A ‘helping hand’ in technology

Helping Hand’s Megan Corlis believes the “more you use it, the more you become familiar with it”, referring to the new technology of iPads.

The Adelaide-based aged care provider and Telstra have teamed together to give seniors the opportunity to surf the internet using the iPad, as they ‘lend a hand’ in helping them to stay in touch with friends and family.

Ms Corlis tells DPS News the “whole world opens up” when technology is used and believes there is a “new world” around iPad’s and touch phones.

“It’s really good for seniors because all it requires is the tap of the screen for them to go shopping using the Woolworths app, and then it frees them up to do something else. The whole world is opening up to people,” she says.

“Often older people are curious about the internet but do not feel comfortable experimenting, so these workshops provided a fun and safe environment, giving people the freedom to explore what the internet has to offer.”

The workshops, which finished recently, involved about 150 people – including clients and residents, and gave older people the opportunity to forget all of the difficult components that come with a normal PC; including the keyboard and mouse clicks.

“That can become quite confusing, but the iPad is making it so much easier for people just to tap the screen, and it then reduces the fear factor that comes with technology.”

According to Ms Corlis, Helping Hand will meet this week to discuss offering more workshops to seniors, while reviewing how they can “individualise” the classes to make training more “one-on-one” and person-centred as research shows this is what people want.

For more information, call Helping Hand on 1300 653 600.