Virtual Connections’ comprehensive smartphone guides are designed for older adults at different stages, from beginners to more advanced users. You can use the guide independently at your own pace or invite a family member or friend to share the experience. The guides can also support collaborative learning in classroom or community settings.

Individuals may choose to use the guide on their own or join a group at a hosting library or senior center. Whatever works for you, we recommend beginning at the front of the guide to build confidence with the basics of using a smartphone before moving on to more advanced tools.

Virtual Connections’ comprehensive smartphone guides can serve as a bridge for families navigating technology together. Family members can use the guides as teaching tools while creating a confident, frustration-free and supportive learning environment. You can work with a spouse, parent or grandparent at a pace that is comfortable for everyone.

Family members have also used our materials to improve their own skills while helping a loved one develop greater confidence with digital tools.

Improving digital literacy supports connections with family and friends, access to senior benefits, transportation and community programs, and the use of telehealth and patient portals. It can build confidence and independence while improving online safety.

Organizations have used these materials with small groups following lunch gatherings, during home-delivered meal visits and in learning sessions where trained high school students serve as one-to-one coaches. Libraries can also use the guides to host technology-learning sessions for registered participants.

Older adults may appreciate having these learning experiences in familiar surroundings. Digital-literacy programming may also attract nearby audiences who have not previously used an organization’s services.

Digital literacy can be life-changing. Your practical skills can be put to good use while helping older adults improve their digital literacy. You do not need to be a technology expert to help someone who may need encouragement while learning new skills.

If you are interested in smartphone coaching in our 6-week series held at libraries, senior centers and other local agencies, contact us to join a volunteer orientation to get started. If you are unable to volunteer with us in a 6-week series, our smartphone guides were designed to be easy to use. People interested in coaching a family member or friend can use the resources without additional assistance. Download the guides from the Resources section of the website.

Caregivers often face high levels of stress and burnout. While many caregivers are interested in using technology to search for services, coordinate deliveries, refill prescriptions and manage health devices or records, not everyone begins with confidence in using digital tools.

Caregivers have used our practical materials to build competence and confidence, connect with services, increase device accessibility, access health information and navigate everyday digital tasks. These skills can then be shared with friends, family members and clients to improve access to care.

Digital skills may advance the care of older adults in numerous ways, including setting reminders for appointments, medical visits and medications, as well as everyday tasks such as grocery lists and calls. More advanced uses include recording health behaviors and vital signs. Helping clients improve their digital skills may also support more independent check-ins with family members and health providers.

Telehealth and virtual-care providers work to reduce barriers to health care, make connecting with care easier and improve health equity, especially in rural and underserved communities. Common challenges include limited patient knowledge about telehealth and low confidence using digital resources such as patient portals. Virtual Connections’ smartphone guides and telehealth videos can help address those challenges.

Parents and legal guardians play a unique role in telehealth. As advocates for the children in their care, they may be asked to describe symptoms and changes in behavior while also managing the technical aspects of a virtual appointment. The Virtual Connections telehealth videos can help develop those technical skills, allowing parents and guardians to focus on the conversation.

The cybersecurity information in the smartphone guides can also help families protect children’s personal information and medical records while using digital health services.