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4 | February 8, 2018 | The Mokena Messenger news
mokenamessenger.com
Seniors take on technology during McDermed, AT&T seminar
Amanda Stoll, Assistant Editor
We live in a time where
technology is ubiquitous,
and those without access to
it are being more and more
left behind.
To combat some of the
confusion, and sometimes
even fear, that can come
with new technology, State
Rep. Margo McDermed
sponsored a second senior
technology seminar Thursday,
Feb. 1. AT&T representatives
assisted seniors with
their devices and answered
questions ranging from privacy
settings to software
updates.
“It’s really important for
seniors to be able to comfortably
utilize all the technology
and tools that are
out there for them to keep
them connected, to keep
them safe, and to improve
the quality of life and fun
and connection with family,”
McDermed said. “So,
we don’t want people to be
intimidated by it. We don’t
want people to be bullied
or taken advantage of when
they’re using their technology.
We want it to be a fun
connection for them.”
Many families, including
McDermed’s, are spread
across the country, or even
the world, and McDermed
said technology and social
media are great tools for
people to use to stay connected
with the ones they
love.
“Grandma and grandpa
can be part of their grandchildren’s
lives with Skype,
with Instagram [and] with
some of the other technologies
that are available to
us,” she said.
In addition to helping seniors
stay connected, Mc-
Dermed noted how using
mobile banking and bill pay
can help seniors during the
winter months.
Freezing temperatures
and icy surfaces can put
people at risk for falls during
the cold season, and seniors
are at an increased risk
for serious injury from such
a fall.
“These are all things that
make your life simpler and
easier and more convenient,”
McDermed said, “So
to be able to use those fearlessly
is a big advantage.”
One of the most talked
about topics was social media,
and Jeff Adducci, director
of external affairs at
AT&T, said didn’t surprise
him.
“We’re seeing that seniors
are connecting with their
families through social media
[and] connecting with
their friends through social
media,” Adducci said.
While sites and apps such
as Facebook, Instagram
and Snapchat are great at
helping keep seniors from
feeling isolated, especially
those with limited mobility,
Adducci discussed the importance
of online security
and demonstrated how to
use the privacy settings on
popular sites.
Most, if not all, of the
seniors at the seminar were
well-versed on phone and
email scams going, but
Adducci said it is always
good for them to get updates
on new techniques
being used by criminals to
steal personal and financial
information.
“Scammers have new
scams coming out every
day so we were just talking
about some of the ones that
they were experiencing,”
Adducci said.
Adducci said more than
60 percent of seniors are
using some form of technology
to get online.
“I think it’s important that
they use it, but they need to
be comfortable with it,” Adducci
said.
Senior Driving Seminars
Seniors will get a chance
Carol Winemiller (left), of Homewood, and Judy Totosz, of Frankfort, update the privacy settings on their Facebook
accounts during the Senior Technology Seminar hosted by State Rep. Margo McDermed’s office Thursday, Feb. 1, at the
Frankfort Township building. Photos by Amanda Stoll/22nd Century Media
to review the rules of the
road before taking their
driver’s license renewal
test. Instructors are from the
Secretary of State’s Office,
and participants will be provided
with a study book and
a sample test during these
free seminars. For more information
and registration,
call (815) 277-2079.
• 10 a.m.-noon Feb. 20,
New Lenox Public Library,
120 Veterans Parkway, New
Lenox.
• 10 a.m.-noon May 22,
Parker Road Bible Church,
18512 Parker Road, Mokena.
• 10 a.m.-noon Aug. 21,
Frankfort Police Station,
2002 Lincoln-Way Lane,
Frankfort.
• 10 a.m.-noon Nov. 13,
Pipefitters Hall, 10850 W.
187th St., Mokena.
Jeff Adducci, director of external affairs at AT&T, helps Monee resident Pete Rogers update
his laptop software during the seminar.