Smartphones, Twitter, Facebook, Skype, iPads, Nooks, bits, bytes…all just digital buzzwords used by youth, right? While app-fixation is associated with younger generations, every group of society, including senior citizens, stand to benefit from advances in technology. And there are plenty of resources to help tech savvy-seniors looking to learn.  

That’s what the Third Annual Computer Tech Expo at Ann’s Choice showcased Friday. 

“The purpose of the Tech Expo was to give residents a brief, hands-on experience with current technologies, and to point them in the direction of learning and using whatever will be useful and interesting to them," said Ann’s Choice resident Dick Blackburn, one of the facilitators of the expo. 

“All of our residents have access to at least 25 computers where they can play games, send and receive e-mail, scan the Internet, use data bases and applications—depending upon their level of knowledge and expertise," Blackburn said.  "We want to help them increase that knowledge and skill.” 

On Friday, a room full of open-minded and bright-eyed residents came to the expo – all eager to learn what technology has to offer them. Some residents had little to no computer knowledge, others knew how to create their own resident-driven website, and then there were those who actually taught other seniors how to benefit from computers. 

All came together under one roof to talk tech and learn how the advances of digital technology can improve their lives. There were several digital tech learning stations, all supervised, taught and facilitated by these seniors, an outside vendor and students from Hatboro-Horsham High School.  

Some of these tech learning stations included:

• New Computer Users Station
• How to Smartphone
• Using Email
• Learn your iPad
• How to use the Nook®
• Using Ancestry.com to find family
• The Ann’s Choice Resident Website 
• Going Green through Technology

Ann’s Choice Executive Director Chris Donati said older adults utilize technology for fun, socialization, improved health and to stay connected with family and friends now more than ever.

"Ann’s Choice recognizes this [increased desire for technology], which is why we decided to hold the the Tech Expos- to help educate [residents] about the computer applications available in the technology world for them to discover,” he said.