UTSA, OATS closing technology gap for older adults in San Antonio | UTSA Today | UTSA

The NIH grant is funding the distribution of tablets and a 5-week technology schooling class for more mature older people at 12 senior facilities throughout the city. Soon after they have completed the technology training program, the members will consider an on the internet nourishment course created by Ullevig and her group.

“The main target is to see if we can boost their diet high quality and lessen foodstuff insecurity. We also purpose to improve their understanding, use and obtain of technological innovation,” Ullevig reported. “We hope to strengthen social isolation and loneliness. If more mature grown ups just can’t get to the heart, they can socialize on the net in this examine. We’re in a technologies-dependent globe, and there are people today who are receiving remaining out of it.”

Ahead of the pandemic, senior centers supplied incredibly hot foods in a congregate environment, prospects for socializing and academic outreach. But several of these centers closed for months immediately after March 2020. All through the closures, congregate meal company transitioned to distributing the 5 meals by means of 2 times-a-week curbside pickup and shipping for those unable to pick up their foods.

At a time when food items insecurity has attained new heights, lots of community older older people have been isolated without having access to net systems, compounding these difficulties.

That is switching with the NIH grant.

“By joining forces with UTSA and COSA, we are capable to provide 19, five-week courses that sent 228 coaching periods and to distribute 181 Generation 9 iPads in the fingers of more mature adults in our local community in the to start with quarter of 2023,” explained Darryl Greer, OATS south regional plan supervisor. “This type of electronic fairness is a lifeline for folks who otherwise may possibly not have accessibility to technological innovation, and consequently, possibility exclusion from the modern planet.”

“Technology is not going away. We are concentrated on the trainings we present, while simultaneously working with organizations and institutions that can amplify our efforts.”

In all, OATS will deliver units and education to an estimated 400 contributors.

Ullevig is operating with a team of UTSA scientists to finish the project. Her co-investigators include Erica Sosa, associate dean for investigation and professor in HCAP’s Office of Public Health public health and fitness professors Meizi He and Zenong Yin and Tianou Zhang, assistant professor in HCAP’s Department of Kinesiology.

The researchers labored with the City of San Antonio’s Division of Human Providers and OATS to apply a program to maximize entry to and create a detailed knowledge of technology between San Antonio’s older adult inhabitants. OATS supplied the devices, web obtain, tech guidance and a five-week schooling program to the target populace.

UTSA is offering an on-line, 15-7 days digital diet intervention program, following the engineering study course.