SM Enables Seniors in the Digital Age through #SeniorDigizen Campaign

The half-day program ensured the presence of our dedicated staff in assisting a senior citizen with tech questions, ensuring everyone wouldn’t feel discouraged from learning. 

In order to create a secure and welcoming online community for senior citizens, the SM Group, through SM Development Corporation (SMDC), recently partnered with Globe to implement the #SeniorDigizen program in its residential properties.  By giving senior citizens the skills and information they need to safely navigate the internet, the program supports SMDC's mission to safeguard locals and foster a strong sense of community.

Free, customized learning sessions on subjects like cybersecurity, fintech apps like GCash, and telehealth services like KonsultaMD are available through the #SeniorDigizen. The elderly residents of Quezon City's Grass Residences, who are frequently the targets of internet scams, benefited from the pilot program. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) reports that digital fraud frequently targets senior citizens, with losses of about PHP 155 million in 2023.

“The SeniorDigizen program is part of our ongoing commitment to empowering our senior residents with the tools and knowledge they need to confidently navigate the digital world. Our goal is to create an immediate impact within these communities, and as we continue to grow the initiative, we plan to reach out to our neighboring communities by hosting similar events for them.” ~Jessica Bianca ‘Jica’ T. Sy, Vice President and Head of Design, Innovation, and Strategy of SM Prime and SMDC

Because of its sizable senior population, Grass Residences was selected as the pilot site. The program was a welcome opportunity for residents like 76-year-old participant Connie Cailles. One Grass Residences resident, Ms. Cailles, recalled how thrilled she was to see the program in one of the notices in the elevator of their building. After finishing the lessons, she mentioned how beneficial the program and staff were in helping her and other seniors, as opposed to family members who occasionally lost patience when trying to teach her how to use her phone's features and necessary apps. 

“Okay po na nakatutok sila sa amin. Lalo na kasi pasensyoso’t pasensyosa sila. Kasi usually kapag mga kamag-anak ko—mga alam mo na—parang naoobligado sila. Kapag sa mga ganitong programa, pakiramdam ko naii-spoil tuloy kami.” ~Connie Cailles, a 76-year-old Participant

(It’s nice that the staff are patient with us seniors. Usually, when it’s my relatives—you know how it is—they feel obligated. But in programs like this, it feels like we’re being spoiled.)

In order to create an atmosphere where seniors could learn without worrying about criticism or discouragement, the half-day program made sure that every participant received practical help. By inviting more people from other communities to participate, SMDC intends to grow the initiative.

“This activity had the highest attendance of seniors here at Grass. Although some are still adjusting, I see them really trying. Thanks to SMDC and Globe, I think more attendees will join after this.” ~Elbert Mozo, Treasurer of the Grass Residences Board of Trustees

The senior community at SMDC’s Grass Residences in Quezon City eagerly participates during their Senior Digizen Learning Session. 

SM’s support to the senior citizen community 

The SM group has taken the lead in projects that help and encourage its senior citizen community. The organization supports community and environmental initiatives through SM Cares, a division of SM Foundation and the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls. 

Among its initiatives is the Emergency Preparedness Forum for Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), an annual forum that provides emergency preparedness skills to vulnerable groups, including the elderly and PWDs, to help them protect themselves and their loved ones. More than 7,417 people have been successfully trained by the program since it began in 2015.  

In addition, the Walk for Life parade is an event to honor seniors during the celebration of Elderly Filipino Week.

Seniors also benefit from the health and wellness centers, which is in keeping with the SM Foundation's goal of making targeted social investments in livelihood, healthcare, and education to help underprivileged Filipinos improve their lives. 

About SM Investments Corporation

SM Investments Corporation is one of the leading Philippine companies that is invested in market-leading businesses in retail, banking, and property. It also invests in ventures that capture high growth opportunities in the emerging Philippine economy.

SM’s retail operations are the country’s largest and most diversified, consisting of grocery stores, department stores and specialty retail stores. SM’s property arm, SM Prime Holdings, Inc., is the largest integrated property developer in the Philippines with interests in malls, residences, offices, hotels, and convention centers as well as tourism-related property developments. SM’s interests in banking are in BDO Unibank, Inc., the country’s largest bank, and China Banking Corporation, the fourth largest private domestic bank.

For more information, please visit www.sminvestments.com

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