Recognizing the need to inform and keep the elderly well connected to the modern world, SM City San Jose del Monte recently conducted a tech seminar for the senior citizens last August 21.

In this day and age of technology and social media, it is one of SM’s goals to empower and extend its assistance to the senior citizen member of the communities it serves. Dubbed as ‘Oldies but Techies’, the event is a technology refresher program, which is implemented in all SM Supermalls nationwide, aims to upgrade the skills and knowledge of senior citizens on basic computer operations and internet surfing.

For the senior citizens to maximize the opportunity that the technology is offering, SM City San Jose del Monte partnered with MemoXpress, Techplus, Appstore, Treasure Box and Vanguard in teaching how to troubleshoot simple problems they may encounter with their smartphones and tablets. Also, basic tutorials on how to use different social media apps like Facebook Messenger with or without load balance or surfing subscription.

Aside from the tutorials conducted, the seniors also enjoyed different games that introduced them to different fun applications like ‘Face Dance App’, an augmented reality game using smart phone camera technology to map faces. The participating senior citizens mimic the floating emojis on screen of their smartphones to score.

‘Oldies but Techies’ is just one of the many programs of SM Cares for elderly care every quarter of the year. These activities at the mall would focus on various themes. Among them are the “Seniors Movement” where health and exercise activities like the Mall Walking Habit will be advanced; the “Seniors’ Forum,” which will educate senior citizens about their benefits and privileges under the Expanded Senior Citizens Act; the “Oldietorium” where they get to share their personal stories with the youth through showcasing vintage possessions; and the “Elderpreneurship and Livelihood” activities, which could help get them started with small business opportunities.

Moreover, aside from the activities inside the mall, SM City San Jose del Monte will also honor the elderly through “Serve More Love for the Elderly”, a project under ‘Employee Volunteerism Program’ through Human Resources Department, which encourages SM employees to give back and to pay respect to the elderly while raising awareness on greater care for the well-being of older people, on September 01 at the Coalition of Services of the Elderly, Inc. in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.