MatureWell Lifestyle Center’s Tech Hacks for Seniors
Article by | Sara McClaran
Images From | iStock and MatureWell Lifestyle Center
St. Joseph MatureWell Lifestyle Center and retired computer engineer Bruce Burnett teaches technology to fellow seniors.
Seniors across the world struggle with the technological advances of the past 20+ years, but those in the Brazos Valley have a unique opportunity to learn under the tutelage of someone who understands the world they grew up in – retired computer engineer Bruce Burnett.
Through the St. Joseph MatureWell Lifestyle Club, seniors can learn and discover what technology can do with the Lifestyle Club’s newly rebranded class Tech Hack. Tech Hack is about more than just computers. It focuses on applications that can help seniors simplify their everyday lives, teaching them how to use applications and devices many have little experience with.
Senior advocate and head of the Lifestyle Club Michelle Buenger emphasized the difficulty of the task that Burnett has taken on. “If you’re talking about anybody from their 50’s to 100, you have varying levels of technological understanding and education. [So] what Bruce takes on is pretty tough,” Buenger said, “He’s trying to educate varying levels of technological skill.”
Example Class Topics:
Ordering Groceries Online
Shutterfly
Computer Backups
Computer Updates
Amazon Prime
Smartphone Photography
Despite this, Burnett loves his work, especially when people ask him questions he doesn’t immediately know how to answer. “Technology is moving so fast and sometimes even too fast for me, so to have the opportunity to research topics – it’s very enjoyable for me,” Burnett said, “I really enjoy teaching the classes because it gives me the opportunity to do research on a variety of topics and help educate folks about how to use this technology.”
Burnett witnessed and took part in the development of computer-based technology throughout his years working for high tech in Austin and believes it is important to share his knowledge with people who haven’t had the exposure to technology that the younger generations have enjoyed. He is a volunteer and has been working with MatureWell since 2019 showing seniors how technology can simplify their lives.
“Coming from a technology background, sometimes you don’t realize that there are people who are really frightened by technology,” Burnett said, “you just don’t realize that some folks have really never been around technology.” The learning doesn’t stop with the monthly class. Burnett and Buenger also help refer Seniors to other resources or websites if they want more information.
Additionally there is a Tech Hack section in the semi-weekly MatureWell newsletter where readers can submit questions that Burnett will answer. Tech Hack, as well as the MatureWell Lifestyle Center as a whole, has been put on hold for COVID-19 – but there are plans to reopen with live classes once again.
“We’ve had some requests to help people understand how to download applications to smartphones, iPads, and so on,” Burnett said, “because there’s millions of applications out there and for
some folks who really aren’t familiar with this technology, it’s a little overwhelming. So that’s gonna be the focus of our first class in the fall.”
“I think it is important to share this knowledge to help simplify the lives of those who have not been exposed to the technology we have today.” – Bruce Burnett, Computer Engineer & Instructor at St. Joseph MatureWell Lifestyle Club
Information about the class, as well as other events MatureWell offers, can be found at the St. Joseph MatureWell Lifestyle Center near the Stella Hotel in Bryan or by calling 979.731.6126!
3989 N. Shore Dr. 
Bryan, TX 77807
979.731.6126
stjoseph.stlukeshealth.org