Faculty Mentor
Orly Calderon
Major/Area of Research
MSW
Description
Since there has been an upsurge in computer and internet use, people have become more dependent on technology as a primary way of communication and staying connected with their communities (Saunders, 2007). Regrettably the aging population has not been able to keep up with this change (Saunders, 2007). Along with declining health and cognitive function, social isolation is an enormous challenge in the aging process (Shapira, Barak, & Gal, 2007). Social isolation or withdrawal can lead to a feeling of “powerlessness”, which in turn is associated with an overall lack of well-being among the aging population (Shapira, Barak, & Gal, 2007). This poster will describe an intergenerational tutoring computer program implemented at the Central YM & YWHA, which is geared towards increasing computer literacy skills among the elderly. The participants of the program include the seniors from the community center and student volunteers from the local high school, who teach the elderly basic computer skills, such as understanding terminologies, opening an email account, and exploring various social news media websites. In turn, the student will receive community service credits. Additionally, the program is geared toward promoting a meaningful intergenerational connection between the high school student volunteers and the elderly population at the community center. Preliminary anecdotal data of the efficacy of the program will be presented along with a proposal for a systematic study that will test the following hypothesis: the more frequently the elderly participate in a computer tutoring program, the more frequently they will use computers to connect with their community.
Included in
An Intergenerational Community Computer Tutoring Program: Keeping Seniors Connected
Since there has been an upsurge in computer and internet use, people have become more dependent on technology as a primary way of communication and staying connected with their communities (Saunders, 2007). Regrettably the aging population has not been able to keep up with this change (Saunders, 2007). Along with declining health and cognitive function, social isolation is an enormous challenge in the aging process (Shapira, Barak, & Gal, 2007). Social isolation or withdrawal can lead to a feeling of “powerlessness”, which in turn is associated with an overall lack of well-being among the aging population (Shapira, Barak, & Gal, 2007). This poster will describe an intergenerational tutoring computer program implemented at the Central YM & YWHA, which is geared towards increasing computer literacy skills among the elderly. The participants of the program include the seniors from the community center and student volunteers from the local high school, who teach the elderly basic computer skills, such as understanding terminologies, opening an email account, and exploring various social news media websites. In turn, the student will receive community service credits. Additionally, the program is geared toward promoting a meaningful intergenerational connection between the high school student volunteers and the elderly population at the community center. Preliminary anecdotal data of the efficacy of the program will be presented along with a proposal for a systematic study that will test the following hypothesis: the more frequently the elderly participate in a computer tutoring program, the more frequently they will use computers to connect with their community.