Pa. retirees join new Facebook ‘senior’ class

November 22, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. (AP) — A few years ago, Sandra Jamison caved in and created an account on Facebook.

“I was talked into it,” Jamison laughed, noting that it was to help with networking for a Christian fellowship she worked for.

The only problem was, the senior citizen couldn’t immediately grasp how the Web site functioned.

“I didn’t know how to use it very well,” she admitted. “I had many questions, and I haven’t been able to get the results I wanted from it. I really didn’t know much about it.”

It wasn’t until six months ago that Jamison moved to Messiah Village in Mechanicsburg, less than 10 miles southwest of Harrisburg, and heard about a Facebook class provided by Pathways Institute for Lifelong Learning, which offers activities and classes to seniors over 60 years of age.

On a Thursday in late October, Jamison sat through the class, jotting notes and raising questions.

“It was explained well, and I have the handout to go back to when I need it,” Jamison said. “I didn’t even think to use it for family until now. It could be good for getting in touch with some of my extended family that I don’t see until Christmas.”

Family was something Jennifer Ebersole emphasized in the two-hour class.

Ebersole is a software developer with Computer Development Systems LLC, and maintains the Web site for the Golden Mouse Computer Club at Messiah Village. Her company is involved with Pathways, and Ebersole taught an introductory class about the social networking site.

“I think of it as a great networking tool for the older generation to get in touch with the younger generation — like their grandkids,” Ebersole said. “It’s harder for the older generation to stay in touch with their grandkids. Facebook is a tool to really keep in touch with them.”

And family is a factor as to why the Facebook class was one of the most popular classes offered by Pathways.

Over 40 people attended the class, where other classes draw around 20 people from Messiah Village and the surrounding area. It was an idea that seemed to pique a lot of interest among local senior citizens.

“I think older people are interested in learning new things when it has to do with computers,” said Susan Stauffer, Pathways director. “They’ve probably been influenced frequently by friends and family to join, especially when their family is living in another state or country. It’s a way to stay in touch.”

Lois Hanson from Messiah Village created her Facebook account this summer to keep in touch with the relatives on her side of the family, who are all in Massachusetts.

“I don’t expect to see them most of the time,” Hanson said. “But with Facebook, I get to talk to them on a day-to-day basis.”

Hanson was also able to keep in touch with friends, one of them being Aly Fenton, a senior at Messiah College about five miles south in Grantham. Fenton, an intern at Messiah Village, volunteered at the community last year and became close with Hanson.