UK: Housing association turns elderly residents into silver surfers
Older residents at a Dominion HousingGroup sheltered accommodation scheme are learning how to use computersfor the very first time in their lives.
Enthusiastic residents at the Orwell Close scheme in Hayes,Hillingdon, have been getting to grips with surfing the web, sendingemails, playing games and typing on the PC in their communal lounge,with the support of a volunteer IT trainer.
Scheme Manger, Ann Hallett, said: “There was an unused PC in thecommunal lounge just gathering dust. I really wanted to encourage theresidents to use the computer for internet access, emails, writingletters or just to play games.
“Initially, many of them thought they were too old to learn but decided to give it a try.”
Orwell Close resident, 82-year-old Donald Dennis, pictured, said:“Our IT trainer is terrific. He’s helped me set up a hotmail emailaccount and got me into using the internet. It has been veryinteresting.”
Orwell Close is one of Dominion’s three sheltered housing schemes,which supports active elderly people. The schemes are a positivehousing choice for older people, providing good quality housing,independence, security and 24-hour care and support.