This 81-year-old proves it is never too late to learn something new

It is never too late to learn.

An 81-year-old Japanese woman is making headlines for creating an app relating to a Japanese tradition.

Masako Wakamiya, a former banker, only learned how to use a computer at the age of 60.

Speaking at a TED x Tokyo conference Wakamiya said she started looking after her elderly mother and needed to feel connected with the world.

That is what prompted her first computer purchase and she has not looked back.

In fact, it was through using digital devices she found ‘her wings’.

“Now is the time to do it,” she said.

She encouraged young people attending the conference to inspire their parents and grandparents to try something new, just as she had. 

The app she made, called Hinadan, shows people the correct way to place their traditional doll displays, ahead of Hinamatsuri, known as Girl’s Day, in Japan.

It plays as a game, where a player must position the dolls in their correct positions.

Wakamiya told Mashable she was taught Apple’s Swift programming language via Skype and Facebook Messenger by a ‘young person’.

“The reason for making this application is that many smartphone apps are for young people and [there] are almost no apps that the elderly can enjoy,” Wakamiya said.

“I [would] encourage [old people] to start having fun experiences using computers.”

It seems she has been having a lot of fun with technology herself.

Wakamiya has also done some art blogs using Excel to create traditional Japanese patterns and has also published vlogs (video blogs) of her international travels.

What have you learned to do at an older age?