The lasting positive impact of the Australian Red Cross Tech Smart Seniors Program.

Three people sitting around a table with documents, a laptop, and boxes, in a room with bookshelf and decorated walls.

Case Study

Australian Red Cross logo with a red cross symbol and black text.

Australian Red Cross and YourLink teamed up to create the Tech Smart Seniors program, which aimed to help older adults in the Newcastle Hunter and Central Coast regions of NSW. The area had been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and floods, leaving many older adults feeling isolated and disconnected. The program was specifically designed to help these seniors, many of whom are in their mid-80s and live alone. The goal was to help them feel more connected and engaged with the world around them.

About the project

Clients received a loaned iPad, data, training, and personalised support from their digital coach. The program also included up to 12 months of technical support from YourLink, a one-on-one phone or online welcome session with a digital coach, and up to three online group training sessions delivered via Zoom.The training sessions were designed to be in a safe,fun, and relaxed learning environment, and clients had ongoing support from Red Cross staff and volunteers for up to two hours per week.

Lasting impact

“Life changing”

“I’m 84 and I know communication is there. I can send an email - I hear it whoosh away and know I'll get a reply. The iPad has opened up a whole new world. Helps me when I live alone. I ask Siri throughout the day how he is!”

Two elderly women sitting in a light-filled room, engaged with tablets on a table in front of them. One woman has gray hair, wears glasses, a black top, and is smiling. The other woman has white hair, a serious expression, and wears a dark jacket. Behind them are large windows with vertical blinds.
Three people sitting at a conference table in a room with a blue sofa, windows, and a large screen.

“I hadn’t actually seen my sister in 15 years, thanks to the iPad and training I can now video call her and will continue to on a regular basis.“

"I feel more connected with so many more people contacting me. It’s been the most significant change since joining the program."

Two people sitting at a table near a window, one woman in a red shirt and one man with a gray beard using a laptop, in a room with a TV and a framed picture on the wall.

The project was recognised as a Finalist in theinnovAGEING National Awards 2022.

Seal or badge with the text 'innovAGEING National Awards, REASING WELLNESS AND REABLMENT, FINALIST 2022' in white on a teal background, featuring a jagged edge border.

For those clients that are coming to the end of their 12 month of the program, the results speak for themselves.

100%

feel more connected

100%

would recommend
the program to family
and friends

100%

are more easily able
to access things they
enjoy online

100%

feel more independent
when using technology

Confidence: How would you rate your confidence since participating in the program? (1 being the lowest, 5 being the highest). *No one rated themselves 1

A donut chart displaying five segments with different percentages and colors. Segment 4, colored teal, represents 46.7%. Segment 3, red, shows 33.3%. Segment 2, blue, indicates 13.3%. Segment 5, purple, accounts for 7%. Segment 1, white, is not labeled with a percentage.

“The Tech Smart Seniors program is a great example of how technology can improve social connections, enhance wellbeing, and promote healthy ageing for older adults. The program combines digital coach training and client training and support to open a whole new world of possibilities for our clients, and it's been a huge success. We’re really proud of the impact the partnership with YourLink has made.”

– Michael Ryan, Regional Operations Manager, Central Coast/Hunter NSW.

Cover page of a case study publication titled 'Improving Wellbeing Through Technology and Support: The Lasting Positive Impact of the Tech Smart Seniors Program' by YourLink, featuring a photo of three smiling seniors seated at a table in a community room, with a red Australian Red Cross logo and copyright information at the bottom.

Download the case study for more information. For further information about this case study and program, please contact:

Richard Scenna
Founding Director
richard@yourlink.com.au
0408 742 743

Download Case Study