SAN ANTONIO – Older adults around San Antonio are learning how to use technology for daily tasks at free classes around the city.
Classes offered at senior centers, libraries and other public areas are free for older adults. Topics vary and cover cybersecurity, how to download apps and how to research and verify information.
Darryl Greer, the programs coordinator for AARP’s Older Adults Technology Services, says their mission is to help adults learn how to use technology.
“We have to make sure that older adults, too, are made aware of and are trained on how to use us, whether it’s to help their health outcomes, their financial security or just connect to loved ones. I mean, it’s extremely important,” Greer said.
Remedios Holder has taken a few technology classes at the Doris Griffin Senior One Stop Center. She said she’s learned to be careful protecting her passwords and other vital information.
“I believe in learning one day at a time, no matter how old you are,” she said.
The classes can also be for fun, too — Holder said the lessons have helped her navigate her electronics for entertainment.
“I play a lot of games,” she said. “I learned the basics in using my iPad and, of course, how to use my cellphone.”
Suzanne Garcia said she needs an app to do her grocery shopping, so she takes the classes to stay up to date.
But after being hacked in the past, she said she is extra careful with her technology.
“I can do MyChart, I don’t do any banking, no CPS, anything like that, because I did get hacked once and it took forever to get unhacked,” Garcia said. “But I learned how to get on to Facebook, how to use Instagram.”
AARP offers live online technology classes for seniors at seniorplanet.org. The website also has a schedule for in-person classes.
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