08/18/2026
Did you see the recent article about seniors struggling with digital tasks?
Many older adults in our community are facing the same challenges — online forms, medical portals, banking apps, government services, and everyday technology.
At EmpowerED, our Wired Wisdom program is here to help older adults cross the digital barrier with confidence.
We offer one‑on‑one support, patient guidance, and a relaxed, judgment‑free space to learn at their own pace.
If you or someone you know needs help with phones, tablets, computers, online services, or digital safety, come visit us.
We’re here to make technology feel easier —
together.
https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=122195705714382391&id=61561471741470&post_id=61561471741470_122195705714382391&rdid=hic2FB4VkB9nGw2c #
Left in the Dark: How the "Digital Divide" is Putting B.C.'s Seniors at Risk During Wildfires 🚨
When the Bald Range wildfire rapidly approached Summerland, B.C., 87-year-old Helen Benallick and her husband were fast asleep. Like many in their community, they had missed the urgent evacuation orders blasted out to cellphones overnight because of one simple, terrifying reason: “We don't even have a phone".
If it weren't for a neighbor urgently ringing their doorbell, the couple admits they would have “slept right through it”.
As wildfires continue to rage across B.C., the rapid evacuation of Summerland—a community where about 32% of the population is 65 and older—has exposed a serious gap in our emergency alert systems. B.C.'s seniors advocate, Dan Levitt, points to "digital inequity," warning that relying solely on smartphone alerts leaves those who cannot afford or operate digital devices incredibly vulnerable.
But it's not just the technology gap. Aging evacuees are facing compounding unique challenges:
Air Quality Hazards: Evacuees with chronic conditions like COPD are suffering severe physical distress from the thick smoke blanketing areas like Penticton.
Mobility & Health: The aging population faces barriers regarding mobility, regulating body temperatures in extreme heat, and dealing with the severe disorientation that abrupt displacement causes, particularly for those with cognitive impairments.
Social Isolation: Disconnected seniors are harder for emergency personnel to locate and assist during chaotic evacuations.
The takeaway? We cannot rely solely on automated digital alerts to protect our most vulnerable. Technology saves lives, but so does community. Check on your neighbors, especially the elderly, those living alone, and those with hearing or mobility challenges. A simple knock on the door might be the alert that saves a life.
How can we improve our emergency systems to ensure no one is left behind? Share your thoughts below! 👇
