Seniors go high tech at community center

Fallon Health Plan donates computers

From the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, January 8, 2008

By Jean Laquidara Hill TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

RUTLAND— High technology is coming to the Community Center on Glenwood Road.

Fallon Community Health Plan has donated three computers for senior citizens to use through the Council on Aging, and Wednesday selectmen approved erecting a wall to enclose workstations for computer users at the center.

The Community Center has Internet access, so seniors will be able to use the computers to go online. Council on Aging Director Nancy M. Burbank said she is hoping computer access will open worlds to the many seniors who spend time at the center, and draw out some of the older residents who stay home.

“It’s something else to draw them out of the house,” said Mrs. Burbank. “I really think this is going to bring in seniors who would be inclined to (use computers) but maybe don’t have the opportunity.”

The wall, Mrs. Burbank said Thursday, will provide security for the computers and divide computer users from other activities going on at the same time in Room 3 of the Community Center, where the three workstations will be. It is one of the rooms off the main activity room.

The wall will be built by students from Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School in Charlton. Rutland sends students to the school.

Bay Path students will also build other elements of the computer area. The materials are being donated by Blair Enterprises and work will begin soon, said Mrs. Burbank. As part of their vote approving construction of the wall, selectmen waived all building permit fees.

The doorway to the room will be wide enough for wheelchairs, and the computer area will be designed so that someone in a wheelchair will have room to maneuver.

Mrs. Burbank said the computers were donated by a Fallon employee who had visited the Community Center several times to explain health plans to senior citizens. She said she was offered the free computers when Fallon was buying new ones.

Asked by selectmen whether the computers came with monitors, a smiling Mrs. Burbank said they did. “We have everything,” she said enthusiastically.

Mrs. Burbank said Thursday she will seek a volunteer to help senior citizens who are unfamiliar with computers and the Internet so they can take advantage of whatever is available online, from communicating with family and friends to research.

Also, Mrs. Burbank said, she will put dozens of photographs from Council on Aging fundraisers and other events on the computers so senior citizens can see them and have them printed if they want them for scrapbooks or other uses. “How cool is that?” she asked.

Up to 250 seniors use the Community Center every week for the many activities held there, including a lunch program Monday through Friday, said Mrs. Burbank. The Council on Aging and the Recreation Department share space nearly every day for various programs at the center, which includes a children’s playroom. “We work together very nicely,” Mrs. Burbank said.

Mrs. Burbank said the main room of the Community Center was recently filled with 110 seniors who attended a Christmas party, complete with dinner and live entertainment, provided by the town Police Department.