Articles, activities for boomers & seniors
One of the highlights of my trip to the 2014 AARP Conference in Boston was being able to view the premier of the movie Cyber Seniors.
The very entertaining film documented the experiences of high school students and the seniors they mentored on using some of the latest technologies, like Facebook, YouTube, Skype and the Internet.
On the ride home I remember thinking - since Senior Corps RSVP is open to anyone age 55 and older why couldn’t the same type of “mentoring” occur between two different generations of seniors. Certainly there are plenty of people in their 50’s and 60’s who are comfortable with some forms of technology and I’ll bet some of them would be willing and able to “mentor” someone with little to no experience with social media.
Why not? I, myself, fit into that group I was describing. Didn’t I do that for my mom? It started with my smart phone. Each time I was with her I could see how much she enjoyed when I would pull out my phone and share the latest posts by her grandchildren. So I suggested to my brothers and sisters that we get her a tablet for Christmas. I set up my mom, at the age of 89, with email and her own Facebook page.
What excitement when her grandchildren, one by one, accepted her Friend Request. How it tickled them to see their Grammy was on Facebook! She has 14 grandchildren, and now 2 great grandchildren, to keep track of. It puts a smile on my face each time I see that my mom, who turns 91 this month, LIKES something on Facebook.
If my mom and I can do this, then why not others? I am no expert with any of this technology. I can remember the first time I had to use a desktop computer for a part time job. That was 25 years ago using the DOS operating system. I feared I would push the wrong key – one that would most certainly erase some key piece of information. I have come a long way since then, but still have a long way to go. I do, however, know enough about some things to share with someone else who is eager to continuing learning with me.
Senior Corps RSVP of Lehigh, Northampton & Carbon Counties is launching a special Cyber Seniors initiative beginning this Spring. We are looking for adult volunteers who are willing and able to work one-on-one with an older adult who is eager to learn about the internet or other types of social media as a way to connect with information and/or family and friends.
If you are interested in the Cyber Seniors initiative, contact Senior Corps RSVP. Call 610-625-2290. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Visit: www.RSVPofLNC.org.