In today害羞草研究所檚 fast-paced digital age, catching up to the latest technology gadget can seem insurmountable for seniors.
Helping bridge the technology age-gap, twins Daniel and Rebecca Alfred and Sam Jamieson, all Enactus Okanagan College students, have stepped up to connect 28 Missionwood Retirement Resort residents with 15 student volunteers for hands-on tablet tutorials throughout the month of March.
Over the course of four sessions, the Silver Surfers project covered the basics of how to use an iPad from turning it on, adjusting volume controls, taking pictures, FaceTiming with family, and how to post, like and comment on Facebook.
害羞草研究所淲orking part-time at Missionwood, I害羞草研究所檇 see family members give the gift of a tablet to their grandparent, but without showing them how to use it,害羞草研究所� said Daniel Alfred, now in his third year of a Bachelor of Business Administration degree at Okanagan College. 害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檇 help where I could, but I knew more could be done. That sparked the idea of Silver Surfers.害羞草研究所�
He points out that research has shown that many seniors face depression and isolation. Silver Surfers was developed with the goal of helping them reconnect with their loved ones by using the very technology they were being gifted to alleviate these feelings.
First lesson: taking a selfie.
害羞草研究所淚t was a great ice-breaker with the volunteers, and was quite fun to see these individuals, many over 70 years young, discover the phenomenon of the selfie,害羞草研究所� added Alfred. 害羞草研究所淚t was incredible to see the relationships forming, and the true connections.害羞草研究所�
害羞草研究所淚 enjoyed the students so much,害羞草研究所� said resident Lois Patterson. 害羞草研究所淭hey were very kind, helpful, and patient with us seniors.害羞草研究所�
Complementing the hands-on learning experience, the three business students designed an illustrative booklet with step-by-step instructions to help refresh the memory of the tablet users ongoing.
TELUS Kelowna generously loaned five 3G enabled iPads to the cause, and has committed to doing so again as the program expands to other residences. The project is also branching out across the region after Enactus Okanagan College at the Salmon Arm campus expressed interest in launching Silver Surfers at a seniors害羞草研究所� residence in the community.
