Our modern lives are depending more and more on the digital world for things like access to healthcare, banking, job opportunities, and even just staying informed. But older adults often face significant challenges when it comes to digital access, which can stem from technological inexperience, limited access to devices, and/or poor internet connectivity. This means that older adults often cannot access essential services like healthcare—not to mention social opportunities and maintaining connections with family and friends—without adequate support.
This is where Digital Navigators have a role to play. The Ageless Access Principal Digital Navigation (AA-DN) initiative, a collaborative effort between the Center for Digital Equity at Queens University of Charlotte and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), Division of Aging, trains and empowers Digital Navigators to help older adults successfully navigate the digital world.
Organizations across the state are partnering with these Principal Digital Navigators to offer essential support to aging adults, one community at a time. Here we answer some common questions about Digital Navigators and the Ageless Access program, as well as how your program can leverage the expertise of Digital Navigators to enhance the lives of older adults.
Jump to
- What is the Ageless Access Digital Navigation Initiative?
- The Role of a Digital Navigator
- How Your Organization Can Benefit
- How Your Organization Can Get Involved
- Moving Towards a Vision of Digital Equity for Older Adults
What is the Ageless Access Digital Navigation Initiative?
The Ageless Access Principal Digital Navigation initiative is designed to improve digital health literacy and promote digital inclusion for older adults. This initiative helps aging adults access healthcare, social services, and stay connected with their community by addressing barriers such as technological inexperience and lack of access to devices or reliable internet. At the heart of the initiative is the Ageless Access Digital Navigation Toolkit, a comprehensive resource designed to train Principal Digital Navigators who guide older adults through the digital world.
The toolkit offers a structured curriculum, best practices, and innovative strategies that help Principal Digital Navigators teach aging adults essential digital skills. By partnering with Digital Navigators, your organization can play an active role in bridging the digital divide and ensuring older adults have the support they need to thrive.
The Role of a Digital Navigator
A Digital Navigator is someone who works directly with populations and communities to guide them through the process of using technology. This could include helping individuals:
- Set up and use digital devices like smartphones, tablets, and computers.
- Learn how to navigate healthcare portals and access telemedicine services.
- Understand and use online resources to stay connected with family and friends.
- Overcome digital barriers, such a lack of internet access or digital literacy challenges.
Digital Navigators, community organizations, and local agencies work together to create programs tailored to the needs of different communities, fostering community-driven solutions for greater impact.
Some Digital Navigators receive additional training through the Ageless Access Digital Navigation Toolkit, which equips them with the strategies, materials, and knowledge necessary to guide aging adults effectively. The toolkit helps them create a meaningful and personalized learning experience for older adults, fostering greater confidence and independence when it comes to using technology.
How Your Organization Can Benefit
By integrating Digital Navigators into your program(s), you can provide aging adults with the personalized support they need to become confident and competent in using technology. Here are some of the key benefits of offering digital equity programs supported by Principal Digital Navigators:
- Enhanced Digital Literacy: With the support of Digital Navigators, older adults gain the skills to use smartphones, computers, and other digital devices for everyday tasks, such as communicating with family, accessing healthcare and transportation services, and engaging in lifelong learning.
- Removing Barriers to Access: Many older adults face barriers to digital access, including a lack of devices or internet connectivity. Digital Navigators help identify and address these gaps, ensuring older adults can access the resources they need.
- Improved Access to Health and Social Services: Digital Navigators help older adults learn to use online healthcare portals, telehealth services, and other digital resources that improve their ability to manage their health and wellness.
- Increased Community Engagement: By offering digital training and support, your organization can help older adults stay socially connected, reducing isolation and fostering a sense of community.
How Your Organization Can Get Involved
If your organization serves older adults and is looking to enhance its services, partnering with a Principal Digital Navigator can be a game-changer. Principal Digital Navigators can help you provide older adults with the training and support they need to better manage their health, stay connected, and access essential services.
Here’s how your organization can get involved:
Connect with a Principal Digital Navigator
If you have already been contacted by a Principal Digital Navigator, this step should be easy! Come to the conversation with details of your existing programs, as well as your goals and aims, and any questions you might have.
If you have not yet been in touch with a Digital Navigator, you can find one below. Different Digital Navigators serve different regions of the state, so we recommend contacting the Navigator in your area:
Meet the Ageless Access Principal Digital Navigator in your region:
| Region F | Austin Caton | Centralina Regional Council | acaton@centralina.org | 704-348-2708 |
| Region B/C | Jenna Sharrits | Land of Sky Regional Council/ Foothills Regional Commission | jenna@landofsky.org | 828-337-9264 |
| Region D/E | Fred Wilson | High Country Council of Governments/ Western Piedmont Council of Governments | FWilson@Hccog.org | 828-265-5434 |
| Region R | Bradley Yates | Albemarle Commission | Byates@accog.org | 252-404-7087 |
| Region A | Tori Treadway | Southwestern Commission | tori@regiona.org | 828-342-0736 |
| Region Q | Lucas Heller | Mid-East Commission | heller@mideastcom.org | 252-833-2206 |
| Region G | Turkesshia Moore | Piedmont Triad Regional Council | mooret5@queens.edu | 7043372516 |
| Region J/M | Stephanie Corona | Central Pines Regional Council/Mid-Carolina Regional Council | coronas@queens.edu | 704 337-2208 |
| Region P | Cynthia Livingston | Eastern Carolina Council of Governments | clivingston@eccog.org | 252-671-7553 |
| Region N/O | Anne Banks | Lumber River Council of Governments/Cape Fear Council of Governments | banksa4@queens.edu | 7046882739 |
| Region K/L | Sarah Godfrey | Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments/ Upper Costal Plains Council of Governments Region | digitalnavigator@kerrtarcog.org | 828-412-2283 |
Leverage the Toolkit Provided
Together with the Principal Digital Navigator, put a plan in place using the Ageless Access Digital Navigation Toolkit. The toolkit represents best practices for digital programs with aging adults.
The toolkit also has a number of resources which you can access or use while building and running your program in partnership with the Principal Digital Navigator. In short, you do not have to create a program from scratch, and you will always have a guide for the process.
Moving Towards a Vision of Digital Equity for Older Adults
The Ageless Access Principal Digital Navigation initiative is not just about providing digital skills—it’s about fostering a more digitally inclusive community where older adults are empowered to manage their health, access services, and stay engaged in society. By working with Principal Digital Navigators, your organization can make a lasting impact, helping older adults navigate the digital world with confidence and independence.
If you’re interested in learning more about how your organization can benefit from working with Principal Digital Navigators and integrating the Ageless Access Digital Navigation Toolkit, please contact your region’s Principal Digital Navigator (see above).
