2. light bulbs
3. ball point pen
4. ViewMaster
5. fiberglass
6. electric tools
7. vacuum cleaner
8. indoor plumbing
9. indoor toilets
10. home cameras
11. polaroid camera
12. modern refrigerator (they used the spring house until then)
13. electric washer and dryer (I remember my mother using a wringer washer and hanging clothes on the line)
14. widespread use of the telephone
15. jukebox
16. record player
17. electric skillets, mixers, and more
18. television
19. communications satellites
20. color television
21. 8-track players
22. cassette player
23. DNA sequencing/typing
24. video cameras
25. walkman
26. use of x-ray and CD imaging
27. Magnetic resonance imaging
28. credit cards
29. air travel
30. crockpots
31. electric (home) hair dryers, curling irons, etc.
32. bar codes
33. calculators
34. scientific calculators
35. batteries
36. rechargeable batteries
37. solar powered chargers and calculators (and more)
38. digital thermometers
39. super glue
40. post-it notes
41. velcro
42. integrated circuits
43. turbo-charged engines
44. jet engines
45. riding mowers
46. leaf blowers
47. edge trimmers and weed eaters
48. pacemakers
49. typewriter
50. electric typewriter
51. remote controls
52. word processors
53. electric dishwashers
54. home air conditioning (window units and central air)
55. video games
56. disposable camera
57. medical imaging of all sorts
58. computer
59. microchips
60. VCR (and even the BETA players)
61. camcorders
62. cable tv
63. satellite tv
64. PDA's
65. CD's and CD players
66. digital cameras
67. self-cleaning ovens
68. icemakers
69. microwave oven
70. ATMs and ATM cards
71. DVDs and DVD players
72. mp3 players
73. cell phones
74. smart phones
75. Wii (I can't forget that!)

And that's just to start.  For all that is listed above, we could all add a lot more, I'm sure.  What I'm trying to say is my parents' generation CAN adapt to PHRs/EMRs if they wish, especially if the technology is developed to work with the cell phone users*. They've adapted to and adopted a whole lot more than we have.   My parents can even tether a phone to their laptop while traveling in their RV.  They know where/how to find the best hot spots, too. 

We must remember that in 10 years there will be a whole new, technology-savvy group moving into the 65+ demographic.   Are we prepared for that?

*According to research done by PewInternet, 83% of adults have cell phones.