What’s New at RiverWoods

RiverWoods Residents Become Computer Savvy

November 27, 2006

Dick Stover, a resident at RiverWoods Senior Living Community, has been conducting Continuing Education Computer Classes in RiverWoods’ on-site school house since October.  Mr. Stover has also assisted in teaching classes for the past five years.  Four topics are currently offered: Computers Don’t Bite, Everything on E-mail, Navigating the Internet, and Digital Photography for Beginners; there is a tuition cost for all classes. 

The demand for such classes stemmed from the residents’ need to keep in touch with their family members via e-mail.  To accomplish that task, however, basic computer knowledge would have to be taught as well since some of the residents were not familiar with how to operate a computer. 

“The need for these types of courses is threefold,” said Wes Leidig, RiverWoods Executive Director.  “They allow residents to get out of their homes and interact with other people that have the same interests as they do; learn how to utilize the Internet to keep in touch relatives and friends; and gain the knowledge they need to keep up with the vast technology world.”

The classes are taught in sessions, depending how complex or simple the subject matter is, and are pre-scheduled.  Attendees must also pre-pay and register for the topic of their choice.  Class sizes are limited to eight people per session, but they average about five or six people, depending on the class.

Dick Stover has been working with computers since the 1960’s and was employed as an electrical engineer before he retired.  He’s been conducting computer training for about ten years now and enjoys working with the other residents.

“My most popular classes are the e-mail and Internet classes,” Dick stated.  “Most of the residents are interested in learning how easy it is to keep in touch with their family members by e-mail.”

RiverWoods is planning to start a Computer Club in January that will meet in addition to the computer classes.  The Club will be for anyone who would like to expand their technological knowledge or need any kind of general computer help.  Even though session topics have not yet been scheduled, the hope is to gather suggestions on topics the residents or community would like to learn about and to have guest speakers come in to share their knowledge.  More information will be provided in the near future.

For more information on Continuing Education courses at RiverWoods Senior Living Community, please call (570) 524-2271.