Agency launches Connectivity Hub project to empower older adults with technology

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PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – Aroostook Agency on Aging will soon be launching a new initiative designed to support technology adoption among older adults in Aroostook County. Funded by a $400,000 grant from the Maine Connectivity Authority to support capital improvements to the Agency’s technology infrastructure and services, the Connectivity Hub project aims to empower older residents to become more confident and capable participants in an increasingly digital world.

For more than 50 years, the Aroostook Agency on Aging has been The County’s trusted source for knowledge, resources, and support on aging. Recognizing that many older adults haven’t spent a lifetime using online services and other technologies, Agency leaders saw the need for a Connectivity Hub that helps bridge the digital divide. While technology can maintain strong personal connections and provide timely access to essential services, it can also pose significant barriers, especially when phone based services require text or email authentication.

“We see technology as an incredible enabler for older adults, but only if they have the skills and confidence to use it,” said Kathryn Harnish, director of strategic initiatives and communications at the Aroostook Agency on Aging. “This funding from the Maine Connectivity Authority allows us to create a space where older adults can learn and grow in their use of technology.”

Historical barriers to broadband access and limited exposure to digital technologies have created a significant gap in Aroostook County between those who have access to modern information and communications devices and those who do not. Older residents are 20 percent less likely to have high-speed Internet access compared to other age groups in northern Maine and more than twice as likely as their peers statewide to lack home connectivity. This contributes to a sizeable skill gap, with many older adults reporting limited understanding of devices and software, leading to fears of making mistakes and concerns about privacy and security.

Aroostook Agency on Aging has received a $400,000 grant from the Maine Connectivity Authority to support capital improvements to the Agency’s technology infrastructure and services. The Connectivity Hub project aims to empower older residents to become more confident and capable participants in an increasingly digital world. Agency employees, from left, Tamara Cote, Ginny Joles and Corinthian Dockery review the criteria for tech-savvy volunteers who will help older residents bridge the digital divide. (Contributed photo)

“Many of our older consumers have not yet fully realized the benefits of technology, including social connection and access to essential services,” added Harnish. “Our program aims to provide a safe and trusted environment for technology education, helping older adults confidently engage with the digital world.”

The Connectivity Hub program will support opportunities for greater digital inclusion by creating a “Tech Connect Center” at its Presque Isle location. In this supportive environment, which will be staffed by friendly, tech-savvy volunteers, older adults will have access to both technology and expertise necessary to foster participation in lifelong learning experiences, telehealth services, virtual social engagement activities, and more. The grant also provides access to emerging applications – such as virtual reality and smart assistants – to ensure that community members are ready to move forward with technology. Finally, recognizing the financial barriers to technology access, the program will establish a lending library of tech resources, allowing older adults to borrow iPads, Wi-Fi hotspots, smart devices and more for use in their homes.

“Our goal is to make technology accessible and understandable for older adults,” said Harnish. “When people are connected in this way, they experience higher levels of physical, emotional, and social wellness.”

The Agency’s Connectivity Hub award is one of three awarded to organizations in Aroostook County. Joy Barresi Saucier, executive director of the Agency, noted, “We’re grateful to the Maine Connectivity Authority for recognizing the opportunities here in The County, and we’re in terrific company with Caribou Public Library and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, who have also received funding to tackle this important digital equity work.”

The Aroostook Agency on Aging invites the community to support this important initiative. “Whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading the word, your involvement can help bridge the digital divide and enhance the quality of life for older adults in Aroostook County,” Barresi Saucier added.

For more information about the Connectivity Hub project or to get involved, please call the Agency at 207-764-3396/1-800-439-1789 or email to info@aroostookaging.org.

The mission of the Aroostook Agency on Aging is to improve the quality of life and promote the well-being of older people in our communities. For more than 50 years, the agency has served as a resource, helping people to access information and services, while also advocating to assure the rights we all value are respected.