Connecting seniors through technology
Shannon LeClair Times Reporter
On Aug. 15 the federal government officially announced a funding agreement for the New Horizons Seniors program. The program is designed to help ensure that seniors are able to benefit from their community, while contributing to the quality of life through social participation and active living.
The grant, given by the government, gave Strathmore’s regional branch of Bow Valley College (BVC) an opportunity to be able to purchase laptops so that they may offer a Connecting Seniors program.
“The reason we purchased laptops and not desktops is so that I would have the flexibility because the consideration was the isolation factor and that they often won’t leave…to come out to programming, so we brought the programming to them which was fantastic,” said Teri McKinnon, Regional Lead for education and business development for BVC Strathmore/Chestermere.
Connecting Seniors encourages seniors to begin adopting technology into their daily lives. There are four classes in each session that are an hour and a half each. One session was already held in June and the following three sessions will take place at the Wheatland Lodge, BVC and at Sagewood.
“One of the sessions that we have in the series is digital photography and Facebook and Skype, so they can communicate to their grandkids,” said McKinnon.
“Their kids usually buy them computers because they want to keep in touch but then mom and dad don’t know how to use them. It’s critical to keep them connected to their families especially in rural because when they have to go into a residence it is far away from their family.”
The other three classes include computer basics, introduction to the Internet and digital photography. Thanks to the funding from the government, BVC was able to purchase 12 laptops and is able to offer the sessions free of charge to those interested.
“The government of Canada, Canadian taxpayers and Canadian citizens support every effort possible to enhance and enrich the lives of Canadian seniors including right here in Strathmore,” said MP Kevin Sorenson.
“In communities large and small the New Horizons program for seniors helps to ensure that seniors are able to benefit from and contribute to the quality of life in their community through their social participation and their active living.
“We’re very pleased as a government of Canada to be able to partner with good people like Bow Valley College and know that we’re making a difference, not just across Canada, but right here in Strathmore.”
Among seniors, only 51 per cent ages 64 to 74 use the Internet. That number falls to 27 per cent for those over the age of 75.
The session at Sagewood had six participants. Elizabeth and Ernie Gulka both signed up for the classes.
“I wanted to learn more about computers, I had a basic knowledge but it’s so great to go into an in-depth (class) on what a computer can do for you,” said Elizabeth.
“It intimidates you but I feel more comfortable now sitting down in front of the computer, I know what I am doing, and it can’t talk back to me, I can talk to it.”
For Ernie it was to gain a little more knowledge and to not be scared of it. Irene Dougan’s older sister lives on Vancouver Island and had told Dougan that she needs a computer so that they would be able to communicate a little better. She kind of liked the idea, but said it’s one thing to think about it and another to actually do it.
“I didn’t have a computer, so I thought yeah I’ll just think about it, but then when the course became available and I thought, hey you know that’s a good idea I should, the opportunity is here,” said Dougan.
Anne Crossan had used computers at times throughout her working life, but it has been years since she was last on one. She said it is like learning from the beginning for her, but she also took part in the classes because the opportunity is there.