Lavina Nagpal: Bridging the Tech Divide among Elderly with Personalized Digital Technology Learning

Modern society is completely dominated by tech-driven applications, products, and services. The constant innovations with cutting-edge technologies have created a digital divide between urban and rural, young generation and old generation, and many more. It is high time to bridge the gap with the necessary techniques and improvements. The older generation needs tech education to be independent in this fast-paced life. Although they are highly intelligent, they need proper assistance to adopt the tech-driven culture. 

The BoomerEm Inc. is a female-founded, minority-owned, 501(c)3 IRS tax-exempt non-profit organization. It supports programs that are diverse, inclusive, and align with core values such as aspire, inspire, and empower. The organization is focused on providing a connected and inclusive digital social experience to the needed ones who wish to operate smart devices. It enables individuals to connect, learn, as well as grow, based on their tech readiness, learning style, and openness. There are multiple sessions as a combination of basic, intermediate, and advanced levels of digital technology. There is also an opportunity to book a personalized technology coaching session with a tech expert with a 30-minute complimentary Zoom session. 

A Passionate Educator Spearheading Digital Learning

Lavina Nagpal is a qualified computer science engineer and applied data analytics specialist from Columbia University in the City of New York. Prior to this, she worked at the United Nations Headquarters. Lavina is the Founder, President, and CEO of The BoomerEm. It is a non-profit organization, and its mission is to bridge the global digital divide by empowering boomers (50 years old and above) to have a more connected and inclusive digital social experience through capacity building and education.

The Digital Literacy Backbone of the Elderly 

Lavina is a social entrepreneur and digital technology innovation researcher. She developed a high-fidelity minimum viable product (MVP) and conducted interactive survey sessions online via Zoom with boomers across the globe. Analytical Insights derived from data and trends, helped her develop a unique model of digital technology learning preferences of the elderly based on their openness, readiness, and learning styles. 

Mitigating the Global Tech Divide

Currently, it is a world of exponentially changing technology. Never in the history of mankind have so many such advancements emerged in parallel and combination, carrying so much impact. People can digitally access essential services such as healthcare, online banking, and e-commerce all at the click of a few buttons. Staying connected virtually is proving vital for emotional and mental health. While most have adapted to the new lifestyle, it must come as no surprise that these benefits remain limited to a section of the population. Lavina's technology-based philanthropic social venture aims to bridge the global digital divide.

'Easy Transition to e-lifestyle' at the Heart of Innovation

The prevailing global digital divide attributes to social isolation, loneliness, boredom, increased dependency, and helplessness. Program Activities offered by The BoomerEm allow individuals to connect, learn, and grow based on their tech readiness, openness, and learning style. Lavina and her team offer an easy transition to e-lifestyle. These activities empower boomers to gain confidence, become independent, feel safer, and connect with others globally. As the team co-creates the future, applied data analytics is at the heart of every industry. It's transforming the way to see, hear, and touch. The BoomerEm aspires for a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable future for all through digital technology.

Bestowing Tailored Community Programs 

The qualitative and quantitative insights gathered through Lavina's digital technology Innovation research have been used to tailor community programs to best match the preferences and needs of the elderly.

Overcoming the Tech Evolution Challenges 

Often the product and services developed by the technological giants do not cater to the needs and preferences of this section of the population including older adults, seniors, and the disabled. This is a frequent challenge Lavina faces throughout her motive. It adds technical constraints to the learning model developed.

Addressing the Tech Gap among People with Disabilities 

Lavina and her organization are working closely with philanthropic networks and serving older adults, seniors, and people with disability to empower them through technology and bridge the global digital divide.