Austin, Texas--On November 12th, 2008, from 11AM-1PM, AT&T, Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and the SeniorNet computer literacy program of AGE have teamed up to host one-on-one cell phone training. Seniors will have the opportunity to have an individual appointment with a cellular phone technical expert who will guide seniors through the settings and features of any cell phone, regardless of brand or service carrier. AT&T is making technical phone experts available to provide this valuable service to senior individuals in our community. Due to the overwhelming interest in the original October 8th date, the event has been moved to November 12 to accommodate.
Dozens of seniors will converge on the Historic AGE building for this special event. AT&T technical experts will have free 20-minute, one-on-one sessions with seniors to cover anything from cover basic to advanced cell phone uses and settings. The goal of this joint effort is simple: to teach seniors how to better use communication technology. With well over 36.3 million adults aged 65 and up in the United States- according to the 2004 US Census- the number of seniors employing technology will only grow. However, as cell phones and other everyday technologies add features, there is a gap that leaves many older adults behind.
“Many senior adults have mobile phones given to them by their children,” explains Joyce Lauck, Executive Director of AGE, the umbrella organization of SeniorNet. She continues “often, seniors are concerned that they haven’t mastered the device or don’t understand all of its features. Learning how to program speed-dial numbers and text message friends and family could be a tremendous help.”
Austin Groups for the Elderly is a 501c3 non-profit organization that has been serving Austin’s elderly, their families, and caregivers since 1986. In addition to SeniorNet, our other programs include Elderhaven Adult Day Centers, and the Caregivers Resource Center.