LANSING, Mich. – Older adults experiencing social isolation this season due to the COVID-19 pandemic have an opportunity to celebrate the holidays virtually.
Through its partnership with the national education technology company GetSetUp, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Aging & Adult Services Agency is offering a series of holiday-themed social hours this week and next week. The special classes will help older adults connect with family and friends this holiday season. This includes a special Christmas social hour on Friday, Dec. 25 at 11 a.m.
“Older adults are at greater risk for complications related to coronavirus and have had to follow public health guidelines closely, including social distancing,” said Dr. Alexis Travis, senior deputy director at of the Aging and Adult Services Agency. “Over the course of this week and next, we hope older Michiganders will join some of these social hours as a means to connect with loved ones and make new connections through this safe, virtual community.”
In October, the Aging & Adult Services Agency announced its partnership with GetSetUp, a mission-driven company dedicated to creating economic and learning opportunities for older adults. The partnership creates a new free resource for Michiganders age 60 and over as the state continues to face the pandemic. Since announcing the partnership with GetSetUp,18,444 older Michiganders have participated in 28,618 sessions.
Holiday social hours give older adults opportunities to connect with others in their age group. Holiday-themed social hours and courses include:
Social Hour – Holiday Party: Wednesday, Dec. 23, 3 p.m.
Getting Started with Zoom This Holiday Season: Wednesday, Dec. 23, 5:30 p.m.
Connect with Family and Friends This Holiday Season: Thursday, Dec. 24, noon
Social Hour – Christmas Traditions: Friday, Dec. 25, 11 a.m.
Social Hour – Seasonal Games: Saturday, Dec. 26, 2 p.m.
Social Hour – Holiday Recipe Swap: Tuesday, Dec. 29, 5:30 p.m.
Social Hour – Dancing to Music of the 1960s & 1970s: Thursday, Dec. 31, 4:30 p.m.
Registration is required. Classes and social hours are offered online and via telephone. To register, visit Getsetup.io/michigan or call 888-559-1614.
In addition to social hours, older Michiganders can access more than 150 free online group classes designed for and led by older adults. Popular classes include how to use a smartphone or tablet, how to use services like video conferencing, email, social media, as well as virtual social hours.
This project is funded in part by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund.