Digital Equity Means Cost Savings, Independence and Opportunity For Older Adults

Palos Heights - As the twentieth century began, less than one in eight U.S. homes were powered by electricity. That number grew slowly until President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s visionary Rural Electrification Act of 1936. As a result, by 1945, 85% of homes were electrified and nearly every home in the U.S. was wired by 1960. Electricity had fully transitioned from a luxury item to a necessity, vital to health and welfare.

Today, the same is true of internet access. Achieving digital equity across all geographic areas, socioeconomic status and ages is now just as important.

Gary Kremnitzer lived without a computer for many years. “I’m not big into technology,” he said. “In my work of installing carpet, we didn’t have any kind of technology. It was all labor with your hands. So I didn’t have much experience with technology.”

When Kremnitzer retired, he bought a computer. “I bought it because in today’s society, you need one – for banking, for health portals, for buying stuff online. I didn’t want to be left behind.”

Teresa Kinka agrees. The former Communications Consultant worked and retired from the University of Illinois in Champaign. While her job always used technology extensively, she understands how quickly advancements are made. A self-proclaimed Apple customer, she owns an iPhone and an iPad, but felt she had fallen behind with the myriad of applications available and software like Windows. “When they do an iOS update, it’s not really user friendly. Technology changes drastically almost daily.”

Both Kremnitzer and Kinka frequent the Chicago Ridge Public Library and noticed advertisements for TechWise classes, offered in partnership with Pathlights and created for older adults. Pathlights provides resources, advocacy, programs and services to older adults in Bremen, Lemont, Orland, Palos, Rich and Worth townships, helping them live with independence and dignity.

“At first I was kind of scared of scams and stuff like that,” said Kremnitzer of his new computer. “I wanted to learn programs I wasn’t familiar with – because I really didn’t know how to do anything on the computer. So I signed up for the class.”

“I used to have a whole IT department I could call,” smiles Kinka. “The Pathlights class has been helpful for me to stay in touch with the advances that happen almost daily. I took the class once, saw it was offered again, and with AI technology on the rise, I took it for a second time. They showed the Pope in a white puffer jacket, and you know that is AI, but other areas are not as clear cut because of the rapid pace that it is evolving. I just want to know how to identify and avoid them.”

Jason White, who teaches the Pathlights’ TechWise class series, says buying food and other goods are more expensive for those who aren’t using technology now. “Many times, the only way to access savings is by having a smartphone. It’s unfair that older adults lose out on these savings. Everyone should have access.”

“Nearly everything is done online now,” White says. “Almost all banking is online. Accessing your health records is through an online portal and doctors’ offices often email forms for patients to complete. Or when the patient arrives, they need to use a tablet to fill out the form.”

Many accounts now penalize people with a fee for paying with a check sent through the mail. Travel arrangements are made online. Entertainment tickets are purchased online and most restaurants prefer reservations made online. Older adults may be in a job search, and nearly all employers require an online application.

Alison Parker, Resource Development Manager with Pathlights, explained why achieving digital equity for older adults is so important. “Not being able to access and use technology is a distinct disadvantage today, crippling quality of life, stressing budgets with fees, preventing coupon savings, and eroding independence. Digital equity ensures that all people, no matter who they are, where they live, their education level or their age, have equal access and understanding of how to use the internet and the tools associated with it.”

By offering free TechWise classes, Pathlights helps older adults access computers, tablets and other devices while helping them feel safe, secure and comfortable navigating the internet.

“Older adults may hesitate to ask for help because of fear.” White says overcoming fear is a major component of the TechWise classes.

TechWise meets once a week for six weeks. “The first class is the extreme basics,” says White. “Turning on the computer, using a mouse and keyboard. We move on to internet safety and security and identifying scams.” The class progresses to socializing via the internet, using social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Healthcare access is covered next, exploring patient portals and telehealth. That class also includes instruction on how to use Zoom and other virtual meeting platforms.

“We also discuss local libraries and the resources and tools they offer; databases, rental programs for Wi-Fi, hot spots and equipment like computers, printers, scanners and other technology they have available,” says White. The last class is a “free-for-all where we field and answer all the extra questions people may have. It could be about AI, cryptocurrency, or downloading pictures from your phone to your computer.”

“I’m a real quiet person,” says Kremnitzer. “And yet, in that class, I was asking a lot of questions. I felt very at ease with Jason. He was very patient and helpful. He felt like a friend.”

Students also worked together to solve problems before the classes would begin. Kinka said, “A sense of community evolved, and you get to hear people’s questions and sometimes they’re the ones you had, or you didn’t realize you had. You get to know everyone better and then maintain a relationship outside of that once the classes finish.”

Kinka said, “There were little questions that would come up that I would write down. They were scattered; there was not a specific direction. Jason would answer them in his question and answer period. That was very helpful in rounding out what I needed to know. Not only have I advanced in my understanding, I also learned how to verbalize my questions.”

Kinka is an avid user of the apps on her mobile devices. “Using technology is a benefit in everything. I have my grocery store apps, my health portal – there’s an app called GameChanger that my sister’s children use where you can watch one baseball game in person, and watch another on the app. I’m really excited about that one – the weather, texting, Gmail, and of course the news is a big one for me; I like to stay current.” She notes, “I have a sense of confidence now. With this foundation from TechWise, I can look at something and if I don’t understand it, I just start working with it and frequently, I succeed.”

Kremnitzer says, “I walked out of the class knowing I’m not scared. The computer is not an enemy to me. It’s more of a friend. I’m big into movies and books and music, so I’m always looking up stuff about certain artists, and I use the computer to buy tickets for concerts and comedy clubs. I used it to change my insurance for my house and car. I didn’t have to travel all around, go into offices or call people. I can just do it, and do it any time of day. Online banking feels just as secure as the bank itself.”

Digital equity for older adults results in saving money, opportunities for travel and entertainment, accessing health information and appointments, and combats loneliness and social isolation. Bringing this necessity to older adults helps them live independently, with a better quality of life.

Kremnitzer says, “The world is full of technology; you can’t go anywhere without it, even if you wanted to.”

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