Angela Sinnott of Newington uses the "MySeniorCenter" system to sign in for programs and view future events, among other things. [Photo: Jake Koteen]

Ease of use pleases patrons and staff

Mary Lou Condon, who proudly identifies herself as a member of the Greatest Generation and the Newington Senior and Disabled Center, thinks the computer-based information management system "MySeniorCenter" is great. "It lists everything going on so it's easy to choose what you want to do," she says.
 
If a member of the Greatest Generation - survivors of the Great Depression and World War II - can learn to use "MySeniorCenter," she said, it will be second nature for computer-savvy Baby Boomers - those born 1946 to 1964 - who are beginning to retire and investigating what senior centers have to offer.

"MySeniorCenter" is being brought on line this year at 10 senior centers - in East Hartford, Ellington, Enfield, Granby, Hartford, Hebron, Marlborough, Newington, and South Windsor - thanks to a $136,000 grant from the Hartford Foundation to the Connecticut Association of Senior Center Personnel.

The program allows seniors, using a keychain membership tag, to access a touch screen menu where they are greeted by name, receive messages, sign in for programs, and view future events - at all the participating centers.

For senior center staff, the system tracks program participation, enabling them to manage and evaluate the activities provided, while significantly reducing paperwork. The collected data also streamlines the compiling of reports to government agencies and to current and potential funders.

"The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive," said Dianne Stone, director of the Newington Senior and Disabled Center. "People use devices like this when they go to the grocery store or bank so this is familiar."

The Census Bureau says the United States has begun an increase in senior population that will see the percentage of citizens over 65 reach 20 percent of the population by 2030.

"‘MySeniorCenter' will help manage the influx at the centers," said KerryAnn Kielbasa, director of human services for the town of Granby. "The Baby Boomers are going to love it."

Members of the Greatest Generation already do. "We're so grateful it's here," says Mary Lou.