Seniors get help with tech at ‘Summer Technology Camp’

Seniors in Huron County had an opportunity to get help with their tech devices. CTV London’s Scott Miller explains.

Shirley Lamb is the first to admit, she’s fallen behind on the technology highway.

“I have a computer that was given to me two years ago, and I don’t know even how to turn it on,” she said.

Lamb and many other seniors in need of tech help came to Wednesday’s “Senior’s Technology Summer Camp” at the Goderich Legion to get all their tech questions answered, and they’ve got plenty of questions.

“I want to learn how to use the iPhone and iPad. I need more direction and someone to help me figure out what to do next,” said Catherine McMeekin.

“I need to be updated a little bit, I think, and making sure that I’m not getting scammed. Because I have been in the past,” said Jeanne Bannerman.

Scams were just one of the many things that were brought forward at the tech help day, put on by the Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health, which is a rural healthcare research institute based in Huron County.

“So tech is super overwhelming and it’s constantly changing. It can be a very overwhelming thing for seniors to try and keep up with. So we are trying to bridge that gap, and kind of create one on one tech help, where someone can just sit with them and walk them through it,” said Julie Wein, a research assistant with the Gateway Centre.

Not knowing how to check your e-mail can not only be frustrating, it can affect senior’s mental health as well, according to Gateway researchers.

“We’re definitely seeing social isolation and lack of connection with the community that comes along with not being literate in the digital culture and computers. And, we’re definitely seeing that loneliness in seniors in the community, especially in the rural area where we’ve got farmers and people who may not be living in town, and who may be especially isolated in society,” said Wein, who organized the “Senior’s Technology Summer Camp.”

For the many, many seniors taking advantage of the tech help today, it’s a much needed boost to their confidence when it comes to living in a digital world.

“It’ll be really helpful. Absolutely. Look at how many people are here. It’s amazing,” said Bannerman.

“I want to feel that I’m in the real world, because everybody’s using it. I can use it, but to a very limited degree,” said McMeekin.

“I’ve been waiting for this to happen for lessons for the seniors, and I’m really impressed with the number of people that have come. Obviously, I’m not the only one that’s lost when it come to devices,” said Lamb.

While today’s “Seniors Technology Camp’ is sort of the kickoff to summer, there’s actually tech help happening every Wednesday morning at the Goderich Legion, through the Gateway Centre for Excellence in Rural Health. No sign up is required.