Technical Stuff Can Make Life Easier for Seniors By Marcia Fletcher With age, little things that were once woven into the humdrum fabric of daily life can turn into chores that require time and effort. It’s harder to hear the TV and to read the fine print on medicine bottles. Old knees don’t like stairs and driving at night is downright scary. Coping with everyday challenges takes effort and energy. No one has devised a way to halt or reverse the effect of passing years, but today’s seniors have an advantage that was unknown to their parents — technology. Seniors now have access to a new world of digital devices to help overcome some of the physical and cognitive issues that nag them in their golden years. Leisure World Residents will have an opportunity this month to learn more about technology that can relieve some of the issues that come with getting older. On Wednesday, September 13 at 1:30 P.M., Leisure World Tech will offer via Zoom “10 Tips for Staying Connected, Engaged and Empowered,” presented by Joan Green, an assistive technology specialist and an ElderTech Advisor. The program will help seniors “discover the possibilities of technology and its benefits,” through an interactive session, said Green, whose expertise includes helping individuals, families and senior care providers learn about devices, features and other resources that improve quality of life for seniors. As the founder of the ElderTech Advisor Network and Innovative Speech Therapy, Green works to harness the potential of technology to help seniors stay connected and active. In her presentation, she will discuss 10 Tech Tips that seniors can incorporate into their daily routines to promote well being, introduce new skills and encourage activity and interaction with the world around them. And, she will share her knowledge about affordable devices, strategies and resources tailored to the unique needs of seniors. The presentation will include practical advice about easy-to-use video call gadgets, productivity tools and digital assistants such as Alexa and Siri. Green will also provide information to help residents buy and use technology that can make ordinary activities as well as awesome occasions more doable and more fun. The presentation will be offered on a large screen television in the Technology Resource Center as well as via Zoom. Seating is limited in the Center. Send an email to leisureworld.tech@gmail.com to register for the program. Coming Up Look for more Saturday at the Center mini clinics in September. Dates and times will be announced in the management emails as well as Leisure World News. Volunteers Still Needed Leisure World Tech is grateful to the volunteers who have responded to our earlier requests for monitors to work in the Technology Resource Center. Thanks to several new volunteers, we are able to staff the center during some periods every day. However, we still need a few more folks to give Leisure World residents access to our resources for six hours every day. The center is scheduled to be open seven days a week during these time periods: 11 A.M.-1:00 P.M.; 2:00-4:00 P.M; and 5:00-7:00 P.M. You don’t have to be a computer expert, and training is available. You’ll make new friends and learn a little (maybe a lot) in the process. Occasionally, the monitors have a party. What’s not to like? If you can help out, call 301-598-1306 or send an email to Janet Zimmer at jmzincr@gmail.com.