As technology changes day by day, many senior citizens struggle with touch screens, tablets and other gadgets. To bridge the widening tech gap between generations, students of the Zayed University welcomed several elders to their campus, helped them understand technology better, and walked them through popular social media applications.
The workshop for the elders from a senior citizen home was part of Whirlpool Corporation's newly launched #AgelessTechnology campaign, in association with the Zayed University and the Dubai Health Authority's Seniors' Happiness Centre.
About 15 students took charge of a group of nine senior citizens and taught them how to use a tablet and create social media accounts. Some of the seniors connected with their close friends via Facebook and Instagram, as the students demonstrated how technology generally makes life easier.
Third-year student Alia said: "This was the first time I taught some elderly how to use tablets and touch-screen gadgets. Although I had to repeat it a number of times, I felt so happy seeing them pick up."
Senior citizen Sayeeda said she loved coming to the university and learning new applications from the students. "I love watching cookery shows and Quran recitations but I am not very good with gadgets and not many people have the time and patience to sit with us and teach us. I am touched to see these students take a break from their classes and give us their time. They taught me easy ways to explore the Internet. And I also learned how to upload my pictures and videos so that I can connect with my friends and family."
Speaking at the event, Mohamad El Yassir, regional managing director for MEA, Whirlpool Corporation, said: "We have launched this initiative to move towards an era of #AgelessTechnology where we are able to bridge the technology gap between older and younger generations, and bring them closer together. In the Year of Zayed, we would like to dedicate this programme to his spirit of an inclusive and compassionate society. We are delighted to have the support of the Zayed University and Seniors' Happiness Centre as we grow this initiative."
As part of the workshops, all the senior citizens were gifted tablets by Whirlpool so that they can remain up to date with technology and stay connected with their friends and families.
Dr Salwa Alsuwaidi, geriatrician and director at the Seniors' Happiness Centre, said: "We aim at promoting active ageing by working on three main pillars: minimise the risk of disease and disability, maintain physical and cognitive function, and continue engagement with life."
"We had actually started teaching a few seniors how to use some mobile applications like WhatsApp, and this had enabled them to communicate with us in a better way and call us in case of emergency, as technology can be a life-saver."
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