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For Immediate Release: Friday, September 3, 2021

Senior Planet Montgomery, a technology training program designed for County learners 50 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 for Seniors Sept. 6-10 will include iPhones and Mindfulness Apps.


In addition to classes in English, two classes will be taught in Mandarin. A variety of exercise classes also will be offered.


During the winter and spring program quarters, more than 3,000 participants joined 142 virtual programs hosted by Senior Planet Montgomery. This summer, classes will cover how to use and host on Zoom, online basics, popular social media sites, lowering one’s utility bill, financial security and civic engagement.


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.


No classes will be offered on Monday, Sept. 6 for Labor Day. Classes to be offered week of Sept. 6-10 will include:

  • iPhones: Tuesday, 7, 11 a.m.– noon. Learn about the latest iPhone, its features and what to consider if purchasing.
  • Virtual Museum Tours: Tuesday, Sept. 7, 4-5 p.m. Tour world famous museums from the comfort of home. Lectures explore some of these virtual galleries, as well as digital tools that help bring art, architecture, and history to life.
  • Mindfulness Apps Thursday, Sept. 9, 11 a.m. – noon. Lecture introduces mindfulness and its physical and mental benefits, such as reducing anxiety, improving memory, and lowering blood pressure.
  • Money Matters: Thursday, Sept. 9, 4-5 p.m. Lecture introduces online banking and goes over how to keep your financial information safe.


Class in Mandarin:

  • 藉由線上繳交能源帳單費用來平衡您的預算 (三), 9/7, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. EST. 別再寫支票給水電氣公司了!在本次工作坊,您會學到如何從水電氣公司網站設定網路帳號,並探索其中的許多優點,包括自動繳費功能,還有使用銀行帳戶獲信用卡繳費。您會學到如何利用彩色圖表和圖形,看到自己的能源使用量,並且更加瞭解自己的帳單。
  • 「游戏科技問答小棧 (三), 9/8, Noon-1:00 p.m. EST. 這科技小棧可給您學習遊戲的機會。歡迎您來加入 Senior Planet 培訓師一起開放討論這個題材。


English Translation for Class in Mandarin:

  • Online Bill Pay: Sept. 7, 3 p.m. - Never write a check to your utility company again! In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to set up an online account with your utility company and explore its many advantages, including automatic bill pay and paying with a credit card or from your bank account. You’ll also learn how to better understand your bill using the color charts and graphs that show your energy usage.
  • Games Tech Talk: Sept. 8, Noon-1 p.m. - This tech talk is an opportunity for you to learn about games. Join our Senior Planet trainers who will lead an open discussion on the topic.


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 [email protected].


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: 21-704
Media Contact: Neil H. Greenberger 240-205-1915
Categories: Senior