Maine (WABI) – A recent AARP study shows that 72% of Maine residents surveyed believe older adults have difficulty keeping up with technology.
The National Digital Equity Center’s Maine Digital Inclusion Initiative was launched in 2018 with the goal of closing the digital divide in our state.
As Joy Hollowell reports, a big part of this involves offering free training to people ages 55 and older.
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“To access vital services, people need to learn these skills. And there are simply fewer and fewer alternatives,” says Hannah Cyrus, digital media librarian at the Bangor Public Library.
This means that more and more Maine residents are trying to catch up when it comes to technology.
“The big difference, however, is that older users are more likely to be interested in the more mainstream, more common technology,” says Jim Lenehan, technology editor at AARP The Magazine. “They’re not always looking for the latest gadget, are they? They just want to know how to better use the technology they have.”
The National Digital Equity Center’s Maine Digital Inclusion Initiative offers free digital skills training to all Maine residents.
“We have a whole series on aging well with technology,” says Sue Corbett, founder and executive director of the Digital Equity Center.
Courses range from learning how to use email and internet search engines to creating budgets and spreadsheets online. Internet safety is a big issue for this age group.
“Sixty-two percent of our students are 55 years old and older,” says Corbett. “About 8% are 80 years old and older.”
Classes are small, ranging from one one-hour class to three one-hour classes, and can be taken online or at 250 partner locations across the state.
“It’s really about getting people to feel comfortable with the technology,” says Corbett.
In addition to the free courses, the Digital Center also has 60 trained digital navigators whose services can be used free of charge.
“These are the people on the ground,” explains Corbett. “These are the people who meet someone at a library. And that person may bring their new phone and need help setting it up.”
This fall, the Bangor Public Library is partnering with the Digital Equity Center to offer several two- to three-week courses. The library already offers free hybrid technology workshops as well as one-on-one technology instruction.
According to Hannah Cyrus, digital media librarian, her most popular courses are “Introduction to Computers and the Internet” and “Smartphone Basics.”
“A lot of retirees and older people are really looking for help,” Cyrus says. “They’ve tried to get help from their friends and family, but not everyone 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 older students is in their 60s and 70s, but she also has many in their 80s and 90s. They want to learn things like Facetime with their family, make a telehealth appointment or even fill out an online application.
“I had a one-on-one session with a client last week where the one-hour session was basically just practicing how she might answer a phone call,” she says.
Technology workshops and personalized technology instruction through the Bangor Public Library are available free of charge to all Maine residents.
You can sign up through her website or call Hannah Cyrus directly at 922-6055.
You can register for courses and individual digital navigators through the National Digital Equity Center website. Just click the “Need Help” button.
You can also refer someone to this free service using this link.
If you prefer to call, you can reach the center at 259-5010.
And one more note: adults of all ages are welcome to participate in all courses offered.
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