Bellone Helps Distribute Google Tablets to Senior Centers

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone helped distribute Google tablets Monday to seniors at the Rose Caracappa Senior Center in Mt. Sinai so they can stay connected to their communities.

More than 700 Google Nexus 7 tablets have been donated in Sandy-affected areas of Suffolk County, with 188 going to senior centers. 

Bellone said, “The donations of the Google tablets to senior centers within Suffolk County will assist seniors in becoming acquainted with emerging technology and provide a medium for them to combat senior isolation. I thank Governor Cuomo and Secretary of State Cesar Perales for coordinating the donation of tablets to senior centers throughout Suffolk County and for helping those areas affected and still recovering from Superstorm Sandy. ”

Google contributed about 17,000 tablets to the New York State Community Action Association, a 501c-3 not-for-profit that provides services and advocacy to improve the lives of people throughout New York. The state, with the help of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, helped distribute tablets to central locations in Sandy-affected areas. Suffolk County’s Office of the Aging will distribute tablets to senior centers throughout the county that have agreed to accept the donation.

Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine said, "I am thankful to the governor and the secretary of state for making these tablets available to Brookhaven residents. Access to the internet is vital, especially for seniors who can have so much information right at their fingertips and most importantly, it will help them keep in touch with their family and friends through email and social media. I'm sure they will put these tablets to very good use."

Older adults can become isolated for many reasons, including inability to drive or a loss of ability to take public transportation, visual impairments and other problems that affect their physical functioning, as well as from chronic conditions such as arthritis and diabetes that may affect their daily lives.