[image-caption title="The%20broadband%20subsidiary%20of%20Ohio%E2%80%99s%20South%20Central%20Power%20is%20working%20with%20Senior%20Planet%20from%20AARP%20to%20reach%20older%20members%20through%20free%20instruction%20on%20digital%20skills.%20(Photo%20Courtesy%3A%20connectSCP)%20" description="%20" image="%2Fnews%2FPublishingImages%2Fbbaarp.jpg" /]
Senior citizens in rural America aren’t always able to take advantage of the benefits of high-speed internet, like telehealth services or video chats with grandkids, but Ohio’s largest electric cooperative has teamed up with Senior Planet from AARP to change that.
Lancaster-based South Central Power with its fiber subsidiary connectSCP is one of the first electric co-ops to offer free digital skills classes through Senior Planet, a national nonprofit and charitable affiliate of AARP. The co-op’s broadband network currently stretches about 2,000 miles, passing nearly 16,000 homes.
Kayty Schooley, a connectSCP manager of customer service-fiber, teaches Senior Planet courses at public libraries and senior centers across the co-op’s 24-county service area. Topics range from how to spot scams and protect private information to virtual museum tours.
“In our very rural areas, we have a lot of our members who are older who might not understand the value of the fiber internet that we were building in their area,” said Schooley. “Senior Planet aligns well with the co-op model to help really reach more of our membership and offer quality curriculum to make them more confident in utilizing the internet.”
The confidence boost from the courses will lead older adults to make the most of the services offered by South Central Power and connectSCP, said Kristina Demery, director at Senior Planet.
“Electric cooperatives are uniquely member-focused and community-driven, which closely aligns with Senior Planet’s approach to education,” said Demery. “In rural areas, Senior Planet programming delivered through these cooperatives can help fill the gaps in digital literacy facing community members and older adults who may be hesitant about technology and have fewer opportunities to access in-person support.”
And if members need help beyond the courses, the co-op is there.
At connectSCP, “you can get somebody in your community to help you with some skills you need or questions you might want answered,” Schooley said. “We find value in getting in front of our communities, in front of our members. That differentiates us from competitors who you can’t even get on the phone.”
NRECA Broadband Director Cliff Johnson said co-ops should consider working with Senior Planet to increase their community outreach while staff gain expert training and support at no cost.
“Connecting seniors with high-speed internet is a cooperative mission,” said Johnson. “It opens up a new world that allows the members to age in place safely.”
