02-19-2025 PTL - Flipbook - Page 12
12 A Special Advertising Section of Baltimore Sun Media Group | Wednesday, February 19, 2025
TECHNOLOGY
Learning
technology
for seniors
By Margit B. Weisgal, Contributing Writer
T
o benefit from aging in place, a grasp of technology is almost required. Even for
Luddites, you need a basic knowledge of technology to use a smartphone. For
instance, if you have to stop driving, ordering and paying for Lyft or Uber rides
requires the mobile application (mobile app). But you can also call a cab. It’s a question
of what will make aging in place easiest.
What follows are places that offer
very basic to slightly more sophisticated
instruction on technology, such as email,
what your phone can do, or how to use
FaceTime. You can move up to more
advanced classes as you become more
proficient. However, basics are a good
place to start.
Another reason to learn new skills is
the health benefit. “Engaging in continuing education programs for older adults
has been linked to better cognitive health.
According to a study by the National
Institute of Aging, educational activities
can help maintain and even improve cognitive functions in seniors. Learning new
skills can also be a fun and effective way
to combat cognitive decline.” (celebrateseniorliving.org)
Tech Education
• Enoch Pratt Free Library (www.
prattlibrary.org/services/computertraining) offers lots of classes in technology and much more. You’ll find
a link for a printable list of classes
there. Call 443-984-4944 or email
computer.class@prattlibrary.org.
• Digital Navigators, people who
will work with you one-on-one
are now available through Pratt.
There’s a portal to schedule an
appointment on the website or
copy and paste this link: www.
prattlibrary.org/services/computertraining/digital-navigators
• Pratt Anywhere at Open Works,
a technology lab inside Open
Works Makerspace at 1400
Greenmount Avenue, was recently
added. It also offers digital navigators along with other services. This
link will take you to its calendar of
events: https://calendar.prattlibrary.
org/event/enoch-pratt-digitalnavigators-introduction-to-googleapps
• Wor-Wic Community College
(www.worwic.edu/programs-courses/
non-credit-courses/seniors-only/)
Want to keep up with the grandkids?
It offers courses for seniors that
can help you learn today’s technology. It can be intimidating to take a
course with younger students who
are technology-oriented, so Wor-Wic
offers several seniors-only technology courses where you can learn
with other seniors at a slower pace
and with a little more help.
Wor-Wic Community College
straddles Wicomico and Worcester
Counties, but anyone from the state
can take online classes there. Tuition
is waived for Maryland residents
who are 60 years old or older on a
space-available basis. Prior to the
first credit class session, you must
submit a Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver
Form and provide proof that your
60th birthday has occurred. Noncredit students do not need to submit
a tuition waiver form but must turn
60 years old prior to registering for
classes. You are responsible for fees
and the cost of books/supplies.
• All University System of Maryland
schools allow those over 60 to take
classes for free. Check with the
school in which you’re interested:
List of schools: www.usmd.edu/
institutions
• The Golden ID Program: www.
usmd.edu/usm/academicaffairs/
golden-id/GoldenID_About.pdf
• Looking to brush up your digital
skills? Get up to speed fast with
free tech training videos designed
for older adults from Digital Skills
Ready@50+. www.aarp.org/aarpfoundation/digital-skills.html
• Dorot: https://dorotusa.org/techmade-easy-seniors-new-instruction-
