Older adults and digital literacy: when technology empowers

Procedures, purchases, medical appointments, recreation and communication with loved ones are some of the objectives to be met by older adults when relating to

.

While many turn to their children for help, many others choose to familiarize themselves with this universe full of buttons and screens that can sometimes seem so far away.

"

," summed up

Zulema, 76, when explaining his entry into a digital literacy group for older adults.

“My intention was to learn computers because I didn't understand anything and I was very interested,” he added.

Thus, among his main achievements he listed: "The main thing was to insert myself into this world that I did not know, communicate with others, with my friends, with my people -whether via email or cell phone, since the telephone did not know how to use it- and to know about the news that interested me through Google”.

Virginia Tejada Andrade

and

are teachers and in 2007 they created ClicMayores, a project that, virtually or in person, offers training courses to bridge the digital gap in this age segment.

The trainings include topics such as the Internet, social networks and smartphones.

Photo Shutterstock

With the

the program experienced a hitherto unprecedented boom: restrictions and precautions had to be taken by these generations, learning to use different electronic devices became essential.

Older adults, communication and entertainment

With the purpose of promoting digital inclusion, the training focuses on the Internet, social networks, smartphones and everything that brings older adults closer to technology.

They are accessed by people between 50 and 90 years old.

Many older adults learn about technology to feel more connected.

Photo Shutterstock

Although at first the attendance of women led these free courses and workshops with 80% registration, after the pandemic the presence of men increased by 40%, the spokespersons said.

They all come to learn how to use

At age 67 Emma decided that she “wanted to learn about today's technology”.

She, who, according to what she said, "didn't even know how to use the computer and had difficulties learning about the Internet", today sees the fruits of her training: "I use it daily, even to help my grandson with his homework, to send emails and to use Word”, he assured proudly.

Zuppelli mentioned that "connectivity and technology taken as a communication tool" are the fundamental factors for which they approach their proposal.

“A digitally literate older adult can access many platforms to communicate with his peers,” she said.

Other points of interest go hand in hand with fun and entertainment, she added.

How to bring an older adult closer to technology

Specialists affirm that the instruction of these generations must be approached in a special way.

Photo illustration Shutterstock.

The instruction of these generations must be approached in a special way, taking into account all the particularities of this segment.

“I got closer so I wouldn't be digitally illiterate,” said María Cristina, 75.

The results were more than encouraging: “Today I use it for paperwork, to connect with other groups and people, and to be more in communication.

I have my 93-year-old ex-mother-in-law who lives in Italy and at least three times a week we make video calls.

It is a way of being close to the people you love”.

For Zuppelli, most of the digital systems that older adults must use on a daily basis "

": "We talk with our students on a daily basis about the lack of assistance that entities give them on the subject of technology and the difficulty that represents in their day to day”, he pointed out after giving ATMs as an example.

ClicMayores was born in 2007 and experienced its greatest boom with the coronavirus pandemic.

Photo courtesy.

Within this framework, the entrepreneur explained that the "secret of success" in this type of training is "contemplating a wide variety of factors, such as using appropriate language for an older adult, working to lose fear of

and Above all, the most important thing is to see from the eyes and situation of an older adult, understanding their fears and inexperience”.

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