Technology for the Ages Part 3 of 3

Technology for the Ages

Karilea Rilling Jungel

We know our children and their children are surrounded by technology, day in, day out. But so are we. We don’t always realize it when we handle our cell or smart phones, iPods or iPad, Kindle, Nook, the monitors that hook us up wirelessly to heart monitors that are read by physician miles away. We don’t recognize that we are engaged in technology and turn on the television – even if we have several remotes for the various instruments all attached to the TV. We almost take it for granted. But this very communications system streams out far and ahead of us, touching all aspects of life, from the moment you wake until you again close your eyes. And even then, your house is surrounded with waves of wireless magic.

Click Here to Read Part 1
 
Click Hear to Read Part 2

From Seniors – to Babes

Leslie Eikleberry, Executive Director for Saline County Commission on Aging and volunteer Maurice Kerr have the Salina community in their heart when it comes to technology…and so many other things. But it is helping seniors that is their gift to the community.

Leslie Eikleberry, Executive Director

SCC on Aging

Photo by KRJ

Leslie shares that “We have a computer lab on the third floor and our super-volunteer, Maurice Kerr, if he sees a need to offer a class, he will. But normally things are one-on-one. People want to learn Facebook so they can get grand-kid photos. If they don’t know how to set up an email account, he will help them with that. If someone wants to learn how to set up the Word program, he’ll help with that as well. More and more people are learning how to use a computer – so there’s no great need for a huge class, so this is more for the bells and whistles that they want to learn and utilize. We help them open the doors.”

When asked what is done here that is not done at the library, Leslie replies “this is a place for fun things and painting classes, sewing classes, writing classes on Thursdays, exercise classes on the third floor. Cards games and Bingo on the first floor, pool tables on the second floor, all these things to do. So while they are here, they can also go up and utilize the computer lab. There are also a couple of computers down on the first floor. It’s just to help people be connected. Our seniors talk to others, someone says ‘you should see this on E-bay’ and we help them with that.”

But Maurice is the ‘guru’ – “he is so valuable to us.” Leslie explains, “another thing that ties in that in the fall, when it’s time for people to sign up for their Medicare drug plans, when they can make changes with their plans for the next year, SHICK counselors – Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas help seniors through that.”  This program is overseen by Deb Wood from the Saline County Extension office. “The seniors pick out what they want, but the counselors walk them through the steps to compare plans and see what is best for them. This is all done in the computer lab. They are dealing with the government, which can be daunting, so the SHICK counselors come in a couple of times a week for four to six weeks; we serve more than 600 people every year.” Technology is more a resource management supplement to the Center’s programs. “We help them fill out forms on line with the government.” “We show them how to apply for the LEAP program, also finding the proper forms for them.”

Photo by KRJ

Maurice Kerr explains that his background was as “a professional electrical engineer. I received computer technology as background training. My jobs all started transitioning to technology, so I had the responsibility of teaching everyone how to use it efficiently back in the late 1980’s.” Later his employment with Philips ended, and Maurice decided to start his own computer consultant business. “When I’m not here, I work on that business. I make house visits.” 

Maurice Kerr, 10 year Volunteer at

Salina Senior Center

Photo by KRJ

It was in the mid 1990’s when Maurice began volunteering two, sometimes three hours a day to the Salina Senior Center. In the beginning he gave lectures and taught classes after Dr. Flanders originated the lab and had obtained equipment from donations. “We have a maximum of about 16 people a day coming in for assistance; we are set up for 10 people at once. I touch on Kindles, printers, sometimes a few things on Smart Phones. I work with Apple, Microsoft and Androids.” Maurice also learns new advancements at home in his spare time. “I learn as much as the others do.”

Vivienn

Daughter of Kerra and Timur

Granddaughter of Deb and Eric Kohn

Born July 26, 2013

Photo by Deb Kohn

But it was a little story from my friend, Deb Kohn, which really brought the new world home to me. Deb’s granddaughter, Vivienn, who was born in July 2013 to parents Kerra and Timur, demonstrated to her grandmother that by herself, she has the ability to abscond with grandmother’s smart phone, scroll through until she finds her own children’s game icon, then “taps” on it as she settles in, playing her game on her own. No muss, no fuss. And no one taught her; she learned it all by observation.

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