EmblemHealth, the New York-based health insurer and wellness company, announced a partnership with Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) to improve access to health and wellness information for older New Yorkers through the use of technology. Twenty seniors enrolled in a free, ten-week Introduction to the iPad course offered by OATS at EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care at 215 West 125th Street in Harlem, N.Y. and will “graduate” from the course on Monday, March 31, 2014 beginning at 2 pm.
Harlem’s seniors face disproportionately high rates of chronic conditions, including diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care addresses these health issues by providing the community with the tools and resources they need to live healthier lives, such as nutrition classes, exercise programs, and workshops, all free and open to everyone.
“The iPad class is a natural fit with the programs we offer here at EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care,” says Ben Scaccia, director of EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care Operations. “Our mission is to break down any and every barrier that keeps people from focusing on their health and well-being. This class empowers older New Yorkers to learn how to use a device that opens up a whole new world for them.”
The community-based technology education program helps Harlem’s seniors access information they can use to improve their health and wellness goals. During the course, 20 seniors learn how to use the iPad to connect with their family and friends, access health resources and benefits on the Internet, take advantage of wellness apps, and keep track of their doctor’s appointments.
“Seniors are now leapfrogging personal computers and accessing the Internet directly from mobile devices,” said Tom Kamber, executive director of OATS. “For seniors, tablets and smartphones are easier to use, faster to learn on and cheaper to buy than desktops, making mobile technology a preferred choice for older adults who want to enter the digital age.”
Health and medical information is the most common type of content that older adults pursue on the Internet. By teaching seniors how to use the iPad and go online, EmblemHealth and OATS will empower older New Yorkers to take control of many of their care-related responsibilities.
A study by The New York Academy of Medicine showed that 89 percent of participants in OATS programs reported that their ability to access information increased as a result of the training. Seventy one percent reported searching for health information online, six months after completing OATS training courses.
For more information, visit www.emblemhealth.com.
For more information contact: www.oats.org
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