RECONECTADOS. Technology is ageless is a complete and free programme that seeks to boost the digital capabilities of old people and their direct environment. The programme consists of face-to-face workshops, online training and educational resources for their direct environment, whether they are family members or professionals.
Fundación Telefónica launches RECONECTADOS. Technology is ageless is a complete and free programme that seeks to boost the digital capabilities of old people and their direct environment. The project consists of three initiatives: the opening of a permanent cycle of face-to-face workshops at Espacio Fundación Telefónica; online training courses; and educational resources for their direct environment, whether they are family members or professionals. In addition, the media outlet 65YMÁS and its Executive Chairman, Fernando Ónega, have collaborated as ambassadors for the project.
The presentation took place in the Auditorium of the Espacio Fundación Telefónica and was attended by Carmen Morenés, Director General of Fundación Telefónica; Alejandra Kindelán, President of the Spanish Banking Association and its foundation; Ramón Sánchez-Ocaña, journalist and member of the 65YMÁS editorial committee; Óscar Álvarez, Director General of Care for the Elderly and Dependency of the Community of Madrid; Ángeles de Miguel Gurumeta, former Telefónica telephone operator; Nuria Mateo Ballesta, President of the Official Association of Occupational Therapists of the Community of Madrid (COPTOCAM); Elisa Lillo, head of the Madrid Salud project for the Prevention of Unwanted Loneliness; Paulino Moreno, SECOT volunteer; and Carlos Palacios, Director of Social Action and Volunteering at the Fundación Telefónica. All of them emphasised the value of digital skills training for older people as a crucial key for them to be able to contribute their full potential and experience to the digital society.
During her speech, Carmen Morenés said: “With education and training as Fundación Telefónica’s main strategic pillars, we are launching RECONNECTED, a project that will help to boost the full potential of older people in this digital era, because we are aware of the enormous value they bring to our society”
Digital knowledge at the service of older people
The fast digital transformation of recent years has resulted in certain sectors of society not having the time or resources to understand and adapt to the new digital era. It has made people vulnerable who were not vulnerable before, especially the elderly. According to the report ‘Digital Society in Spain 2023 published by Fundación Telefónica, only three quarters of people over 65 have used the Internet in the last three months, and only 60% use it on a daily basis.
Post-war children are a generation with a wide range of life experience. They have witnessed the most radical changes our society has seen in the last century, and the digital age should not be a barrier to them being able to contribute their full potential to the community. Fundación Telefónica, through RECONECTADOS. Technology is ageless, it is committed to digital knowledge as a bridge between its experience and the new technological environment.
The on-site training cycle will take place every Thursday at the Espacio Fundación Telefónica and will be made up of five workshops, with a duration of two hours each. Its content will focus on how the mobile phone works, applications to improve everyday life, how to use Whatsapp better, safer use of technology or an introduction to new emerging technologies such as the Metaverse. The sessions will be guided by Fundación Telefónica’s educational team and will also be accompanied by Telefónica Volunteers.
In addition, during the face-to-face sessions, different activities will also be carried out so that older people can experience the knowledge generated in the Espacio Fundación Telefónica, such as guided visits to the exhibitions or participation in specific events of interest to them.
These training contents will also be available through online courses so that everyone can do them at their own pace and in any place, thus extending the impact of the project to all those who wish to improve their digital skills.
Likewise, aware of the importance of the close environment for the elderly, whether through family members or professionals who work with them on a daily basis, Fundación Telefónica provides them with training resources so that they can accompany the senior group in their learning process.
