Fifty- or sixty-something couple sitting at Next50 table, wearing name tags hanging from green neck ribbons. Man, on left, is wearing a red shirt and has a short gray beard and a full head of mixed gray-and-black hair. Woman, on right, has mostly dark shoulder-length hair and is wearing glasses, a blue shirt, and a gray visor.

Fintech for Seniors: The Next50 Project

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*May is Older Americans Month*

Thanks to a generous grant from the Next50 Foundation, BridgingApps has been able to significantly expand our fintech (sometimes written FinTech, and short for “financial technology”) services in 2025. Our fintech education programs, usually delivered to small groups of older adults, explain how apps aid such skills as:

  • Building confidence in one’s financial and digital literacy
  • Budgeting/expense tracking
  • Financial planning
  • Online banking
  • Online safety
  • Being alert to possible scams

Using mobile technology to improve the physical, mental, social, and financial health of older adults … [providing] the tools and skills our older neighbors need to maintain independence as thriving members of our community.

–Elise Hough, CEO of Easter Seals Greater Houston, on the goals of fintech education

Our classes meet with various groups, including Veterans and participants from:

We also offer virtual coaching, and appointments at our assistive-technology labs. Our BridgingApps fintech instructors are Tara Rocha, Digital Learning Specialist; and Alejandra Gonzalez, Digital Navigator.

Fifty- or sixty-something couple sitting at Next50 table, wearing name tags hanging from green neck ribbons. Man, on left, is wearing a red shirt and has a short gray beard and a full head of mixed gray-and-black hair. Woman, on right, has mostly dark shoulder-length hair and is wearing glasses, a blue shirt, and a gray visor.
Two of our Next50 regulars from Catholic Charities.

The next step is to increase our focus on Spanish-speaking and rural groups who have been a challenge to reach.

–Alejandra Gonzalez

Fintech Apps: A Sample

For specific fintech-app recommendations, check out:

Sharpen Your Fintech, Safeguard Your Funds

Fintech skills also include protecting your money from scammers. Privacy and online safety are regular class topics, because older adults are frequent targets of digital scams. By learning to be discerning consumers, participants are better able to avoid fake emergencies, suspicious “deals,” and requests for unusual forms of payment (e.g., gift cards or cryptocurrency).

For fighting digital scams with digital technology, Alejandra Gonzalez recommends WasItAI, which is available for free. It helps weed out AI-generated “photos” by scanning images and rating their likelihood of being genuine or faked.

See also:

About Next50

Since 2016, Denver-based Next50 has been a leader in “creating a world that values aging.” It emphasizes:

  • Independence and dignity
  • Opportunities for senior, low-income, and disabled individuals
  • Innovative and affordable services, provided by a wide range of partners and grant recipients
  • Respect and inclusion for all

BridgingApps and Easter Seals Greater Houston thank Next50 for all it has made possible—for us, and for our clients who benefit from fintech-training opportunities.

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