CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — We are living in a tech world and older adults are learning to embrace it.
According to AARP, older Americans are about as likely as those under the age of 50 to own a smartphone, tablet or other device.
3NEWS found out that for those who are not yet comfortable with smart tech, there is local help available.
Jim Bob Sullivan was a missile technician in the Navy for years and is now interested in getting more comfortable with computers and other smart tech like phones and apps. He's taking courses offered at Del Mar College to familiarize himself with the new tools.
"They say it simplifies everything, well I think it makes my blood pressure go up," Sullivan said. "But I know now not to panic. Go back and hit recall or whatever, depending on what you're doing. If you mess up you can click over here and it takes you back where you don't have to start over."
According to Tech Editor for AARP Jim Lenahan, more and more older Americans are getting on board.
"You know you see it, pretty much everybody has a smart phone these days right? And you have to know how to use it or you'll just be left behind in today's modern society," Lenahan said. "So, we're finding that widespread usage among older people that what used to be called the 'digital divide' is really evaporating."
AARP's website offers lots of free online information on how to use health friendly smartwatch features, car technology to keep you safer on the road, how to safely pay and transfer money to friends and family with mobile apps and much more.
However, if you need some in-person help, Del Mar College is offering classes on learning the computer.
"Teaching seniors, every one of them is a different level, and that's what we try to do is get them to their level," instructor Dr. Dotson Lewis said. "Don't worry about it, don't just sit there and look at the computer, but wave your hand or something."
Lewis is teaching computer learning classes for veterans and anyone else interested in the course at Del Mar.
"It is fun and they're not going to get behind," he said. "And we teach a whole semester and a lot of hours that they can come in and a lot of people take the whole bunch more than once."
Sullivan said it is worth it for seniors to learn because it does help you in your everyday life.
"You're not going to be the proficient expert, you know, you can start navigating around a little bit," he said. "And then you have to start kind of experimenting on your own and it's been very helpful."
Lewis' next computer course starts Wednesday and you can show up to enroll.
You can also register beforehand online at delmar.edu or call (361) 698-1328.