The rate at which technology advances is frightening. But for older generations, it can be overwhelming.
The rate at which technology advances is frightening. For those who have grown up with the internet and YouTube and Facebook, keeping up to date with the changes can be hard enough. But for older generations, it can be overwhelming.
Devices such as mobiles and laptops used to be items of convenience; now, it seems, they’re indispensable in an age so reliant on technology. That’s why BASScare is running computer classes for seniors (65+), demonstrating everything from how to switch on a mobile to how internet banking works.
You can sit down for a one-on-one session with a knowledgeable volunteer or join one of the weekly group sessions on a set topic. Once you become familiar and comfortable with technology, you’ll find a whole new world open to you. One that provides convenience, entertainment and, most importantly, socialisation.
There are three computer sessions run each week on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Each session runs from 1:30 to 3:30 and is split into two 1-hour classes. All up, there are six slots available each week.
Many older Australians find it hard to get out and about as they once did. This can make it hard to shop for fresh and healthy produce, or any items needed about the home.
Thankfully, all the big supermarkets offer home-delivery these days; all you need is a computer or mobile and access to the internet. You can also find access to transportation services, such as Uber or Silvertop, and even the BASScare community bus.
There are also apps that connect to your local pharmacy and facilitate prescription refills. The friendly, informative volunteers who run the tech sessions can help you with any questions you might have.
Isolation and loneliness are all too common in our society today. For a lot of older Australians, this is due mainly to a lack of mobility and a lack of familiarity with technology. The knowledgeable volunteers who run the tech sessions at BASScare can demonstrate how a simple mobile device can help you stay connected to the wider world.
Mobiles can be programmed to display larger apps and buttons, making it easier to navigate, and there’s also the option to have emails and texts read aloud for the visually impaired. Most importantly, there are numerous apps and services these days that make chatting and texting with friends and family the simplest of tasks. With technology on your side, those dearest to you are never too far away.
While a lot of these apps and services may seem daunting to begin with, our brilliant volunteers who run the tech sessions will have you texting and posting like a teenager in no time.
How often have parents told their kids to get off the computer and go play outside? Well, it turns out those kids were on to something. While never a substitute for physical activity and spending time in nature, electronic games do come with their own advantages that older Australians can certainly benefit from.
Computer games can help promote dexterity and hand-eye coordination, and have been found to improve memory and spatial orientation. They can also create another line of communication with younger relatives and, quite simply, they can be fun and entertaining.
Speaking of entertainment, the amount of high-quality TV and movie streaming services is growing by the day. Their apps are easy to use – once our tech volunteers show you how – and there are even smart TVs that come with the apps preinstalled. The amount of entertainment options out there has never been more varied. Soon, you’ll be bored to tears by another viewing of Frozen with the grandkids, or down at the dining hall discussing what really happened to Tony Soprano.
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