Digital Tools to Improve Senior’s Everyday Skills and Lifestyle!
This program is an opportunity for older members of society to improve their lives through a better understanding of current and emerging media and the use of digital tools.
The purpose of this program is not to use digital tools because they are available. This is not a course on how to use a smartphone. The purpose is to increase the literacy and competence of seniors so that they might have a better quality of life.
The program is so named as it draws upon two related areas of study – Media Literacy and Digital Competence. Both of these areas would easily fill a book, or two, but if we are to understand the purpose of the program it is important to understand these two terms.
Media Literacy allows us to develop the habits of inquiry and skills of expression that (we) need to be critical thinkers, effective communicators, and active citizens in today’s world.1
Specific to this program then, is first, the ability to access and evaluate the many images, text, video, and sounds, we see daily. More and more of these arrive via a smartphone or computer, and they play an important part in our contemporary culture. Second, is the ability to communicate competently using the media available, on a personal basis. Of course, Media Literacy concerns all media, television, film, and radio, as well as digital media, but for the sake of this course, the primary focus is the latter.
Digital Competence refers to the confident and critical use of digital technologies for information, communication, and basic problem-solving in all aspects of life. The EU Parliament has included Digital Competence as one of the eight core competencies for lifelong learning.2
Here we are looking to understand, and support, a person’s ability to use Information Technology (IT) in a specific context. How might someone view a video be, how might they share and view images, and how might music be listened to and saved are three examples that come to mind.
The purpose of this program is to discover what digital tools and skillsets can be brought into play to help solve the problems faced by an aging population. It is a program about accessibility, citizenship, relationships, collaboration, safety, and most importantly participation in our digital society.
Digital Skills for Smart Seniors
The Smart Seniors Program
Overview of the program modules
Module 1: What Does Digital Mean to Me?
In the first module of our program, we introduce basic terms and fundamental technologies. You will learn how digital applications can facilitate social participation and help you maintain independence. Our focus in this module are on the constantly evolving opportunities to improve the quality of life in old age.
Module 2: Communication, Social Media, eLearning
Acquire easy-to-learn skills to stay in touch with others online. In this module, we show you how to participate in the lives of family and friends around the world. Instructional videos and social media channels also allow you to discover and learn new things at your own pace. You can acquire new skills and have fun learning in a virtual classroom.
Module 3: Mobility, Travel, Accommodation
Bus trip? Air travel? The fastest way to a new café? Cab or “Clever Shuttle”? Planning your travels can be simple! In this module, you will learn how to use the internet to plan routes, book tickets, or find the best local hotel. You will also be introduced to different apps that will help you increase mobility and discover the world in new ways.
Module 4: Shopping, Cooking, Diet, Health.
Eating right and living healthy? Mobile applications also make cooking and shopping easier! Many seniors today are already ready to use digital technologies for their health. Discover the convenience of online shopping and how to search for recipes online — even for special diets or food intolerances.
In this module, you receive an introduction to the various apps that offer one-stop shopping and cooking with 24/7 convenience. Stay fit with new ideas.
Module 5: Comfort, Security, Privacy, Smarthome
Today, technology is also closely linked to security issues. The keywords are computer viruses, cybersecurity, data protection, and voice assistants such as Siri and Alexa. Extremely helpful assistance systems such as surveillance cameras or technologies for monitoring people’s whereabouts should be used with caution. This involves aspects such as personal privacy but also risks of misuse by unauthorized persons.
This module offers cybersecurity tips so you can learn how to avoid becoming a victim of online fraud. Enjoy easy and secure service from your digital assistants.
Module 6: Creativity and Design Smart Seniors
Today we live in an age of images. But often digital images lose their power when they are just stored somewhere. Maybe even in the cloud of the cloud. Especially for older people, the possibility of creating tangible and giftable books, calendars, or other products is a gratifying task.
The process of collecting and sorting is a process that can take place together with grandchildren or children and thus takes on an important function itself. No matter if it is memories from the recent past or those from far back. This module aims to help digitize pictures or films and to be creative with them.
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Digitalization and Aging
The Internet and connected digital technologies are becoming increasingly integrated into more and more areas of everyday life. Today, homebound seniors can order and organize necessary services online as well as communicate with family and friends without ever leaving their apartment.
Mobility, medical needs, diet, loneliness, hearing, vision, and memory can become pressing problems as we age. Digital technologies can bring back many lost opportunities and thus increase the quality of life for many people.
New tools and services are emerging in varying degrees of complexity. Grandchildren or relatives are not always willing and able to provide optimal tech and user support. For older generations to benefit from available opportunities, they need more than the ability to download apps to their smartphones or transfer money via online banking. They will need to learn literacy independently, within their chosen community, and with a purpose.
The Smart Seniors Learning Objective
This program offers structured, practice-oriented learning opportunities. This is intended to teach seniors, supporters, professional helpers, and families how to use digital tools playfully and purposefully. In addition to introductions to each topic, practical tasks are offered to address specific needs. We learn what we need and use what we’ve learned — together.
Who Should Participate?
This course is intended for older adults who are interested in being proficient online. No digital experience is required. Family and professional caregivers are also invited to attend. Above all, participants should bring curiosity and openness to developing new digital skills.
All of the courses in this program have flexible components that can be adapted to address specific individual needs or the needs of participating groups.
Why this Program Offers Added Value
For “smart seniors” in particular, the digital world offers many advantages. Digital offerings can help them live self-determined lives for as long as possible, even if their mobility is limited.
This program offers the opportunity for “shared learning,” i.e., strengthening social bonds between participants, family, and caregivers, through targeted interaction in the exploration of digital technologies and services.
The development of digital competencies should be viewed as a step from basic skills to productive and strategic personal competence in the information age. Mastering basic digital tools is the first step toward independence, skills, and attitudes.
What will I Gain by Participating in this Program?
From an interview with program creator, Warren Laine-Naida, and Prof. Dr. Margrit Schreier, February 5, 2020, for the Volkshochschule Bremen3
Since we live in a digital world, it’s important that older adults and seniors aren’t excluded from a lack of literacy. Access keeps the community together instead of widening the digital divide between users of technology and non-users.
Our culture needs to honor the generation before us. Providing literacy puts everyone in the same community — teaching and honoring one another — Without digital literacy, seniors will become disengaged and distanced from social development.
Third, and very importantly, there is a social aspect to participating in the program. Learning with others, exchanging, and meeting new people. Stimulating, self-determined learning with others takes advantage of neuroplasticity, decreases loneliness, and increases purpose.
How can the program help me live a self-determined life?
People have always used technology to solve problems – especially today when many of these tools are voice-activated or fit in your pocket, older people should not be excluded from this. Seniors also want to have a say. They want to participate. Active participation in society should be possible for everyone. Competence and literacy is a prerequisite for this.
Technology, devices, apps – whatever we call them — are also just tools. We use tools to solve problems, and to improve our quality of life.
Everything is changing so fast – how can I keep up?
It’s not a question of keeping up — it’s a question of participating. Gaining competence, joining in, and participating. Let’s break down the fear by using the tools.
What does the program look like? There are several individual courses – do I have to take them all?
The Smart Seniors Program is divided into six individual modules. When you have participated in three modules, you receive a certificate. This digital literacy certificate is akin to a driver’s license.
Each module takes place over two weeks with homework in between. Week 1 focuses on Information. This is not a lecture. We engage the seniors in conversation. What do they want to learn? What everyday problems do they have that technology can solve? Do they want to learn to cook better, Zoom with their grandkids, or write their life story?
The homework will be based on individual needs. We learn not only from one story but many.
Can I participate alone or does someone from my family have to be there?
Of course, you can. You are welcome to participate alone. Both for independent seniors and those with care needs.
What is the benefit for Professional Caregivers?
Professionals can learn something for themselves. The big problem in caregiving is a lack of time. Digital applications are a time-saving factor, which means more time for the essentials — the caring.
Digital is also low intensity — online is easier, faster, and provides mental stimulation. Digital tools and games can also be a takeaway of in-home care.
What about hearing and vision problems? Aren’t they a problem with the Internet?
With smart media, the device is right in front of us. There are many individual settings such as subtitle insertion, volume adjustment, as well as image and text size. Unlike television, with a video, we can pause and replay it. Digital media are adaptable to individual needs.
3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uk8rzKoi8H0
First image: Smart Senior foto by https://www.pexels.com/@mentatdgt-330508
Second image: foto by https://www.pexels.com/@hasanalbari