If you call the Senior Planet Hotline (888-713-3495), you may end up speaking with Nita Flores. Nita is a Brooklyn resident and sci-fi aficionado, who brings a passion for helping older adults embrace new technology with patience to her work on the hotline.

What are your favorite parts of working on the hotline?

I enjoy that I get to talk to people who want to learn new skills and create community for themselves. I enjoy watching the progress that our participants show and the more we speak to them, the more we see that progress in their growth with technology. It gives you a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.

When I started on the hotline, there was one participant in particular who had such a hard time with their smartphone, but the more calls they made to the hotline asking for our help, the more I started to see how this participant has become more and more comfortable using their smartphone different features. Every time I get this participant’s call; I absolutely feel joy because I know I am about to see how much knowledge and growth they are gaining.

Have any favorite pieces of advice when it comes to learning new tech?

“Take your time and give yourself grace” is the best advice I can offer anyone. When learning something new, especially technology, it’s important to give oneself time to learn, to ask questions, and give yourself some grace during the learning process. Don’t be hard on yourself if you are not learning it fast. We all learn at our own pace.

Technology is always moving forward and rapidly changing, so it’s important to make sure that you don’t get down on yourself about not always knowing the latest updates on technology. Give yourself time to get there and you will.

What are some of your passions outside of work?

I have a podcast called Sci-Fi Queens, where we do sci-fi book reviews, we promote other sci-fi podcasts, we elevate woman in real world science and talk about all types of sci-fi. I also enjoy reading, practice in Muay Thai Martial arts, and enjoy keeping busy.

What does “aging with attitude” mean to you?

I think for me personally, it’s about doing the things you love and want to do without concerning yourself with one’s own age and never letting one’s age define what we can do or start learning.  

Pam Hugi is Senior Planet’s Community and Advocacy Manager. Based in Brooklyn, she is a contributing writer for this site.