Ensuring active involvement of senior citizens in community activities is crucial in North Rhine-Westphalia
In an effort to ensure that seniors are not left behind in the ongoing digitization process, SPD state parliamentarian Sonja Bongers has proposed the establishment of local service points for seniors without online access. These centers will provide devices with internet access for seniors to use independently.
The local service points are an additional initiative to the digital learning and experience centers proposed earlier. These centers are intended to help seniors avoid being excluded from social life and manage their daily lives effectively.
Many studies show that seniors are at risk of being left behind by digitization. Those who cannot navigate digital networks confidently and intuitively are increasingly excluded from social life and have difficulty managing their daily lives. The local service points are designed to address this issue, helping seniors who cannot use online services independently.
The local service points are part of Bongers' initiative to ensure digital participation of older people. They are intended to complement the qualification opportunities offered by the digital learning and experience centers. These centers aim to promote the digital participation of older people and provide qualification opportunities for seniors to use digital technology confidently.
Bongers suggests municipalities should receive startup aid of at least three years for the establishment and qualification of digital learning and experience centers for seniors. Sustainable offers can only be planned and created with such support from the state.
The support measures for establishing and qualifying digital learning and experience centers for the digital participation of older people include financial grants, technology provision, staffing support, and tailored programming focused on digital literacy and inclusion.
Grants and Financial Support: Some programs provide direct funding, such as the $50,000 grants given to Connected Learning Centers (CLCs) by firms like AT&T, which also supply high-speed fiber internet, computers, and volunteer staffing to ensure these centers are well-equipped and sustainable.
Technology and Resources: Initiatives often include providing modern devices (e.g., Dell computers), reliable internet access, and digital literacy materials, crucial for the effective operation of such centers.
Tailored Programs and Training: Many centers offer programs specifically designed for older adults that include digital skills training, mentoring, and confidence-building exercises, to help seniors engage meaningfully with digital technology. Family Learning Centers, for example, provide multilingual programs and one-on-one tech mentoring for seniors and other underserved groups.
Professional Learning and Qualification: Broader educational grants, while sometimes focused on other populations, include professional learning components that could be adapted for training staff or volunteers who deliver digital literacy support to older people.
Community and Volunteer Involvement: Successful centers often leverage community partnerships and volunteer support to provide personalized assistance, fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment.
While specific schemes dedicated exclusively to older adults may vary by location, the combination of financial grants, equipment provision, specialized programs, and community engagement represent key support measures for establishing and qualifying digital learning centers aimed at increasing digital participation among older populations.
The locations for these initiatives are not specified yet. However, Bongers emphasizes the importance of offering opportunities for digital use and qualification for seniors. The local service points and digital learning and experience centers are expected to contribute to preventing seniors from being left behind in the digitization process.
- The local service points, catering to seniors without online access, are a step towards health-and-wellness and lifestyle improvement by bridging the gap in digital participation, as proposed by SPD state parliamentarian Sonja Bongers.
- In the realm of education-and-self-development, these digital learning and experience centers aim to equip seniors with digital skills, fostering their confidence and independence in navigating technology, thereby enhancing their science and technology literacy.
- To mitigate the risk of casino-and-gambling exploitation, it's crucial that seniors are empowered with digital literacy, enabling them to avoid potentially harmful online activities, ensuring their overall safety and well-being in the modern world.
