Maine (WABI) – A recent study done by AARP shows that 72% of the Mainers surveyed, agree that older adults have trouble keeping up with technology.
The National Digital Equity Center’s Maine Digital Inclusion Initiative was launched in 2018 with a mission to close the digital divide in our state.
As Joy Hollowell reports, a big part of that is providing free training to those 55 and older.
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“In order to be connected to vital services, people need to learn these skills. And there’s just fewer and fewer alternative options,” says Hannah Cyrus, Digital Media Librarian for Bangor Public Library.
Which means more and more Mainers are now trying to play catch up when it comes to technology.
“The big difference though, is that it tends to be the older user is really more interested in the prevalent, more mainstream technology,” says Jim Lenehan, Technology Editor, AARP The Magazine. “Not always looking for- what’s the latest gadget right? They just want to know how they can use the technology they have, better.”
The National Digital Equity Center’s Maine Digital Inclusion Initiative offers free digital skills classes to all Maine residents.
“We have a whole series on Aging Well with Technology,” says Sue Corbett, Founder and Executive Director, Digital Equity Center.
Courses range from understanding how to use email and internet search engines, all the way to creating budgets and spreadsheets online. Internet safety is a big focus for this age group.
“62% of our students are 55 years and older,” says Corbett. “About 8% are 80 and older.”
The classes are small and range from a one hour course, to three one-hour classes. They can be taken online or at 250 partner sites around the state.
“It’s really about making people feel comfortable with technology,” says Corbett.
In addition to free courses, the Digital Center also has 60 trained digital navigators who services are free to use.
“These are the boots on the ground people,” explains Corbett. “These are the ones that will meet someone in a library. And that person may bring in their new phone and needs help setting it up.”
This fall, the Bangor Public Library is teaming up with the Digital Equity Center to offer several two to three week sessions. The library already provides hybrid technology workshops as well as one on one tech tutoring, all for free.
Digital Media Librarian Hannah Cyrus says Intro to Computers and the Internet as well as Smartphone Basics are their most popular classes.
“It’s a lot of people who are retired, older folks who are really looking for help with this,” says Cyrus. “They tried to get help from their friends and family but not everybody is very patient. Just because you know how to use something doesn’t mean you’re a good teacher.”
Cyrus says the average age of her senior students is 60 to 70 but she has plenty in their 80s and 90s as well. They want to learn things like how to Facetime with their family, participate in a Telehealth appointment or even fill out an application online.
“I had a one-on-one session with a patron last week where pretty much all we did for our hour long session was practice how she could answer a phone call,” she says.
Technology workshops as well as one on one tech tutoring through the Bangor Public Library are open to all Maine residents, free of charge.
You can sign up through their website or call Hannah Cyrus directly at 922-6055.
You can sign up for classes and one on one digital navigators through the National Digital Equity Center’s website. Just click on the need help button.
You can also refer someone to this free service through that link.
If you prefer to call, the center can be reached at 259-5010.
And just a note, an adult of any age is welcome to take any of the courses offered.
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