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
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.”
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.”
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.
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Leslie Eikleberry, Executive Director
SCC on Aging
Photo by KRJ
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Photo by KRJ
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Maurice Kerr, 10 year Volunteer at
Salina Senior Center
Photo by KRJ
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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.”
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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Vivienn
Daughter of Kerra and Timur
Granddaughter of Deb and Eric Kohn
Born July 26, 2013
Photo by Deb Kohn
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