These silver-haired locals got an upgrade!
Dozens of seniors tried out all sorts of new-fangled doohickeys at the first-ever Senior Tech Fair on June 24. Organizers at the Bay Ridge Center gently introduced oldsters to a variety of cutting-edge gizmos that can make their lives easier and more entertaining, said the fair’s head honcho.
“So many seniors just have a fear of technology, and one of the things we wanted to show them is it is not something to be feared,” said Bay Ridgite Todd Fliedner. “Technology really is your friend.”
The fair featured tutorials on nifty apps for smartphones and other devices — including Capsule Pharmacy, which sends refills or new prescriptions; Sherpaa Health, which connects patients and doctors for in-home visits; and Lumosity, a collection brain games to enhance cognitive abilities such as memory, mental flexibility, and problem solving.
Seniors experimented with household tech that once seemed like the stuff of science fiction, explored the wonders of social media, and brushed up on their computer and tablet skills.
But there was plenty of fun and games, too, said Fliedner.
“It was really fantastic,” he said. “They got to try all sorts of fun things out. We even had a drone demonstration where they got to go outside and see how it works.”
Oldsters even had the chance to try virtual reality headsets that make traveling the world in their twilight years easy.
“There are programs where you can go to Paris, and literally walk on the streets,” said Fliedner. “Well, it’s virtually walking the streets of Paris, but we could organize trips where seniors come in and go to these places. So now the seniors can travel to a place they may never be able to physically get to.”
Councilman Vincent Gentile (D–Bay Ridge), Community News Group, and Older Adults Technology Services were among the event’s sponsors.
