In the past, our grandparents may have lived comfortably without needing to learn how to navigate a rapidly modernizing world. Today, as a global pandemic wreaks havoc across the world, seniors are perhaps the most affected, since they are at the highest risk for coronavirus complications.
Even as Israel slowly re-opened in summer 2020, people over the age of 65 continued to self-isolate and remain physically distant from friends and family. This placed them at significant risk of suffering emotional, physical, and cognitive decline due to isolation.
JDC’s Digital Literacy initiative teaches seniors to use technology such as computers, smart phones, the internet, Facebook, and Skype. JDC launched this initiative in 2019. Little did they know that a pandemic would soon create such extreme needs.
The program enables seniors to continue to benefit from social connections and intellectual stimulation. Most importantly, it helps them feel connected to a community during this challenging time. Since the start of COVID-19, JDC has trained 4,800 professionals and volunteers to work with seniors remotely. They, in turn, have worked with thousands of Israel’s 65+ citizens this year.
Feedback from seniors
JDC’s Digital Literacy program participants reported finally having a sense of control over every day aspects of their lives. They learned about their rights in the sphere of healthcare and finances, and felt capable of using technology. Moreover, they now understood that they could cope with technological changes and progress. Finally, participants were found to be more independent, and have lower levels of depression after receiving digital literacy training.