By Rick Banas of BMA Management, Ltd.
No pep rallies, slick sales pitches or hard sell sales techniques were needed. The residents of one of the affordable assisted living communities that we manage in Chicago were eagerly awaiting the opportunity to learn how to use a computer and get on-line well before last Friday’s Launch Party.
More than half of the residents of Churchview Supportive Living had already signed up for classes before the Launch Party had started.
Located in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood on Chicago’s southwest side, Churchview is one of only 26 sites in the entire United States to have been selected for a special pilot demonstration project to bring computer training and Internet access to low income seniors.
Through a grant from the Department of Commerce, residents of Churchview will have access for the next 18 months to a senior-friendly computer program offered by Connected Living of Quincy, Massachusetts.
The focus of Connected Living is on helping low income seniors and people with disabilities get on-line using a fun, simple and secure interface portal combined with touch-screen technology and personalized training and support.
At the Launch Party, representatives of Connected Living talked about what the residents of Churchview can expect.
Residents will be able to take a training class designed to teach them the basics of using a computer and accessing the Internet.
Residents who pass a basic computer proficiency test will receive a Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) grant-provided computer and free Internet service in their apartment.
Residents also will be able to access the computers in the Computer Lab that has been set up on the fifth floor of the community.
Intermediate and advanced training classes will be available.
Through the program, residents will be able to share photos and stories with their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren; access music and entertainment; participate in live video chats; and do comparison shopping and get coupons on-line.
In addition, they also will be able to keep in touch with family and friends through electronic mail and search the Internet.
To provide training and personalized support, Connected Living has assigned a full-time staff person to work at Churchview. Chicago resident Thalia Barrow was introduced as the on-site Community Program Manager.
Additional support is available for residents seven days a week through a toll-free telephone number.
Connected Living is changing the way residents of senior living communities such as Churchview are viewing technology, says Sarah Hoit, the company’s CEO and Co-Founder. “It empowers them to become proficient with computers, stay in touch with families, and ultimately broaden their horizons. They start to realize how much potential they have when they are on-line.”
The Connected Living program provides residents with everything they need to get and stay connected.
Commenting on behalf of the residents of Churchview at the Launch Party, resident David Atwood said that “when I heard about it, I was glad it was coming in.” Resident Blanche Birdsong added that while her grandchildren are using the computer, “I never thought that I would have a chance.”
Their reaction shouldn’t be a surprise if a recent article by Troy Wolverton on “Seniors Getting Plugged Into Technology” published earlier this month in the San Jose Mercury News is any indication.
The article cites research by the Pew Internet Project that shows computer use among those 65 and older in the United States doubling in the ten-year period of 2000 to 2010 and Internet usage more than tripling.
Once seniors get involved in using a computer, noted Aaron Smith, Senior Research Analyst with Pew Internet, “they are as active or more active than other users.”
To read the News Story on the event click here.
In the video below, Sarah Hoit {CEO & Co-Founder of My Way Village} gives us an explanation of what “Connected Living” is all about.
All affordable assisted living communities managed by BMA Management, Ltd. are certified and surveyed by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. All assisted living communities are licensed and surveyed by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
“BMA Management, Ltd. is the leading provider of assisted living in Illinois
and one of the 20 largest providers of assisted living in the United States.”
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