Council on Aging (COA) is a Sonoma-based nonprofit organization that has been serving older adults since 1966. They provide nutritional, fiduciary, and social services and now, thanks to a partnership with Community Tech Network, access to technology support.
As part of Sonoma County’s Access to Technology (ATT) initiative, funded by the California Department of Aging, Community Tech Network partnered with COA to help reduce older adults’ isolation by teaching them to use technology.
CTN provided in-person group technology classes at Council on Aging offices. COA also referred some of their clients who were homebound or unable to attend the on-site classes to participate in CTN’s Home Connect Program, which offered folks the chance to receive one-on-one, virtual digital skills training from their homes.
All learners received training in their preferred language at no cost. They also received tablets, a six-month data plan, and assistance in signing up for low-cost home internet to use after the initial six months. COA promoted Home Connect with newsletter articles and advertised the opportunity on its website and through its popular Lunch & Learns.
As part of its nutritional services, COA delivers thousands of meals daily to homebound older adults and also offers Drive Up Pick Up sites where seniors who are still driving can collect chef-prepared meals. Additionally, COA provides free meals at community dining sites for those looking to socialize. Oftentimes, these meals will be accompanied by a free informational session, such as about Medicare or other important topics.
In collaboration with CTN, COA hosted a Lunch & Learn about online scams. This session was open to anyone, and attendees could sign up for Home Connect afterward if they were interested in learning more about technology.
The Council on Aging’s Denise Johnson says: “Now there’s one more wonderful thing [technology support] that we can add to our services and what we offer. … Many older adults who have bought devices on their own were frustrated because they didn’t know how to use them and couldn’t afford training. You can have a beautiful bike, but it’s useless if you don’t know how to ride it.”
She continues: “Being online helps seniors in so many ways. Social isolation and depression are serious issues. People were excited to register for this and become more connected with others through technology.
“Seniors still want to be savvy. They want to stay up to date on what’s happening. They want to be able to do research and read articles.
“This is an amazing partnership. If any program will assist seniors, I want to be part of it.”
Pictured: Phil Schutt, a CTN instructor, at a COA Lunch & Learn
Comments are closed.