In New York City, the Senior Planet Exploration Center offers classes, workshops, programs and lectures. The organization also has online classes.
Emojis are everywhere, including in text messages, Facebook posts and emails. Do you know what they mean?
AARP’s Senior Planet and its parent organization, Older Adults Technology Services, offer free online classes. Sessions are tailored for older adults and focus on user-friendly tools and resources to achieve targeted outcomes such as social engagement, health and wellness and creative expression.
Programs
The organization has created the nation’s first technology-themed center for older adults in Manhattan, where they host classes, workshops, programs and lectures. This gives them the chance to offer New Yorkers a modern, safe space where they can access technology and learn how to use it to stay connected to family, friends and the world around them.
Its program offerings are built around five impact areas: financial security, social engagement, creative expression, health and wellness and civic participation. Senior Planet offers a diverse mix of educational and fun online programming that provides measurable change in these key life areas.
Their virtual sessions are free for seniors and last about an hour. They teach participants how to use a variety of technology apps, including those that help with transportation, shopping and exercise. In addition, they teach them how to navigate different platforms like Skype and Zoom. They also provide tips for lowering utility bills and staying healthy in general.
Volunteer Opportunities
There are a variety of volunteer opportunities at Senior Planet to give back and find meaning in life. Some volunteer positions require initial training and other commitments. Some opportunities like the AmeriCorps Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions match volunteers with seniors in need of social interaction and provide a monthly stipend. Others, like the Senior Planet Exploration Center host technology tutorial courses and events to help older adults navigate digital tools for learning and living a new, engaged aging-with-attitude.
Tech Talk Host — As the Tech Talk host, you facilitate a 20-minute one-on-one conversation related to technology with visiting members at the Senior Planet Exploration Center. These sessions are not meant to be prolonged tutoring sessions or repair consults and require you to be comfortable with most commonly used technology products and skilled in communicating about them in a cogent manner.
Social Media
Online social media is a powerful tool for Senior Planet participants, who use it to communicate with one another and share interesting content. Whether you want to learn how to use Facebook or Google Plus, join an upcoming virtual webinar and get the skills you need to thrive online.
Senior Planet’s Facebook page features a variety of articles that challenge traditional portrayals of seniors, as well as a calendar of upcoming events and classes. The site also features a blog with bare-bones listing of interesting articles, videos, and pictures that have been found by Senior Planet.
During the coronavirus quarantine, Senior Planet in New York City helped residents navigate health-related apps that could save lives. The program aims to help older adults make meaningful change in five impact areas: financial security, social engagement, creative expression, health and wellness, and civic participation. Learn more about how to join these courses and other digital literacy classes at the OATS from AARP website.