MAINE (WABI) – A recent AARP survey found that 72% of Mainers surveyed agree that seniors are having a hard time keeping up with technology.
The National Digital Equality Center’s Maine Digital Inclusion Initiative launched in 2018 with a mission to close the state’s digital divide.
A big part of this, Joy Hollowell reports, is offering free training to people over 55.
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“People need to learn these skills to get critical services, and they have fewer and fewer alternatives,” said Hannah Silas, digital media librarian at Bangor Public Library.
That means more and more Mainers are trying to catch up when it comes to technology.
“But the big difference is that older users tend to be more interested in popular, mainstream technology,” says Jim Lenehan, technology editor at AARP The Magazine. “They're not always looking for the latest gadgets. They just want to know how to get better use out of the technology they have.”
The National Digital Equity Center’s Maine Digital Inclusion Initiative offers free digital skills classes to all Maine residents.
“We have a series on using technology to age well,” says Sue Corbett, founder and executive director of the Digital Equity Center.
Course content ranges from understanding how to use email and internet search engines to online budgeting and creating spreadsheets. Internet safety is a big focus for this age group.
“Sixty-two percent of our students are over 55,” Corbett said. “About 8 percent are over 80.”
Classes are small and range from one-hour courses to three one-hour classes, and are available online or at one of 250 partner sites across the state.
“It's really about getting people comfortable with technology,” Corbett says.
The Digital Centre offers free courses as well as 60 trained digital navigators who are available free of charge.
“These are people in the field,” Corbett explains, “who meet someone in the library, and maybe that person has brought in a new phone and wants help setting it up.”
This fall, the Bangor Public Library will partner with the Digital Equity Center to host several two- to three-week sessions, and the library is already offering hybrid technology workshops and one-on-one technology tutoring, all at no cost to students.
Digital Media Librarian Hannah Silas said Introduction to Computers and the Internet and Smartphone Basics are the most popular classes.
“The people who are looking for help with this are retired and older people,” Silas said. “They've tried asking friends and family for help, but not everyone has the patience. Just because you know how to use something doesn't make you a good teacher.”
Silas said the average age of the senior class is 60 to 70, but there are many students in their 80s and 90s who want to learn how to Facetime their families, participate in telehealth appointments and even fill out applications online.
“I had a one-on-one session with a client last week, and all we did in that hour-long session was practice answering the phone,” she says.
Technology workshops and one-on-one tech instruction provided by the Bangor Public Library are free and open to all Maine residents.
Apply through the website or call Hannah Cyrus directly at 922-6055.
You can sign up for a class or a one-on-one digital navigator through the National Digital Equity Center’s website. Just click the “I need help” button.
You can also refer someone to this free service through this link.
If you would prefer to call, please contact the center at 259-5010.
The courses offered are open to all adults, regardless of age.
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