Proud to Be from Pittsburgh: "Plugged in" seniors

PITTSBURGH — The city of Pittsburgh recently purchased 89 tablets with protective cases, but they’re not staying in City Hall. The tablets were delivered just last week to 11 senior centers with Wi-Fi around the city.

Seniors can still play dominoes, get a hot meal and do puzzles, but now they can also navigate the worldwide web. First, though, they have to learn how to use them.

Senior citizens at Lawrenceville’s Healthy Active Living Center are starting at the very beginning as they learn a new set of skills.

The center is one of 11 in the city that are offering classes on navigating the internet.

“It's a whole new world to a lot of people,” Leif Gerjuoy, the class instructor, said.

“Technology, they want to be a part of it.  They don't want to be left behind,” Healthy Active Living Center Director Hakeim McKenzie said.

McKenzie said he knows that when seniors are linked in to current technology, they are also better connected to friends and family.

“For them to be able to talk - maybe not touch, because they’re across the country - but being able to see a true, genuine smile from that family member is very heartwarming,” McKenzie said.

Irene Kozlowski told her niece she was going to computer class.

“I says, ‘Do you think I'll be able to do it?’ And she sort of smiled a little because I'm 91 years old, but I said, 'I’ve got to do it,'” Kozlowski said.

Kozlowski and her friend Ruth Turowski said they really want to learn and plan on attending class every Monday morning until they get the hang of Windows, Facebook and sending emails.

Anyone who wishes to learn more about where the Healthy Active Living Centers are offering classes using the new tablets can call the city’s information and referral line at 412-422-6401.

Cox Media Group