I’ve seen posters around town for technology and computer help for seniors. Can you tell me more?
Yes! This year, the Seniors Planning Table (SPT) – a seniors advocacy group led by the Resource Centre, and made up of individuals, organizations and local government on the Coast – started a technology group, made up of the Sechelt Public Library, Gibsons & District Public Library, Elder College and us, the Sunshine Coast Resource Centre.
This technology group came up with the poster you are talking about, and started putting them around town, including at local vaccination clinics.
The goal of the poster is to promote resources available locally so that seniors may gain confidence on their digital devices. Resources include options for one-on-one mentoring, online training and peer support around technology.
This help is aimed at skills like accessing the internet, using email and video calling. If you have a technology question like how to figure out your phone settings, or something that doesn’t fall into any particular category, we’d be happy to do our best, or find someone to help you trouble-shoot as well!
While we can’t help with software or hardware issues, if you share your concern, we can do our best to refer you to services that can help you with that.
For more information about connecting with free tech help, call the Resource Centre at 604-885-4088. Depending on your needs, we may refer you onto one of the libraries, or other local services.
***If you know someone with a modest income who would benefit from a digital device, but cannot afford one, please get in touch. We can help you access a program that provides seniors with low-cost mobile services. We also occasionally come across grants for things like free phones/free tablets, and can look into this on a case-by-case basis. ***
We all deserve to use and understand the technology that is out there.
Angie Theilmann is an information and referral specialist at the Sunshine Coast Resource Centre, your community information hub. Do you have a question? Just Ask Angie! Email: angie@resourcecentre.ca
