Longwood Seniors Embrace New Technology, Start Teaching Classes

LONGWOOD, Fla. - July 16, 2013 - PRLog -- A group of committed technology users are teaching their friends all about new gadgets, but it’s not who many might think. The number of tech-savvy seniors at Village on the Green is quickly growing, thanks in part to the work of the retirement community’s e-communications committee. Residents started leading classes at the senior living community to teach others about different areas of technology, including digital photo editing, apps, online shopping and how to choose the right smartphone.

“People our age may think, ‘I’m too old to learn about or use new technology,’ but it’s not true,” says Stan Goldstein, a resident at Village on the Green. “Technology makes life more interesting and much more fun.”

The committee empowers residents with previous technology or computer experience to help others learn new skills and become passionate about technology. Every class is packed. Goldstein, the committee’s chair, and Herb Adler, the committee’s creator, see the group spreading awareness of the technology throughout the community.

Goldstein, a former defense contractor who worked in the Air Force for 28 years, chooses class topics based on a resident survey about interests. Goldstein is planning to hold upcoming classes about e-reading devices and Facebook privacy settings.

The first couple of classes this year focused on using iPads. Due to overwhelming interest from residents, an instructor from a local technology school was brought in to help teach the classes. The residents responded so positively that dozens of them purchased iPads after the first class. The e-committee also recently formed a separate iPad user group.

“Residents are really embracing technology and we’re happy to support it,” says Ansley Holt, executive director of Village on the Green. “The e-committee has generated a lot of buzz at our community about the uses and value of new technology.”

The resident-led committee, which originally formed almost three years ago, has made significant progress in educating fellow residents with the new classes on technology, and also by helping update the community’s communications systems.

“Things have come a long way,” says Adler, who first started working with computers in 1964. “It’s pretty impressive to see some of the things seniors are doing here and the acceptance of new technology.”

While the e-committee continues educating other residents on the benefits of technology, Adler and Goldstein have their sights set on helping further enhance the community’s technology use and the additional lifestyle benefits it offers.

“Residents have some great ideas about using technology in the community, and have done a tremendous job educating others about what they can gain from it,” Holt says. “It’s really special and exciting to see.”

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About Village on the Green
Village on the Green, located at 500 Village Place in Longwood, Florida, is a Life Care community that provides seniors a unique lifestyle experience and a variety of residential options, including maintenance-free independent living apartment homes and villas, as well as on-site skilled nursing care and rehabilitation. Residents enjoy a full range of services and amenities, such as a library, hair salon, fitness center, art studio, and Lifespace Communities’ comprehensive FitSix® wellness program. Lifespace Communities is the sponsor of 12 continuing care retirement communities in seven states. The organization is recognized by the LeadingAge Ziegler Top 100 as the seventh largest not-for-profit senior living provider system in the country. More information about Village on the Green is available by calling (407) 788-2300 or by visiting www.villageonthegreenrc.com.