TEXARKANA, Texas -- The Ark-Tex Council of Government's Area Agency on Aging wants to help senior adults improve their technology skills with the help of some local teens.
"Seniors Serving Seniors" is a technology class that helps high school seniors earn community service hours by teaching senior citizens how to operate cellphones and computers.
This year's class starts April 4 and will meet on Thursdays for four weeks at the ATCOG Building, 4808 Elizabeth St. Morning classes will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., and afternoon classes will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Angela Glass, a benefits counselor with Area Agency on Aging, said she was inspired to start the program in 2023 when she noticed her teenage daughter helping her grandfather with something on his phone.
"Everything is going online now. There are times seniors need to fill out an application online and they worry about it. Some of them don't even have an email address," Glass said.
The agency reached out to local high schools and recruited some students.
Anyone 60 or older who lives in the Texarkana area can take the class. Glass and Vonne Wilson, both benefits counselors, will teach the classes.
The classes will include basic instruction on smartphones, tablets and internet browsing. Seniors will learn how to take photos with their phones and how to email photos.
One aspect will be for seniors to practice safety when they use their smartphone, computer or tablet on the internet to avoid fraudulent activity. They can also learn how to use their devices to order medications from a pharmacy and order groceries or other items online for pickup at the store or by home delivery.
Seniors will be serving as positive role models for youth and helping the students earn community service hours for college admissions applications. Students are encouraged to bring their own devices, but ones will be provided for the class if necessary.
Space is limited, so those interested are encouraged to reserve a seat at 1-800-372-4464 or [email protected].