CHIPS Stories
With the help of his CHIPS mentor, Mr. F has learned to pay his bills online, started online banking, and gets to talk to his family and share family photos daily.
Computers for Homebound & Isolated Persons (CHIPS)
CHIPS provides donated computers to seniors who are isolated by illness or by their role as a full-time caregiver of a homebound senior. The CHIPS program trains and equips homebound and isolated persons who are age 55 and older to use e-mail and the Internet to overcome social isolation, connect with people and resources, assert more control over their own lives, and contribute to their community.
Volunteers are recruited and trained to refurbish donated computers in the CHIPS lab, and install the equipment and to serve as mentors to help the participants learn to use and maintain the equipment. Participants learn how to use e-mail, search engines, and safely use the Internet. The use of e-mail is a great way to overcome loneliness by providing a point of contact with friends, family members, and neighbors.
Project LIVE staff members make a home visit to assess each applicant to determine eligibility and identify any special needs for using a computer. Senior Citizens Information & Referral Service takes all requests for CHIPS and gathers basic application information.
Number of people served
- 10 seniors received computers
Accomplishments/Achievements for the year
- Because of lack of space at the Knox County Health Department, the CHIPS lab was moved to the L. T. Ross Building.
- One volunteer was appointed as the lead person to head up the CHIPS lab and oversee the refurbishment of all donated computers, and another volunteer was established as the lead person to oversee installations.
- 3 seniors were matched with mentors.
- 10 seniors had their world broadened by making contact with the world through e-mail and Internet.
