Frank Diaz 23 Helps Teach Older Adults Technology
Frank Diaz, 23, Helps Teach Older Adults Technology Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again. × Search search POPULAR SEARCHES SUGGESTED LINKS Join AARP for just $9 per year when you sign up for a 5-year term. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Leaving AARP.org Website You are now leaving AARP.org and going to a website that is not operated by AARP. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply.
I work as a technology concierge at the Watermark at Napa Valley in California. It’s a three-story retirement community with about 40 residents, ranging from their 70s to 90s. I mostly help residents with their everyday technology problems, like setting up their printers, sending emails and . Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. In my first few days, I went around the community and explained to them that they could come to me if they had a problem. They slowly started to warm up to me and asked some questions, like if I could print out a document or help with their iPhone. But the jobs become different as they learn more.
It’s also rewarding to see a resident take what I taught them and use it. I see them start to order their own things online, and they know where their passwords are saved. Before me, the residents didn’t know where to turn since some of the staff still struggle with technology and residents’ families often get frustrated explaining things. I think people around my age expect older learners to understand instantly, like it’s nothing. But they have to learn about the icons and the symbols we grew up with. To them, it’s almost a different language.
Tech Concierge Helps Older Adults Learn About Smartphones Computers
More retirement communities embrace the idea of an in-house expert like Frank Diaz 23
Frank Diaz, 23, guides a resident of the Watermark at Napa Valley in California on a virtual reality trip to Europe. Courtesy Annie Tritt The first time , the residents at the retirement community where I work all made fun of me when I put on the goggles. But then I put the and sent him to Rome. There is a screen, so everyone else can see what he sees as he explores the city streets. Then everyone was asking to go next.I work as a technology concierge at the Watermark at Napa Valley in California. It’s a three-story retirement community with about 40 residents, ranging from their 70s to 90s. I mostly help residents with their everyday technology problems, like setting up their printers, sending emails and . Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. In my first few days, I went around the community and explained to them that they could come to me if they had a problem. They slowly started to warm up to me and asked some questions, like if I could print out a document or help with their iPhone. But the jobs become different as they learn more.
Residents get a guide to digital life
One resident runs a children’s foundation nonprofit, and she was still in the mindset that she needs a pen and paper. I helped her with social media and email so that she could transition to the digital world. Another resident is an artist and author. I helped her , and did some research for her work. I also created video . They have had really interesting lives so far. Even the skeptical residents bring their friends by and ask me to show the slideshow on the TV above my desk. It’s really nice to see them opening up to technology and each other.It’s also rewarding to see a resident take what I taught them and use it. I see them start to order their own things online, and they know where their passwords are saved. Before me, the residents didn’t know where to turn since some of the staff still struggle with technology and residents’ families often get frustrated explaining things. I think people around my age expect older learners to understand instantly, like it’s nothing. But they have to learn about the icons and the symbols we grew up with. To them, it’s almost a different language.