Julie Zabriskie, of Dowagiac, started her work with the Greater Niles Senior Center to conduct research for a master’s practicum. She said she hoped that by teaching seniors computer skills she could help them use patient portals in doctors’ offices and hospitals. Despite finishing her research, Zabriskie continued to teach seniors and now helps seniors to text, tweet and Skype their grandchildren. Now, seniors call her “computer lady.”

When she is not volunteering, Zabriskie teaches at the health information and technology program at Southwest Michigan College.

Describe how you help seniors use technology?

I help them use their iPads, iPhones and desktop computers. Many bring in their laptops. Many of them have issues using their smart phone, so a lot of time is spent teaching them how to use Twitter and Facebook and [how to] take pictures and send pictures.

They can set up a half-hour or hour-long appointment on Fridays and then can come in as many times as they want. I routinely have about seven or eight people that come in every week. They come in with a list of questions and they get those taken care of. Then they come home and practice those skills and then they come back wanting to know more advanced skills.

I had one person that knew how to turn their phone on, but that was all they knew how to do and now they are sending pictures back and forth to people.

How did you get involved?

I got involved [with volunteering] because I was working on my master’s practicum and my master’s practicum was the belief that more seniors would use a patient portal if they had better computer skills.

That is how it started was teaching them how to use a computer and now everybody that has taken the computer classes has signed up for patient portals.

Why did you decide to continue your work after you had finished your project?

I saw a lot of happy people there and a need to help them connect with their families and loved ones and friends. They were not able to do that before they took computer classes. It has enriched their lives. Their quality of life has improved dramatically.

What do you feel you get
out of your volunteer work?

I get to give back to my community.

Why would you
encourage others to volunteer?

I believe that we all [should] do what we can to make the community a good place.