Date: Fri 23-Apr-1999

Publication: Hea

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

elderly-health-care-Computer-U

Full Text:

HEALTH MONITOR: Seniors Learn On Computers At Wellness Center

BY ANDREW GOROSKO

SOUTHBURY -- Waterbury Hospital and Danbury Hospital are joining forces to

offer older adults computer-based information on health and wellness in a new

facility known as the Southbury Wellness and Computer U Learning Center.

Besides providing health and wellness information, the center at Southbury

Plaza offers area senior citizens computer instruction, according to Sheila

Hogan, a spokeswoman for Waterbury Hospital.

"We are still accepting registrations for Southbury area residents ... There's

no charge for the [wellness] program," Ms Hogan said. Residents can register

for the free wellness program by contacting the center at 262-6220.

Computer U is a private computer training school which charges for classes.

The wellness center is a joint effort for the two hospitals in a town that

lies between them. Danbury Hospital and Waterbury Hospital have proposed a

major medical center for a site in Southbury on the corner on Main Street

North and Old Waterbury Road. The application is pending.

Ms Hogan termed the center "an opportunity for the hospitals to begin working

together" before the medical center is built.

Computer U was the first component of the Southbury Wellness and Computer U

Learning Center to start operations. Computer instructor Teresa Roberts has

been working to develop wellness programs for the center.

The first wellness program to be offered is a walking club. It's designed for

older residents who want to set walking goals for themselves and chart their

progress on computers.

A relational database allows participants to record their walking exercise.

Running totals of walkers' sessions are kept on file displaying the amount of

calories burned based on the height, weight and gender of the participants.

The running totals can be compared to walkers' individual goals to chart their

progress. Computer access at the Southbury Wellness and Computer U Learning

Center also allows users to retrieve computerized information on illness

prevention, diseases and treatment. Consumer-oriented medical websites on the

Internet provide information on a broad range of medical topics including

arthritis, diabetes, heart conditions, blood cholesterol and hypertension,

among others.

Upcoming programs to be sponsored by the Southbury center will feature talks

by physicians from both hospitals "to bring health and wellness education to

residents of the Southbury area," Ms Hogan said.

The hospitals have been working with the Southbury Senior Center to learn what

types of wellness programs will be useful to area residents.

Laura Mariano, the manager of Danbury Hospital's Southbury Geriatric Center,

said that besides providing pamphlets and computerized information on health

topics, the center provides older people with referrals on where they can

receive help for medical problems.

The Southbury Senior Center in Southbury Town Hall will be the site for

upcoming seminars and lectures on health care topics sponsored by the two

hospitals, Ms Mariano said.

Computer U

Jack Smith heads the Southbury office of Computer U.

On a recent afternoon, Mr Smith provided computer instructions for Marjorie

and John Bell of Prospect. Mr Smith explained to the couple the importance of

providing specific information to a computer program to get specific answers

back. The Bells used an Internet-based computer program to help them plan air

travel. "The more you do it, the easier it becomes," Mr Smith told the Bells

of the repetition which makes working with a computer easier.

Computer U provides older residents with an introduction to computing, plus

courses on aspects of computing such as the Internet, e-mail, word processing,

graphics, financial management, spreadsheets and computer operating systems.

Participants learn how to use computers as well as how to buy them.

Of Computer U's role in providing computer instruction for the elderly, Mr

Smith said "The older folks don't have any place to turn to learn ... This is

convenient to the elderly."

The computer school is designed to serve a clientele that's 50 and over.

Students in Southbury have ranged from age 26 to 89. Since February

approximately 250 people have received computer training at Computer U, Mr

Smith said. The average age of students is about 70. More women than men have

taken the computer instruction. Computer U is a for-profit company which

charges fees for its courses. Computer U is a California-based firm which was

formed to own, operate and franchise a program of practical computer

instruction.