Carol believes GetSetUp is the answer for younger seniors like herself

Carol believes GetSetUp is the answer for younger seniors like herself
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Carol N., a Baltimore learner, loves to learn. She knows the importance of learning since her dad had dementia.

“Learning and exercise help to diminish the effects of dementia. My brother and I always noticed my dad was clearer after his morning walks.”

Carol retired early from her secretarial work when she developed trigger thumb. She decided to stop working to help care for her aging parents, who were living in a senior care home at the time. As many caregivers know, organizing and settling accounts and end-of-life plans can be a lengthy process.

Discovering New Interests

Never one to stop learning, Carol took up skills she never had time to explore. Her interests range from art to technology, including sewing, jewelry making, sculpting, programming languages, and the mechanics of microcontrollers.

Prior to the pandemic, she spent a lot of time taking classes at her local senior center. While she came from the secretarial world in the 1990s and had a basic knowledge of technology, she was eager to learn more about the Cloud. A high school volunteer tried to introduce her to Google Docs, but she was still confused.

“Cloud classes with Wade at GetSetUp were great. I finally understood what the cloud is.”

The Power of Peer Learning

Learning from peers has been impactful. Carol had tried learning in local hackerspaces around town. She had gone specifically to learn more about microcontrollers, such as Raspberry Pi and Arduino. She wanted to learn how to make a kitty feeder out of a plastic bottle, full of dry cat food. Once hooked up to a microcontroller and a timer, it would turn over to feed her cat at 2pm when she was out.

“There are lots of high-level engineers there to help. They tried to teach me, but just because they are extremely smart, doesn’t make them good teachers. GetSetUp Guides are above anything else I’ve ever seen. They can take complex concepts and explain them to the average learner.”

Creativity and Connection

Carol’s favorite classes, though, gear towards the arts with Sue Murray.

“Sue takes anything around the house, like toilet paper rolls, and turns them into cars. I couldn’t understand how to effectively make an axle, and she suggested a straw. It worked! Even though it’s like almost midnight here when her classes happen, I love to watch what she makes, so I stay up late to see them!”

GetSetUp has not only helped Carol enhance her technological skills but also nurtured her creativity and kept her connected with a community of passionate learners. Her journey is a testament to the platform’s impact on fostering lifelong learning and personal growth.