Senior Planet Montgomery Offering Free Online Life Learning Classes for Seniors April 13-17

For Immediate Release: Monday, April 13, 2020

Senior Planet Montgomery, a technology training program designed for County learners 60 and older, is offering free online classes that focus on how to thrive at home. Classes, which are offered live via video conference, enhance a wide variety of life skills. Classes April 13-17 will feature Zoom video conferencing, mindfulness apps, online shopping and sharing local resources and tips with other Montgomery residents.

In addition to classes in English, three classes next week will be delivered in Spanish. A variety of exercise classes also will be offered.

The program is supported by the County’s Department of Technology Services’ ultraMontgomery program in partnership with nonprofit OATS (Older Adults Technology Services). The County’s Department of Recreation and Montgomery County Public Libraries also are partners in helping provide the classes at no charge to participants.

Sessions concentrate on user-friendly tools and resources and are designed to enable older adults to learn to utilize technologies to improve their daily lives. Senior Planet Montgomery utilizes curriculum created by OATS, which also provides training staff and works with numerous County departments to identify topics of interest for Montgomery residents. OATS sponsors similar Senior Planet programming in six states. Senior Planet Montgomery also is supported by the County’s Department of Environmental Protection to produce sessions on how to lower energy costs.

Classes change on a weekly basis. A home internet connection and a device (such as a smartphone, tablet or computer) is all that is required to participate.

Classes to be offered April 13-17 will include:

• Online Shopping: Tuesday, April 14. 1-2 p.m. Lecture will provide a general introduction to shopping online and will demonstrate using Amazon Fresh and Instacart for grocery delivery.
• Good Morning Montgomery County: Wednesday, April 15. 10-11 a.m. Join other County residents for a morning hour spent over a second cup of coffee to share locally relevant tips and resources.
• Mindfulness Apps: Wednesday, April 15. 1-2 p.m. Lecture introduces mindfulness and its physical and mental benefits, such as reducing anxiety, improving memory and lowering blood pressure.
• All Things Zoom: Thursday, April 16. 1-2 p.m. Learn how to use Zoom video conferencing to chat with friends and family—and how to take virtual classes with Senior Planet.
• How to Initiate a Zoom Meeting: Friday, April 17. 10 a.m.-noon. Program will go over the features of having and using a Zoom account: how to create an account, create a meeting, share meeting details and invite participants and adjust meeting settings.

Clases en Español:

• ¡Reunión en linea! (All Things Zoom): Martes, 14 de abril. 11 a.m.-noon. Y jueves, 16 de abril. 11 a.m.-noon. Únase a este programa en línea y reúnase con otros participantes de Senior Planet para aprender el arte de "conectarse" utilizando la tecnología. Utilizaremos un software de videoconferencia conocido como "Zoom". ¡Zoom se puede usar para chatear con amigos y familiares, y tomar clases virtuales con Senior Planet!
• Recursos de Salud en Línea (Online Health Resources): Viernes 17 de abril. 11 a.m.-noon. Esta presentación le enseñará sobre los temas y herramientas ofrecidos por dos sitios: MedlinePlus y Mayo Clinic. También aprenderá cómo evaluar información del internet relacionado a la salud.

For more information about Senior Planet Montgomery and to view its virtual program offerings, visit https://seniorplanet.org/Montgomery. The team can be contacted at 240-753-0676 or via email at mocoinfo@seniorplanet.org.

To sign up for the Senior Planet Montgomery newsletter, which includes detailed information about upcoming classes, go to https://seniorplanet.org/get-involved/newsletters/.

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Release ID: 20-187
Media Contact: Neil H. Greenberger 240-205-1915