Now any Wyomingite over 50 can take free live, interactive classes online. The Wyoming Department of Health has partnered with the Get Set Up digital education platform to help older adults bridge the digital divide, combat social isolation and live more connected lives.
Jeff Clark, the community living section manager at the Wyoming Department of Health, said this is part of the aging division's four year plan. They made a goal to help older people learn about digital technology and to provide them with more online resources.
He said the pandemic made the need clear.
"What it did to older adults, as far as social isolation that a lot of them were facing, having to stay indoors more, be isolated from their family members and loved ones and potentially education opportunities that would be available in their communities," said Clark.
Plus, another reason they felt the need to do this was because of the recent increased use of tele-health.
"We feel like tele-health is a big part of how older adults are having to engage with their providers, especially during the pandemic," he said. "And [we] want to make sure that older adults feel comfortable to use their electronic devices. And this platform gives them that opportunity to learn."
The website offers classes on physical, mental, social and vocational health like cooking, chair mediation or line dancing. They are taught by older adults and there are over 500 classes available weekly. Classes can be found at the Get Set Up website and state residents should use the coupon code "Wyoming" so there is no cost.