Senior Planet Montgomery Free Online Life Learning Classes for Seniors May 11-15 Will Include Food Delivery Apps, Creative Writing and Zoom Video Conferencing

For Immediate Release: Friday, May 8, 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 May 11-15 will focus on Food Delivery Apps, Creative Writing and Zoom video conferencing.

In addition to classes in English, two classes during May 11-15 will be delivered in Spanish. A variety of exercise classes also will be offered.

Since the first virtual Senior Planet Montgomery class was offered on March 23, more than 2,700 participants have joined programs. Future classes in May will feature topics such as streaming services, podcasts, online shopping, staying safe online, telemedicine and how to better understand online utility bills.

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. The County’s Department of Environmental Protection contributes to the program’s course offerings by producing 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 May 11-15 will include:

• How to Initiate a Zoom Meeting: Monday, May 11, 4-5 p.m. Program reviews the features of using a Zoom account: creating a meeting, sharing meeting details, inviting participants and adjusting meeting settings.
• Make Energy Cents: Tuesday, May 12, 2-3 p.m. Addresses ways to lower utility bills. The lecture will introduce the new County website, MontgomeryEnergyConnection.org. Participants will learn how to use the site for finding energy-saving programs, exploring energy-efficient technology and getting help understanding utility bills.
• Food Delivery Apps: Wednesday, May 13, 10-11 a.m. Lecture provides an overview of the most popular food delivery apps, such as Seamless. It will address the pros and cons of food delivery services, how to search for new restaurants and how to leave a tip and rating.
• All Things Zoom: Thursday, May 14, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Learn how to use Zoom video conferencing to chat with friends and family—and how to take virtual classes with Senior Planet.
• Creative Writing Workshop: Friday, May 15, 11 a.m.-noon. Workshop explores how to push past and use creative barriers to produce powerful works that can be made ready for submission to anthologies and literary journals.

Clases en Español:

• ¡Reunión en linea! (All Things Zoom): Martes, 12 de Mayo. 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 línea sobre medicamentos de prescripción (Online Rx Drug Resources): Miércoles 13 de Mayo. 2-3 p.m. Esta presentación le ofrecerá un resumen de los recursos en línea útiles sobre medicamentos. Aprenderá de MedlinePlus, un sitio de web reputable que le proveerá información sobre los usos y efectos secundarios de medicamentos de prescripción, incluyendo otras temas de salud. También aprenderá sobre Rx Outreach y GoodRX, herramientas útiles para entender precios de medicamentos, cómo comprar precios de farmacia, y encontrar descuentos y cupones.

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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MAY IS OLDER AMERICANS MONTH. Historically, Older Americans Month has been a time to acknowledge the contributions of past and current older persons, particularly those who defended our country.  During this month we want to shed a light on the importance of the 2020 Census. By having a full count of the number of older Americans living in in the U.S., our leaders in Montgomery County and at the Federal level can provide the services necessary to support their needs, such as:

• Medicare Part B
• Supportive housing for the elderly program
• Libraries and community centers
• Senior community service employment program

#2020Census; #EveryoneCountsMCMD

Release ID: 20-245
Media Contact: Neil H. Greenberger 240-205-1915