Finding Community and Wellness with GetSetUp

Retirement can be challenging, especially when staying active and maintaining social connections. For Wendy, a retiree living in Syracuse, New York, GetSetUp has become a lifeline, offering a sense of community and numerous opportunities for personal growth and wellness.   Thanks to a partnership between GetSetUp and the New York State Office for the Aging, all classes are free for any older New York state residents. 

“I signed up back in March when I received an email about it,” Wendy recalls.  “Since then, my mental health has improved because I look forward to the classes. They give me something to do. Even the recorded classes still engage me and give me the knowledge I didn’t have before, and I’m learning new things. When my partner comes home from work I tell her about what I learned from classes.” 

Initially, she didn’t participate much, but one day she decided to explore the site and discovered a cooking class by Twyla. This sparked her interest, and soon she found herself joining more classes and visiting the site more regularly.

Social Connection Through Classes On GetSetUp

“I saw the Good Morning community session and was excited to find that group since it was just what I hoped to find,” Wendy shares. 

This group became a daily ritual, offering a chance for her to connect with others and build friendships. The social aspect of GetSetUp has been crucial for Wendy. 

“I go to the Good Morning group every day, and I have made friends there. We have a text and chat line that many members are part of,” she explains. 

This daily interaction has significantly boosted her mental health, providing a much-needed outlet for social engagement after many of her friends moved away post-retirement.

“The greatest benefit of GetSetUp has been to my mental health. Classes have given me people to talk to and something to do in retirement. Now that I am retired, I don’t see people every single day, and several of the people I worked with and were friends with retired about the same time. They all moved, and now that we don’t work together -  we don’t see each other very often, so my friend circle has decreased by 95%.  GetSetUp gives me people to see every single day and talk to and gives me something to do because even though I'm always busy, it’s a different type of busy. There is no interaction, but GetSetUp gives me interaction with other people.” 

Wendy has also found value in the practical aspects of GetSetUp’s offerings. 

“I always try to go to the declutter classes on Monday afternoons because it makes me have an appointment to clean my house for an hour,” she says. “I do better when I have an appointment for something and then some to-dos for things I’ve been putting off –then I do them.” 

Having structured activities helps her stay organized and productive, turning mundane tasks into social and engaging events. Cooking classes have been another highlight for Wendy. She enjoys trying out new recipes and sharing the results with her partner. 

“I’ve baked several things that Pam has demonstrated, including a black bean brownie and a carrot cake,” Wendy mentions. 

These classes have also supported her recent health goals, including healthy and delicious pizza crust recipes. 

“About six weeks ago, I joined Weight Watchers, and the classes have given me ideas of different healthy meals to make,” she adds.

Technology to Help Manage Health and Wellness

Wendy’s curiosity extends beyond cooking and decluttering. She has taken various technology classes, learning about her smartwatch, Gmail, Alexa, and iPad.

 “I learned things I really didn’t know, like the fall care option and the emergency call option on my Samsung watch,” she notes. 

These skills are precious as she navigates her caregiving responsibilities for her two adult children. GetSetUp’s flexibility allows Wendy to engage with both live and recorded classes, fitting learning into her busy schedule.

 “Even the classes that aren’t live still engage me and give me knowledge I didn’t have before,” she says. 

This continuous learning has become a source of joy and mental stimulation, which she eagerly shares with her partner. Medicare Advantage plans offering additional support for older adults like Wendy, providing non-medical supplemental benefits that enhance health and wellness are an advantage Wendy believes. While Wendy primarily uses basic Medicare, she recognizes the value of plans that offer in-home support services and caregiver support, which can significantly alleviate the challenges of managing daily care for loved ones.

“I have two adult children that live with me that I care for and would be interested in classes that teach more about state benefits as I don't know of any care programs currently but get help through Medicaid,” said Wendy.

Wendy’s story highlights the transformative power of virtual community and learning in retirement. Especially since there aren’t senior centers near Wendy’s home, having access to learning online has helped her adapt to retirement.

 “I look forward to going every morning to GetSetUp,” she concludes. Through GetSetUp, Wendy has found a peer community, improved her mental health, and gained new skills, all of which contribute to a fulfilling and active retirement.

For more information and to explore programs that fit your interests and needs, visit GetSetUp.