Page 35 - Jewish News_October-2020

JEWISH INTEREST October 2020 35

Aging Jewishly – What our traditions teach us about growing old

From technoklutz to “Silver Techie” –

COVID-19 pushes seniors into the digital age

By Rabbi Barbara Aiello

he box sat on the kitchen ta- The study also found that although On the bright side, PRNewswire with it a return to the book of B’resheet
ble, partially opened. Amid the many adults enter retirement after hav- reports that six out of 10 older adults, (Genesis), we find these words of com-
Tcardboard and bubble wrap, ing used computers during their work whom they term “Silver Techies,” are fort: “And God saw everything that
the corner of what looked like an elec- lives, and each year more older adults embracing technology – an advance- he had made, and behold, it was very
tronic device seemed to taunt Connie access the internet, a digital divide ex- ment brought about, in large part, by good.” That includes laptops, iPads,
to retrieve it. But ists between seniors and younger peo- the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, ac- smartphones and apps – the “ganza
Connie, the recip- ple. This divide is most obvious in that cording to a new healthinsurance.com megillah” – just waiting for seniors to
ient of the “gift,” “Older adults use significantly fewer survey, these Medicare-eligible seniors explore, appreciate and embrace.
was having none digital applications and spend less time are overcoming psychological barriers For 10 years Rabbi Barbara Aiello
of it. That was online than younger adults.” to become digitally savvy, mainly be- served the Aviva Campus for Senior
until Connie’s In recent years, pre-COVID, ex- cause they now find an online meeting Life as resident rabbi. Her most pop-
best friend Joan perts in aging believed that senior re- with a doctor or other health profes- ular columns are now published in her
stopped by. luctance to enter the digital age was sional an important alternative to an new book, Aging Jewishly, available
“Don’t come grounded in a lack of accessibility. It in-person office visit. Then there are on Amazon. Rabbi Barbara now lives
in until you’ve was assumed that finding and using a the Zoom, FaceTime and Skype visits and works in Italy where she is rabbi
Rabbi Barbara Aiello sanitized your computer was complicated and difficult with family members that, sans digital of Italy’s first Reconstructionist syna-
hands,” said Connie. “The bottle is by for older adults. The Lancaster Univer- technology, would not happen for se- gogue. Contact her at Rabbi@Rabbi
the door. And wait right there ’til I get sity study determined that accessibili- niors during the COVID era. Barbara.com.
my mask.” Connie, who was now ready ty was not the problem. Instead, they With the New Year upon us, and
for visitors, motioned for Joan to sit at found that “personally held values to
the kitchen table. That’s when Joan do with the desirability of technolo-
saw Connie’s half-opened box with gy… and fears of getting things wrong
what appeared to be a state-of-the-art when using software are significant
iPad inside. “OMG,” Joan announced. factors holding back technology use
“You’ve got an iPad Pro there. Wow! among older adults.”
Lucky you!” Seniors also reported concerns re- SUPPORT
Connie pushed the box toward garding security, especially related to Friendship at Home
Financial Stability
her friend – a gesture that seemed to online banking, were also significant In-home Support
renounce ownership of her gift. “My factors holding them back from the Home Delivered Meals
son and granddaughter sent me this… digital world. Educational Programs
this… machine for my birthday. You “I haven’t seen my granddaughter CAREGIVING
say ‘Lucky me?’ I say Oy Gevalt! I’m for five months,” Connie said, “and I Caregiver Resource Centers
too old for this stuff.” want to talk to her on this new gadget Adult Day Care Programs
Support Groups
Joan shook her head in disbelief but I’m afraid I’ll mess it up so badly Educational Programs
and began to read the promotional that it can’t be fixed.”
material tucked inside the box, high- Dr. Bran Knowles and Professor HEALTH & WELLNESS
lighting for Connie the miraculous Vicki Hanson addressed this and other Senior Centers
properties of her gift. “It says right here issues in their paper, “The Wisdom of Friendship Cafés
Senior Fitness
that you have a magical piece of glass, Older Technology (Non) Users” (ACM Balance Movement
faster than most computers, that has a Journals). Dr. Knowles found that, Lifelong Learning
state-of-the-art camera, too. Your fam- “The fact that digital technologies can
ily gave you a fancy-schmancy iPad and do make certain jobs obsolete is a friendshipcenters.org | 941.955.2122
Pro, that BTW, I could kill for, and all common concern for older adults who
you can say is ‘Oy Gevalt?’ Connie worry about their grandchildren’s job SARASOTA VENICE
Dahling, have you lost your marbles?” prospects.” Knowles emphasizes that 1888 Brother Geenen Way 2350 Scenic Drive
Connie’s dilemma and Joan’s re- developing solutions to attend to this Sarasota, FL 34236 Venice, FL 34293
action are not unique. In fact, they wider societal problem appears to be
demonstrate opposite ends of the digi- key to fostering acceptance of digital
tal continuum compounded for seniors technologies among older adults.
by the isolation caused by COVID-19. Researchers also found some old- MAR200947A
While Joan has embraced the digital er people, like Connie, use their age
age, Connie is reluctant to try. as a cover for distancing themselves
Even before the advent of the pan- from technology. The researchers call
demic, research professionals began to it “playing the age card” – a myth that
study why some older people were un- many older adults themselves often
comfortable with digital technologies. perpetuate so that they don’t have to
A 2018 study conducted by Lan- deal with electronic advances. It’s the
caster University in the UK revealed “can’t teach an old dog new tricks”
that, “Fear of making mistakes and wid- syndrome that becomes a psycholog-
er concerns about their social respon- ical obstacle preventing seniors like Tidewell Hospice
sibility are among reasons why older Connie from taking the “gadget” out of
people are rejecting digital technologies.” its box. is committed to meeting the spiritual and

physical needs of our patients and families.
STAY CONNECTED STAY CONNECTED As a certified Jewish Hospice, Tidewell offers:
• Mezuzah and Shabbat candles
• Spiritual consultation with Rabbi
facebook.com/jfedsrq twitter.com/jfedsrq Many of Tidewell’s services are funded by donors.
on request
• Hebrew Bible and prayer book

Visit tidewellfoundation.org to donate or learn more.

www.tidewell.org • 941-552-7500 • 855-Tidewell