Senior Planet Montgomery Free Online Life Learning Classes for Seniors May 18-22 Will Include Telemedicine, Online Bill Paying and Podcasts

For Immediate Release: Friday, May 15, 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 18-22 will focus on Telemedicine, Online Bill Pay and Podcasts.

In addition to classes in English, three classes during May 18-22 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 2,900 participants have joined programs. Future classes in May will feature topics such as lighting and smart bulbs, online shopping, protecting personal information and the “Internet of Things.”

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 curricula 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) are all that is required to participate.

Classes to be offered May 18-22 will include:

• Streaming and Smart TVs: Monday, May 18, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Presentation will give an introduction to streaming: what it is, how to use it and the variety of content available. It also will address how to watch live TV without cable and how smart TVs and streaming devices allow users to watch videos from the Internet on their television.
• All Things Zoom: Tuesday, May 19, 2-3 p.m. Learn how to use Zoom video conferencing to chat with friends and family—and how to take virtual classes with Senior Planet.
• Online Bill Paying: Wednesday, May 20, 11 a.m.-noon Learn how to set up an online account with a utility company and explore its many advantages, including automatic bill paying and paying with a credit card or directly from a bank account.
• How to Initiate a Zoom Meeting: Wednesday, May 20, 4-5 p.m. Addresses having and using a Zoom account: how to create an account, create a meeting, share meeting details, invite participants and adjust meeting settings.
• Telemedicine: Thursday, May 21, 11 a.m.-noon. Lecture provides an overview of telemedicine options and focuses on exploring virtual medical appointments with your doctor in real-time. It also will offer advice about how best to prepare for a virtual visit, from questions to ask a doctor to concerns regarding connectivity, privacy and insurance.
• Podcasts: Thursday, May 21, 4-5 p.m. Lecture will address these audio programs available on the internet: why people listen to them, where to find them and which ones have proven to be the most popular.

Clases en Español:

• ¡Reunión en linea! (All Things Zoom): Martes, 19 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!
• Las aplicaciones de chat de vídeo (Video Chat Apps): Miércoles 20 de Mayo. 2-3 p.m. En esta presentación, descubrirá acerca de algunas aplicaciones de chat de vídeo de uso común, sin o de bajo costo, aprenderá sobre sus características y explorará consejos de chat de video para que pueda presentar el mejor de sí cuando esté en un chat de video.
• Las Transmisiones en vivo y televisores inteligentes (Streaming & Smart TV's): Viernes 22 de Mayo. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Cada día, más y más personas están “cortando los cables” y cancelando sus suscripciones de cable. En vez de cable, más personas están usando servicios de “streaming” gratuitos o de bajo costo, como Youtube, Netflix, y Hulu, para ver sus programas y películas en línea. Aprenderá información general sobre “streaming”: qué es, cómo usarlo, y la variedad de contenido disponible. También aprenderá cómo ver programas en vivo por televisión, y cómo los televisores inteligentes y dispositivos que usan la transmisión en vivo o "streaming" le permite ver videos del internet con el televisor.

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., 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

Release ID: 20-258
Media Contact: Neil H. Greenberger 240-205-1915