Kids Care to Help team teaches seniors to tap into technology

When Bob Barnes received a new i-Pad as a gift from his family, he didn’t quite know how to use it. A talented artist, he wanted to share messages and pictures with others but lacked the technical understanding to make it happen.

Imagine his delight when Ethan Pollack, a senior at Naperville Central High School, introduced a weekly class this year at the King-Bruwaert retirement community in Burr

Ridge. Calling his program, “Kids Care to Help,” Pollack made an effort to assemble an enthusiastic group of young people who were willing to help senior adults learn to use their smart phones, iPads and computers.

As the program’s director, he founded Kids Care to Help as a mission to connect youths with seniors. His inspiration came from the positive experience he had while helping his grandfather learn how to use a computer. Over a period of time, he taught his grandfather to navigate the Internet to do everything he once did with newspapers, books and library visits.

Pollack’s goal for the free program has been to provide seniors with a basic understanding of technology to better communicate with family and friends – and use the internet to pursue interests and information. With so much reliance on websites, emails, upgraded phones and text messages today, it’s hard for seniors to adapt if they’ve never had exposure to computers or technical devices. Many have received technical gifts for holidays or birthdays that were virtually unused due to the lack of instruction. One resident came to a class with a brand new Apple computer that had never been opened.

Another needed coaching with a state-of-the art i-watch.

Ethan’s sister, Lauren Pollack, a Naperville Central freshman, has been volunteering with the group for several months. She recalls a resident who had no typing skills and never used a keyboard.

“We thought it might be good for that person to use a stylus,” she said. “It was just easier to work with an instrument to type letters and numbers.”

Pollack recognizes the unique qualities his team brings to the instruction tables. First, the youthful teachers have learned to be highly adaptive, responding well to individual training requests and questions. Generally, team members are willing to talk slower and sometimes, louder, when giving instructions. They don’t mind repeating information or enlarging a screen for those who may be visually impaired.

Perhaps most important, the young partners have realized that patience is, in fact, a virtue, when assisting older adults, especially when reinforcing directions a multitude of times. Memories aren’t what they used to be – and command repetitions come with every assignment.

“I would have to say it’s helpful for the kids to be so patient when they’re leading activities,” Lauren Pollack said. “Even the residents have said that they really appreciate this.”

Barnes enjoys the one-on-one attention he receives in the classes.

“They really know their stuff,” he said. “They’re willing to start us out at the true beginning. For many of us, that’s really important.”

For the seniors who tend to be quick learners, they’ve been able to advance to higher level pursuits. Some are learning to create and use Facebook pages and engage in Face Time activities that will allow them to see their adult children and grandchildren on the small screens. Technology does have its merits for those willing to learn and try new things.

After attending four classes, Barnes points to a steady progression with his skills and he now looks forward to playing games such as checkers or cards on his i-Pad. Armed with new apps, he’ll be able to switch into game mode with the touch of a finger.

So what comes next for the enterprising leaders and their senior audience?

“With the start of school, I am hopeful that we will recruit many more student volunteers,” Pollack said.

Group photo #1: Volunteers with the Kids Care to Help program are (left to right) Allison Mosteller, Jordan Pollack, Ethan Pollack, Lauren Pollack and Angela Civantos. Not pictured are Sarah Ko, Joseph Civantos, Malorie Huffman, Ananya Mishra and Morgan McCracken.