Elder tech program now part of URI curriculum

LINDA THOMAS of the Slocum section of North Kingstown and Samantha Clark of Coventry, a senior studying psychology and gerontology at the University of Rhode Island, are seen taking a selfie at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute on the Kingston campus. Clark and Thomas were paired up for intergenerational technology tutoring through the URI Engaging Generations: Cyber-Seniors Program. / COURTESY SAMANTHA CLARK
LINDA THOMAS of the Slocum section of North Kingstown and Samantha Clark of Coventry, a senior studying psychology and gerontology at the University of Rhode Island, are seen taking a selfie at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute on the Kingston campus. Clark and Thomas were paired up for intergenerational technology tutoring through the URI Engaging Generations: Cyber-Seniors Program. / COURTESY SAMANTHA CLARK

SOUTH KINGSTOWN – For a senior citizen, jumping online or sending a text may be just short of impossible if they have had no experience with technology. Enter a Canadian inter-generational effort, which is helping to bridge the cyber gap, and was brought to the University of Rhode Island last year.

Skye Leedahl, assistant professor of human development and family studies; Erica Estus, clinical associate professor of pharmacy; and Melanie Brasher, assistant professor of sociology and anthropology, have now incorporated the URI Engaging Generations: Cyber-Seniors Program into their curricula.

The program pairs students and older adults who want to learn how to use computers, smartphones and tablets.

“The best part is seeing students improve their ability to communicate with older adults,” Estus said in a statement. “If you can talk to them about how to use their iPad, then you can counsel them on their cholesterol medication.”

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Pharmacy students get service-learning credits; human development and sociology students participate as part of their courses on aging.

Approximately 150 students and 273 older adults have participated, Leedahl said. The older adults have varying technological abilities. Some use email and Facebook, while others have not tried to turn on the devices they own. The program accommodates everyone, according to a news release from URI.

Leedahl is studying the program’s impact at five U.S. sites. Nearly 100 percent of older adults reported higher social engagement, and nearly nine out of 10 reported less isolation. The tutors, meanwhile, improved time management, communication and leadership skills.

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