The nature of the role for a Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) agent allows much interaction with senior adults.  Understandably, many people in their sixties and above have not embraced technology even though much of the world around them is digital.  According to Pew Research, this same population spends more than half of their daily leisure time (just over 4 hours) on their TVs, computers, tablets or other electronic devices.  This research tells us senior adults have access to technology, but they don’t know how to use it.  In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, it became increasingly important to be able to work with clientele through the use of smart phones and computers.  In an effort to raise the number of FCS patrons joining Zoom webinars and participating in FCS programming, an organized approach was used to offer technology training on how to use Zoom on iPads, tablets, smart phones, and computers.  This individualized training was offered to all Lyon County Homemakers.   

Because of the individualized training, participants were able to demonstrate new skills and connect with others during a time when the state was being asked to stay healthy at home.  100% of the individuals who were trained were able to successfully join a Zoom call on their own after one on one advising. In addition, because of the better understanding of their technology of choice, each stated in a verbal evaluation that after having formulated this new skill they were more comfortable to explore technologies that could directly relate to their health such as phone apps that connect to glucometers or other health care equipment that can link wirelessly to their phones or tablets.  Due to the success of this type of instruction, the FCS agent will continue technology based education on an as needed basis.