SpAdmin Blog!

As the holidays approach and the risk of online scams and frauds increases, Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) is launching a series of seminars on “Internet Safety for Seniors” to be delivered in four New York City communities. With the support of the Verizon Foundation and local officials, OATS has developed these seminars to educate older adults on the significant issues of digital fraud and the protection of personal information when using the Internet. The seminars are expected to reach over 500 older adults with critical information that allows them to stay safe online.

OATS is a citywide nonprofit that has taught over 5000 senior citizens to use computers and technology since 2004. The organization offers ongoing opportunities for learning by offering technology training in senior centers and community centers throughout New York City and through its SeniorPlanet website (www.seniorplanet.org).

Older adults are the fastest growing demographic of Internet users today, but as newcomers to the technology, many seniors are especially vulnerable to identity theft and fraud. And crime rates are increasing: In 2008, the national Internet Crime Complaint Center logged over 275,000 Internet fraud complaints (an increase of 33% over 2007). For older adults who do not use the Internet, fear of victimization by Internet scams and fraud is the most commonly cited reason for not going online. Unfortunately, seniors who stay offline have a higher risk of social isolation and have reduced access to information on topics such as healthcare, current events, goods, and services. These new seminars will address risks and best practices for staying safe online with a focus on practical examples and will be held in Harlem (A. Philip Randolph Senior Center), the Bronx (Casa Boricua Senior Center), Queens (location TBD), and Brooklyn (location TBD). Specific topics of the seminars include spam, phishing emails, identity theft, and safe online shopping. Participants in the seminars will be encouraged to ask questions and discuss their own online experiences. Participants will also be given a resource guide to Internet Safety, including agencies to call if they are victimized by identity theft or fraud. The seminars are free to all participants.

 

Supported by the Verizon Foundation

 

 

Sen. Gillibrand Outlines Scams, Proposes New Legislation

Click on this Brooklyn Eagle link to learn more about potential scams targeting seniors and what our representatives are doing to protect us moving forward.

On June 12, 2009 GRAMMY winning Latin Jazz artist Arturo O'Farrill gave a live performance via web-cam to members of SeniorPlanet.org. Seniors from Lincoln Square Neighborhood Center in Manhattan, the Samuel Field Y in Queens and the Castle Hill Senior Center in The Bronx watched on large screens while Mr. O'Farrill played his original music.

Participants were able to ask questions and the conversation varied from Mr. O'Farrill's musical influences to his thoughts on the relationship between Cuba and The United States.

If you were a part of this event please share your thoughts by making a comment below. We welcome all suggestions about future live conversations.

 

If a senior citizen has trouble looking up information on a website, Tom Tullis wants to know why.

Tullis works at the Fidelity Center for Applied Technology in Boston, which is known for its research on website usability. While the center has worked with computer users of all ages in its lab, a growing segment of its studies in recent years has focused on the unique experiences of seniors -- how websites can be better organized and more accessible to those with visual or cognitive difficulties, or those who are less familiar with online services.

Although this article is from 2005, it just goes to show that companies out there realize that seniors are (and will be in the future) very important customers that deserve help navigating technology and the internet. Hopefully Mr. Tullis and the Fidelity Center keep up this important work!

Microsoft and Google, the Hatfields and McCoys of the high-tech industry, are both racing to digitize health care.

This race could eventually provide patients the right to control their own personal health information. But it's also just another example of why more seniors will need to become comfortable and proficient with computers and the Internet.

The article paints a typical scenario in which digital health records could come in handy. Say a person is out of town and gets sick, and goes to an urgent-care clinic or emergency room. The doctors there have no idea about that person's allergies, medical history, or other information. They must therefore rely on whatever the patient can remember and write down. But with the electronic health records, information for each patient will be easily accessed. Of course, the idea of a digital health record has also stirred privacy fears.

What does everyone in the SeniorPlanet community think?

 

 

Thank you for your interest in the 2009 OATS Blog-a-thon! If you are a member of SeniorPlanet you can begin blogging now to start practicing before May. Please be sure to send an email to blogathon@seniorplanet.org to let us know you are participating. We will send you a packet with detailed instructions and forms to track your donations.

If you are not a member of SeniorPlanet you do not have to email us, just sign up now by clicking here. New users will automatically be enrolled in the blog-a-thon.

For SeniorPlanet Members

If you are already a member of SeniorPlanet you can begin blogging in just four steps.

1. Log into your SeniorPlanet account.

2. Click the button on the top right next to your username that says "My account."

3. Scroll down to the box that says "blog information" and enter a title for your blog. This title will be displayed at the top of your page. You can write something like "Mary's Blog" or "My thoughts." This is your chance to think of a creative name for your page. When you finish click the "Submit" button at the bottom of the page.

4. Now you can start writing on your blog. Click the "My blog" button in the top left corner to start typing.

For those who have not signed up on SeniorPlanet

You will have to create an account on SeniorPlanet before you can begin blogging.

Documents:
Blogathon Flyer
Blogger Pack

The 2009 OATS Blog-a-thon is a fundraiser to help provide computer classes for senior citizens in low-income communities. Social isolation for seniors is a major concern in America, and it is no secret that technology barriers often aggravate the problem. OATS has worked hard to create SeniorPlanet and hopes that the blog-a-thon will help seniors stay connected to friends and family as well as engage the community in a worthy cause.

What is a blog-a-thon?

A blog-a-thon is just like a walk-a-thon. A senior will seek out friends and family members to sponsor their blog. Sponsors can donate per blog post or give a flat donation. Throughout the month of May, the blogger will post as many entries as possible. All proceeds will benefit OATS and SeniorPlanet programs.

What exactly is a blog?

The word blog is short for "Web log." It is a page on the internet for one person to write creatively and freely about whatever topics they are interested in. Each time the blogger writes on the page it is called a "post." The most recent post is displayed at the top of the page while older entries get displayed below. Although, each blog is written by one person, other people can comment on what the "blogger" has written. Comments are a large part of blogging because they often spark interesting conversation and let the blogger know that people are reading their posts.

How do I become a blogger?

Signing up for the blog-a-thon is easy and can be done online in about 10 minutes. For complete instructions on how to sign up click here.

I want to sponsor a blogger?

If you are interested in sponsoring a blogger, but don't know of any senior in your life who you could sponsor, feel free to email us, blogathon@seniorplanet.org. We will connect you with a senior blogger and provide you with a link to their blog so you can keep track and encourage them.

If you have any other questions feel free to contact us through email at blogathon@seniorplanet.org, or by phone 718-974-8357.

Documents:
Blogathon Flyer
Blogger Pack

To listen to Gale Brewer on The Brian Lehrer show click the play button below. The play button is the grey triangle on the left hand side of the audio player below.

1. What is the Digital Switch?

On June 12th all television stations will begin to broadcast only digital signals. That means if you use "rabbit ear" antennas or have an antenna on your roof your television will no longer work. If you currently have cable, digital or satellite, you will not be effected by this switch.

2. I use an antenna. What should I do?

You should purchase a digital converter box. These typically cost between $40 - $70 and can be purchased at numerous electronic stores. Check the following stores.

Target

JnR

Best Buy

3. Can I get a free digital converter box?

In preparation for the switch the Federal Government set up a coupon program for all US households. Everyone is entitled to two $40 vouchers to go toward the purchase of a converter box. Unfortunately, the coupons have run out. You can go to the following website to apply and be put on a waiting list for a coupon. www.dtv2009.gov/ApplyCoupon.aspx. There is no guarantee you will receive a coupon before June 12th.

4. How do I install my converter box?

To watch a video on how to install the converter box click here.

5. Is this happening for sure?

Though there has been talk recently of the digital switch being delayed, it's best to be prepared. Feel free to contact SeniorPlanet if you have any problems or concerns info@seniorplanet.org or 718-360-1707.

SeniorPlanet is pleased to host an on-camera discussion with New York City Department for the Aging Commissioner Edwin Mendez-Santiago. DFTA is leading an effort to modernize services for older adults throughout New York City. A large part of this effort will be the revamping of senior centers. The discussion, hosted by OATS Executive Director Tom Kamber, will feature Commissioner Mendez-Santiago and several SeniorPlanet members discussing the specific needs of older adults with regard to senior centers in New York City.

You can get involved with the discussion by submitting your own question here! What do you want to ask Commissioner Mendez-Santiago? What do you want to see happening at your local senior center? Add your comments below. The show will take place on Wednesday, July 23rd and the video will be posted here on SeniorPlanet.

Manhattan 7-28-08


Brooklyn 6-6-08


“You can cut it with a knife!” says Mario Escalera, a music professor at a prominent New York City university. He is talking about the overwhelming sense of discrimination that many older workers experience in today's workplace.

Mario is one of a group of seniors who came to the Prospect Park YMCA last week to talk about the challenges confronting older adults as they seek to continue working or find new jobs in today's economy. The forum, organized by SeniorPlanet, was the first of three meetings set to take place this summer, leading up to a formal report which will be presented to the city council.

"Older workers have a lot to contribute to the local economy," said OATS Executive Director Tom Kamber, who moderated the session, "but policy makers need to do a better job of helping them succeed and break through the barriers of discrimination, inadequate training, and financial constraints."

One potentially big issue is the cost difference between older and younger workers. Mr. Escalera is a perfect example; as a veteran professor he makes two or three times as much as a new hire would, and he is feeling the pressure to move on. “You know the Vonage commercial where that guy keeps getting pushed off the screen?” asks Mr. Escalera, “Well I’m that guy getting pushed off.”

Lester Johnson retired from the Federal Reserve bank after 30 years of service. He faced a different challenge when he decided, after several years, to return to the workforce . “I was interviewing for a position and the woman said to me in, in essence, ‘You need to go home and sit in your rocking chair.’”

But seniors are not just sitting in their rocking chairs. They are taking a stand against discrimination and demanding that the city start taking action to improve the circumstances for older workers.

Here are four ideas that emerged for ways the City can help older workers:

• Help raise awareness of age discrimination and increase enforcement of laws against age discrimination
• Support employers who hire and retain older workers. Provide training, tax incentives, and other benefits for employers who hire older workers.
• Employer/Employee agreements. Help employers create flexible arrangements with older employees so they can stay employed with reduced hours and salaries, but continued productive employment.
• Rethink Medicare. Support legislation that would cover older workers with Medicare, instead of forcing employers to pay for costly coverage.

What do you think about these suggestions? Share your comments and suggestions with us by clicking on the link below that says “Add new comment.”