Basic Computer and Internet Program for Seniors

About the Program

Category: Libraries (Best in Category)

Year: 2018

The American population is aging rapidly. Since 2011, the baby-boom generation began to turn 65. By 2030 it is expected that one out of every five Americans or 70 million people in the United States will be age 65 or older (US Census Bureau 2000). As the proportion of older adults’ increases in society, it is of increasing economic and social importance for libraries to develop training programs that teach older adults to access and use the internet to find information. It is even more pressing as it related to health and medical information. Beginning in February 2017, The Miami-Dade Public Library System (MDPLS) partnered with Preferred Care Partners, a WellMed Medical Management Inc. to provide adult lifelong learning programs for senior citizens. Preferred Care Partners Senior Center provides a variety of health, social, recreational activities to their members. Library staff (Librarians) met with Preferred Care Partners staff to develop an innovative experimental basic computer and Internet program for older adults with little to no Computer/ technology knowledge. The objective of the program are to: • Create Life-long learning habits. • To enrich the lives of older adults through the use of technology. • To improve the quality of life of older adults on both the social and health front.