I would like to learn a lot more about how to help older adults and seniors to make the best use of their computers and digital technology. In addition to providing occasional technical support to some older friends and family members, I have helped seniors with using their computers, tablets, and phones for phone banking and text banking. I really like hanging out and working with seniors. (I've been a volunteer with Tele-Care, a program in which we make calls to those who "live alone, are homebound, disabled, or convalescing from an illness, especially if you are retired, widowed, or a senior citizen,")

I'm starting to research the challenges faced in particular by seniors and the marketplace of solutions and solution providers in the East Bay and beyond. I'd like to systematize my knowledge of computing practices for older adults. I'm also keen on making sure that computers stay a central part of my own life as I age. Here's a bit of what I've learned so far.

Looking for an accessible introduction to the topic of elder computing, I turned to Spark with Nora Young on CBC Radio, specifically the segment on Elder tech (audio on YouTube). Some of the issues identified on the episode were:

• many seniors have much greater concern for online privacy than younger generations
• touch and voice interfaces might be particularly helpful to seniors.
• ETAG Online | Enhancing the lives of adults 55+ through technology education and support is a Toronto based non-profit to contact and to study
• The IATSL - Intelligent Assistive Technology and Systems Lab at the University of Toronto is involved in research to support "aging in place"

Now that I'm a member of the AARP myself, I wondered about technology resources available by the organization:

• Intro to iPad — AARP Academy
• Public Wifi Safety — AARP Academy
• [AARP TEK Workshops: San Francisco, CA](http://aarp.cvent.com/events/aarp-tek-workshops-san-francisco-ca/event-summary-b85f309655fd40bbb2cbc6a7f5b59aa0.aspx#San Francisco Public Library Golden Gate Valley Branch): in person workshops for learning about such topics like the iPad.
• Online Safety Workshop (on-demand) vidoe

What books are geared towards seniors and computing. A quick search of Safari books turned up such books as:

• My Social Media for Seniors, 2nd Edition
• My Smart Home for Seniors
• My Digital Travel for Seniors
• Facebook for Seniors
• My iPad® for Seniors, Fourth Edition

I've started looking at potential volunteer gigs to work with seniors in the East Bay:

• Technology/Electronics Volunteer - Ashby Village
• I can fill out the City of Albany Volunteer Corps application to work at the Albany Senior Center, there is:
  

  Computer Lab & Tutoring 3 computers are available at the Senior Center for self-serve 30 minute sessions. Free tutoring appointments available Mondays and Fridays. Call (510) 524-9122.

• I can volunteer to run a computer lab at the Berkeley Senior Center: Volunteer and Make a Difference! - City of Berkeley, CA.

• There are Computer Classes & Cyber Cafe at at the El Cerrito Senior Center