Using mobile technology to stay connected is new to many older adults. However, during this unusual time with a pandemic threatening the most vulnerable members of our society, many older adults are stepping out of their comfort zones and learning how to connect virtually. One such group is the Foster Grandparent Program of Harris County, a program of Senior Corps. This large group of older adults has been embracing technology by participating in ZOOM Cloud Meetings calls since April of this year.
We, at BridgingApps are so lucky to be a part of these monthly meetings. We have shared a variety of app ideas with the members including those for entertainment like Hoopla Digital, Libby, by Overdrive, and Audible to listen to audiobooks and Explore.org to enjoy nature from the comfort of their own homes. We have also shared apps that can be helpful in getting things done such as Doctor on Demand for telehealth and Notarize for getting important documents notarized electronically.
Participants are also encouraged to ask questions about the websites and apps they are using on their smartphones, tablets, and computers. During the July meeting, one of the participants reported that she and her extended family have begun using ZOOM to connect for family get-togethers and how much enjoyment they have gotten out of doing this. We are so proud to have played a part in strengthening her technology skills so that she is able to participate in these family ZOOM parties. If you are interested in learning more about the resources we have for older adults, check out our Seniors & Caregivers page of our website. Here we have collected how-to videos and printable instructions as well as app lists to help anyone learn more about technology regardless of their current skill level.
