Age-Friendly Teaneck Partners on Program to Help Older Residents "Open New Digital Doors"

Older adults in Teaneck don’t have to miss out on the world of video-chat, or be outsmarted by their smart phones.
Age-Friendly Teaneck has joined with Teaneck Public Library, Teaneck Public Schools and Teaneck Township on a new program to help older adults master the digital world. ​

​The Opening New Digital Doors program will feature a series of cable-access television episodes to air on Optimum Cablevision Channel 77 and FIOS Channel 47. In addition, individualized digital technology training is available to older adults. Specially trained Teaneck teen volunteers will work with older adults interested in mastering a digital skill as a complement to the recorded series. 

The aim of the program is to help older adults comfortably navigate the world of communications technology in a time of social distancing. The shows will feature advice and demonstrations both for beginners and those with moderate digital skills.
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The first episode, an overview on technology's many uses and benefits, is narrated by Age-Friendly Teaneck Project Coordinator E.J. Nicolas. It began running last week and will continue to be aired in a loop along with other Township programming, such as recorded versions of several of the exercise and activity classes offered by the Rodda Center's recreation programs for seniors.

A specific programming scheduling hasn’t been determined, so anyone interested will just need to tune in and wait for the programs they want to watch to air. Episodes of Opening New Digital Doors also can be viewed on Age-Friendly Teaneck’s YouTube channel. 

Future episodes will be on topics such as video chat services, telemedicine, on-line banking and on Teaneck Public Library's many digital offerings. 

In tandem with the cable-television episodes, we are working with the library and Teaneck Public schools on training high school students to become technology tutors to older adults.

More details about that part of the program will be announced later, but older adults are advised to contact us to indicate their interest in being matched with a student technology tutor.

Click here to sign-up or call 201-530-6756.

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