AUGUST 8, 2023 — More than 160 seniors ages 60 and up will graduate this week from a unique local program that’s helped them get familiar with technology.
Sarah Ullevig, an associate professor in the UTSA Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, led a program to increase access to and understanding of technology among San Antonio’s older adult population. Working alongside the City of San Antonio’s Department of Human Services and Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) by AARP, Ullevig and her team provided tablets, Internet access, tech support and a five-week technology training course at senior centers across San Antonio.
Following the technology course, the UTSA team administered a 15-week digital nutrition intervention that they developed specifically for seniors. This nutrition course was entirely online, starting in April 2023 and ending in August.
More than 160 seniors graduated from the Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) program this week.
The first cohort of older adults in the digital nutrition program will graduate this week, in a series of ceremonies across San Antonio senior centers. The ceremonies will be held in both English and Spanish.
“The program focuses on access to technology and nutrition, but a significant strength is the support of socio-emotional needs,” said Ullevig. “By teaching older adults about technology and nutrition, we are providing a new way for them to use technology to improve their health while providing a platform to socialize with their peers and connect them to the online world.”
Graduates of the digital nutrition program proudly show off their certificates during the ceremony.
The program was funded by a three-year, $1.18 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to address older adults’ challenges to access health care, which was exacerbated by the pandemic. The NIH funded the distribution of tablets, a five-week technology training course, and the 15-week online nutrition intervention for older adults at 12 senior centers across the city.
Ullevig’s co-investigators include Erica Sosa, associate dean for research and associate professor in HCAP’s Department of Public Health; public health professors Meizi He and Zenong Yin; and Tianou Zhang, assistant professor in the College for Health, Community and Policy.
This project is supported by the National Institute of Nursing Research of the National Institutes of Health under award number: R01NR020303. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
UTSA Today is produced by University Communications and Marketing, the official news source of The University of Texas at San Antonio. Send your feedback to news@utsa.edu. Keep up-to-date on UTSA news by visiting UTSA Today. Connect with UTSA online at Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram.
At this memorable celebration, UTSA graduates will be introduced one-by-one to cross the stage and accept their doctoral degrees.
Arts Building Recital Hall, Main CampusRoadrunner Walk is an event for graduating students to have a memorable walk on campus to celebrate an important milestone and their achievements. Graduates will walk along the Paseo while being celebrated by the UTSA community, friends, and family members.
Student Union Paseo, Main CampusJoin us for a tribute to Willie Velásquez, honoring the legacy of Willie Velásquez, a pivotal figure in shaping the history of Latino and Hispanic participation in the American voting process. Delve into his life and contributions as a champion of Latino voting rights. Moderated by UTSA's Teresa Niño, the event will feature influential voices, including Jane Velásquez, María Antonietta Berriozábal, Dora Oliva, and Anthony Gonzales.
Buena Vista Building, Gregory Luna Room, Downtown CampusCelebrate the accomplishments of College of Education and Human Development, College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Sciences and University College.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.Celebrate the accomplishments of Alvarez College of Business, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.The University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.
To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.
We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.
UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education .
The University of Texas at San Antonio, a Hispanic Serving Institution situated in a global city that has been a crossroads of peoples and cultures for centuries, values diversity and inclusion in all aspects of university life. As an institution expressly founded to advance the education of Mexican Americans and other underserved communities, our university is committed to promoting access for all. UTSA, a premier public research university, fosters academic excellence through a community of dialogue, discovery and innovation that embraces the uniqueness of each voice.