PERSONAL TECHNOLOGY

Lifespan throws seniors a digital lifesaver

When Tony Lazzaro, Beth person gathering,” she said. “We belief that getting online is a huge to get some people really going, Micek and Jeanne Merritt join spent the next month trying to get barrier to get over, but we can they’re willing to tolerate all the their friends from Lifespan people connected online.” get them over that. I know how glitches to do it. We even have Atlanta on a morning Zoom [Full disclosure: I work with to talk to them about technology a group of 10 people who meet videoconference to share coffee Lifespan to meet their clients’ and how to adapt to their fears online to play Bingo on their and conversation, it’s their technology hardware needs. I got and capabilities. That’s something tablets.” opportunity to share what’s involved by finding the required their grandchildren or children But more than just visiting happening in their lives before hardware, mostly refurbished either can’t do or don’t have the and playing games, Lifespan’s they scatter in cyberspace for laptop computers. The patience to do.” clients are using technology the rest of the day’s activities. acquisitions were made possible Indeed, that was the problem to take a variety of courses or It’s all been made possible by by an extensive fund-raising effort Jeanne Merritt faced. Technology view presentations and movies Lifespan Resources Atlanta and to help those who couldn’t afford wasn’t foreign to her, but in the online. This winter’s classes have the dedication of its executive new or suitable technology.] 31 years since she retired as a included both Windows and Apple director, Peggy Palmiter. Getting suitable hardware for medical technologist for a lab, she technology taught by Palmiter, a

For seniors driven inside her clients was necessary to train was “stuck” with email. She got a 30-part presentation on the U.S. and mostly confined the seniors to get new computer, but three people National Parks, a course about the to a solitary existence them online. couldn’t help her get set up until BeltLine and instruction on Tai by the COVID-19 “Older people tend she worked with Palmiter to get Chi and line dancing. There’s also pandemic, morning to hang onto their her system issues solved and get a series on classic movies. Zoom gatherings and equipment longer on track with Zoom. While lifespan has offered a variety of online because it does the “After getting Zoom, I was able other services, the educational classes – including those job and they don’t to expand my contact with other program has always been its taught by Peggy on using want to change,” she people,” Merritt said. “I’m able core mission. Classes are open to technology – have been a said. “But connecting to visit with friends in England, any older adult over 55 without lifesaver. All three made to the internet for although we mostly use Skype a membership requirement. the characterization more than email instead of Zoom.” The cost for an eight-week class in unison during – or web browsing Tony Lazzaro calls Merritt his session is $50 for a single class, what else? – a Zoom Gene Rubel required a certain hero and inspiration for using $59 for any and all non-activity conference. Lifespan, a nonprofit, was established in the Digital Device Doctor, cures digital level of capability by a computer or a tablet. For those who could Zoom to stay in touch with others and to take Lifespan’s online courses. classes during the session, and $84 for any class, anytime during the eight weeks. Atlanta in 1981 as a anxiety for seniors and afford it, we found a “Being online prevents Classes used to be held every physical space for seniors home/home-office users. source of refurbished loneliness,” he said. “I’m by Thursday for eight weeks. Now to gather to talk and learn A graduate of Har- laptops that had been myself. I’ve had technology in my that we are virtual on Zoom, together. Headquartered vard Business School, used for business and life and could always do things classes are scheduled throughout in Buckhead, it later “Doctor Gene” spent we got tablets: iPads on a computer, but with Peggy the week. Visit lifespanatlanra.org joined forces with Agape, more than 30 years in for those who could and Lifespan, I can always ask for all the details. a non-profit whose international business. afford them and technical questions and overcome Tony and Jeanne both core mission is serving He can be reached at Samsung tablets for any problems with adapting.” applaud the online learning disadvantaged children generubel@gmail.com. others.” Beth Micek, who taught college classes, and Beth has used her in south Fulton with Once she got the math for eight years and then newly discovered online skills educational programs. hardware, Palmiter spent the rest of her career as a to participate with her family in

Lifespan began providing loaded the required application systems analyst for mainframe a product called StoryWorth, in technology education to their software and formatted the computers, has used Lifespan which people are asked to answer small senior program called devices for Zoom and Gmail to adapt to laptop computing. a weekly question and then build Ragtime. Whether in person or accounts. “Mainframes are a totally a book online during the year. online, Lifespan promotes lifelong “We found that was the best different world,” she said, “but She collaborates with her sister learning, something to which I’ve way to get them started,” she Peggy held my hand to learn how online, and this helps keep their always ascribed as a fellow senior noted. “We were able – and still to do what I needed, and we got memories sharp. At the end of the who wants to maintain my vigor. are able – to use Splashtop, an my sister into Zoom, too.” year, they can purchase a printed

When the pandemic hit a year application that enables us to Handholding is the key. With version of their books. ago, Lifespan’s client rolls dropped work their devices remotely and everyone’s stick-to-itiveness, “We haven’t stopped learning,” from a peak of 85 between show them how to get on a Zoom Palmiter is able to guide groups Tony said. Lifespan and Agape to about 40 conference. We can do it as many through their in-session “Their willingness to keep on (30 in online classes and 10 at times as they need it, and for difficulties during a Zoom trying helps their mental acuity,” Agape Zoom classes), but Palmiter some people, it’s like starting from session, regardless of whether Palmiter said. embraced a new online strategy scratch every Monday morning.” they’re using a computer, iPad or That’s why Lifespan’s fans say to fulfill Lifespan Resources’ With the right equipment Samsung tablet or an iPhone or Palmiter and Lifespan Resources mission to build communities that and tools, Palmiter can do what Android-based phone. have thrown them a digital welcome seniors as they age. To does best: teach each person “The need to connect has lifesaver. make the strategy a success, she technology individually at his or motivated seniors to get online,” drew on her 15 years of experience her own level. she said. “They’re desperate in teaching seniors how to use “Seniors have a resiliency to know technology to avoid technology. they didn’t know they had,” she isolation and depression. Even

“March 7, 2020, was our last in- said. “There is fear or a sense of though it can take up to six weeks