Polson agency offering free online adult classes

With many people staying home to stay safe during the pandemic, gatherings in book clubs, quilting clubs, senior centers and many other opportunities for social interaction and lifelong learning have been severely curtailed.

Area 6 Agency on Aging in Polson recently launched a new way for seniors and other adults to connect with others, through live classes, free online.

The agency has partnered with GetSetUp, a company that facilitates real-time, personalized learning experiences on a wide range of topics from how to use an iPad or Google Maps to line-dancing “The Hustle.” There are currently 80 classes available through the Area 6 link online.

"There’s great stuff on there,” said Area 6 Director Todd Wood. “Scroll through the landing page, and you will see courses on caregiving of loved ones with dementia, how a smartphone works, help with organizing and managing your affairs, and how to make some extra money in retirement.”

Other examples include a virtual tour of San Francisco, and how to read and record stories for your grandchildren you might not be able to see over the holidays. You can learn about genealogy, how to get groceries delivered, how to safely sell your stuff online, and resources to teach children online. Or, just have fun connecting with other seniors in the “Social Hours” with discussions such as “Staying Positive through the Pandemic” and "Talk’n About Dogs.”

“We’ve found that one of the biggest challenges for seniors can be that though there’s a lot of technology available, many people don’t really know how to use it,” Wood said. “The nice thing about these classes is that they are taught by other seniors, so it’s not as intimidating.” Instructors are people with expertise in the subject, whether they are hobbyists, professionals or professors.

The classes are interactive, so participants can ask questions and have them answered in real time, in a personally relatable way. Class size is usually limited to 25, but classes are offered multiple times so users can schedule to attend at their convenience, or coordinate and take them with friends. There are no restrictions on who can attend.

“This is a way seniors can enhance their own lives,” Wood said. “We’re really excited about it.” He tried some of the classes out himself, and ended up learning how to set up a Twitter account. “If there is a subject of interest in our community, we might be able to set up a class on it.”

Area 6’s contract makes the classes free to all, at least into next February.

“The goal is to keep it free and ongoing,” Wood said. “If we get an overwhelming response, that will probably lower our costs per ‘seat’ so we can afford to provide it free for more people. We encourage people to get on and use it and let us know what works.”

Classes on the GetSetUp website are available for a charge to anyone, but to access the free classes offered through Area 6, visit www.getsetup.io/partner/Western-Montana-AAA.

For assistance or more information, contact Todd Wood, Area 6 Agency on Aging, at 406-883-7284.