Funding to get the elderly tech-savvy

Grandfather Bernard O’Connor says the internet will be a lifeline for him this Christmas.

His wife Patricia is in a nursing home after she suffered a stroke in September and their son and daughter have emigrated.

”I have five grandchildren living in Australia and Germany and I now use Skype to see how they are getting on,” says Bernard, who completed a computer course some time ago, which was run by Age Action.

He was one of a number of older people at the Digital Hub in Dublin when Alex White, the Minister for Communications, announced €520,000 in training funds to get ‘non-liners’ (people who do not use the internet) online.

Bernard has used the internet to gain a master’s degree in Irish history.

“I would urge other people like me not to be afraid of computers,” he says. “As well as being a mine of information, I have found it is a fantastic way to keep in touch with family.”

Also attending was the founder of Third Age Ireland, Mary Nally, a retired nurse who, like Bernard, learned how to use computers late in life.

“Third Age has been involved in providing computer training for a number of years and we can really how it benefits people,” says Mary.

“I was on Skype talking to my sister in Sydney last night and we had a great chat. I think the internet brings people closer together because you can remain connected to family and friends. no matter where they are around the world.”

Mary says older people found computers were no bother once they got started. “We now have a waiting list for training,” she says. “That speaks volumes.”

Mr White said the funding would be awarded to 29 projects to help 12,000 people develop basic internet skills. Some 114,000 people have been assisted in internet use by the BenefIT Programme since it was established in 2008.