Encouraging Social Interaction for the Elderly in North Rhine-Westphalia is Crucial
In an era where technology is increasingly central to daily life, older adults are often left struggling to keep up. However, a growing range of initiatives and local service centers are working to bridge the gap, providing hands-on learning, community outreach, and tailored support.
Across the globe, national and international programmes are making strides in digital inclusion. For instance, the Smart Silver ICT Outreach Programme in Hong Kong, running from 2023 to 2025, uses mobile service stations and smart robots for digital tutorials, reaching over 79,000 older adults directly in their communities. Reverse mentorship programmes in the Nordic and Baltic regions empower youth to mentor older adults in digital skills, fostering both digital inclusion and intergenerational connection.
In the United States, the Tech Connect Program, funded by a Spectrum Digital Education grant, offers lectures, workshops, and multi-week courses at community locations, teaching skills like video calling, telehealth appointments, and accessing online resources. digitalLIFT, formerly Community Tech Network, provides free, culturally-inclusive technology classes in multiple languages at public libraries, senior centers, housing developments, and other community venues, offering virtual, one-on-one instruction and supplying devices to those in need.
Key features of effective programmes include hands-on, experiential learning, community-based delivery, intergenerational and peer mentorship, cultural and linguistic inclusion, and device and internet access support. These initiatives report measurable improvements in participants’ ability to navigate the internet safely, stay connected with family and friends, access health and government services, and participate more fully in community life.
The importance of offering opportunities for digital use and qualification for seniors has been emphasized by SPD state parliamentarian Sonja Bongers, who proposed the establishment of digital learning and experience centers to support seniors in participating digitally. Bongers also suggested the establishment of local service centers for seniors to use internet-enabled devices independently, helping to bridge the digital divide among seniors and prevent them from being left behind by digitization.
These local service centers, such as those provided by digitalLIFT, are intended to cater to seniors who are unable to use online services independently, offering internet access for those who do not have it at home. They are an additional measure to support seniors' digital participation beyond the digital learning and experience centers.
In conclusion, digital inclusion for older adults is advancing through a combination of community engagement, practical training, and policy-level advocacy, with an emphasis on accessibility, relevance, and social connection. These initiatives demonstrate that with the right support, older adults can confidently and intuitively navigate the digital network, enhancing their social life and ability to manage daily tasks.
- The Smart Silver ICT Outreach Programme in Hong Kong, running from 2023 to 2025, utilizes mobile service stations and smart robots for digital tutorials, focusing on science and technology, aiming to improve mental health and health-and-wellness among older adults by fostering their digital skills.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness, digitalLIFT, formerly Community Tech Network, offers free, culturally-inclusive technology classes in multiple languages, promoting mental health and aging by ensuring older adults have access to online resources and are able to manage telehealth appointments.
- SPD state parliamentarian Sonja Bongers advocates for the establishment of digital learning and experience centers and local service centers for seniors, emphasizing the importance of technology in bridging the digital divide, thus promoting mental health, health-and-wellness, and aging efficiently.
