The San Antonio Department of Human Services, The University of Texas at San Antonio and AARP’s Older Adults Technology Services are partnering to shrink technology and nutrition gaps among local older adults.

The background

According to a news release, UTSA’s nutrition and dietetics program is leading the $1.18 million federally funded three-year initiative designed to provide local older adults with comprehensive technology resources and nutrition support.

The program will provide tablets, internet access, tech support and a five-week technology training course at the city’s 11 comprehensive senior centers.

Following the technology course, the UTSA team administers a 15-week digital nutrition intervention developed specifically for older adults, the release states.

Dig deeper

Recently, the program celebrated the graduation of its first group, consisting of 160 older adults. The second group is already underway with activities planned through April 2024.

City Human Services Director Melody Woosley said the NIH grant addresses older adults’ challenges to access health care, which was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This technology and nutrition program with UTSA and OATS, thanks to the NIH grant, is a tremendous benefit to our older adult population, especially as we recover from the pandemic,” Woosley said in a statement.

Get involved

To be eligible to attend a senior center and participate in programs and services, individuals must be a resident of Bexar County and be age 60 or older. For more information, call 210-207-7172.