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 June 8-12 will focus on How to Initiate a Zoom Meeting, Mindfulness Apps and Creative Writing.

In addition to classes in English, two classes during June 8-12 will be delivered in Spanish. A variety of exercise classes also will be offered.

Over the last two months, more than 4,000 participants have joined virtual programs hosted by Senior Planet Montgomery. Future classes will feature topics such as the Internet of Things and Lighting and Smartbulbs.

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 June 8-12 will include:

• Online Health Resources: Monday, June 8, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Presentation will introduce topics and tools offered on reputable websites MedlinePlus and Mayo Clinic. Learn how to evaluate health-related information online.
• How to Initiate a Zoom Meeting: Thursday, June 8, 4-5 p.m. Program will go over the features of a Zoom account: how to create an account, create a meeting, share meeting details, invite participants and adjust meeting settings.
• Creative Writing Workshop: Friday, June 12, noon-1 p.m. Workshop explores how to produce powerful works that are ready for submission to anthologies and literary journals.

Clases en Español:

• ¡Reunión en linea! (All Things Zoom): Martes, 9 de Junio. 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!
• Aplicaciones Para La Atención Plena (Mindfulness Apps): Viernes 12 de Junio. 10:30-11:30 a.m. La atención plena es la habilidad de estar plenamente presente y consciente. Puede practicar la atención plena a través de actividades sencillas. Esta presentación introduce la atención plena y sus beneficios físicos y mentales, por ejemplo, cómo reducir la ansiedad, mejorar la memoria y bajar la presión arterial. Aprenderá sobre aplicaciones populares que enseñan técnicas de respiración y meditación, también sobre nueva tecnología como los monitores de respiración portátiles y las colchonetas inteligentes para yoga.

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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