Hahnville High School students became the teachers recently on a trip to SummerHouse Ashton Manor.
The students were there to help residents with their questions about phones, iPads and computers and to assist them in gaining comfort with using those devices in a variety of ways. Each student, Jessa Barnhill and Sophie Bourgeois, led a group of seniors during the visit.
It was the beginning of what is planned to be a regular program going forward at the assisted living and memory care facility. The idea was suggested by Janice Nicholas of Hahnville, who had heard about its successful execution elsewhere. She made a phone call to SummerHouse activities coordinator Trudy Lopez and the first day of the question-and-answer workshop came last month at the tail end of the school year.
Lopez said the residents enjoyed it and learned plenty – and she noted she learned a few things herself as well.
“(Nicholas) asked if we had any seniors with phones or tablets, and that she had seen this (program) somewhere else,” Lopez said. “We did have some residents and they were all helped … they were able to ask questions about Androids, (iPhones) … some had phones, some had iPads. They were able to ask whatever questions they had and build some camaraderie. (The residents) were really happy afterwards.”
For those who have grown up with smartphones and other forms of modern technology, working with these devices tends to be second nature. It can be taken for granted that everyone has this experience, but for older generations learning to operate these devices to their potential can be an intimidating process.
“Some don’t know the basics. They might have a phone but be using it just to answer calls. It’s their mechanism to talk to their family,” Lopez said. “But they can do much more with it. And the ones who were helped, they were able to take part and tell the others ‘I learned how to do this, they showed me how to get to my pictures’ or how to send pictures.”
Lopez said the benefits of the program run both ways.
“I think the kids can come in and realize that, this is assisted living but these are men and women who can still do,” Lopez said. “But it’s just a matter of someone taking the time. You may have to show them more than once … I think this is something that everyone can benefit from on each side.”
Nicholas said it warmed her heart to see the vision come to life.
“I’ve had trouble myself with my phone, and my grandson would help me, so it was in my mind. I thought it would be nice,” Nicholas said. “I had seen where a school had put it together and worked with a nursing home in their area … it seemed to go over so well with everyone.”
She credited Lopez and HHS administrator Hope Barnhill with their work in putting the activity together and her grandson, Davis, with providing some of the inspiration.
Lopez said that the next student visit could be within the month if it’s viable to set up during that timeframe with school out for the summer. But if not, the hope is to have the next date as soon as possible once the school year begins again in August.
“We’d love to have them back as soon as we can,” Lopez said.
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