Health & Wellness
July 15, 2024

Celebrating Three Years: GetSetUp and NYSOFA Empower Over 400,000 Older New Yorkers

Celebrating Three Years: GetSetUp and NYSOFA Empower Over 400,000 Older New Yorkers
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In recent years, GetSetUp has partnered with the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) to tackle critical issues faced by older adults, such as social isolation and digital literacy. Through this collaboration, GetSetUp has become a vital resource, providing older New Yorkers with the tools and community support they need to lead fulfilling and independent lives.

Key Achievements

1. Reducing Social Isolation

• Over 400,000 older adults in New York have participated in GetSetUp classes since 2021.

• Learners reported feeling more connected and less isolated, with classes providing a virtual space for social interaction and community building.

2. Enhancing Digital Literacy

• GetSetUp offered technical support via phone, chat, and email, helping learners overcome barriers to technology use.

• Classes on digital skills, such as ‘Home Networks Made Easy’ and ‘Emergency Apps for Your Android,’ have been particularly popular.

3. Promoting Physical and Mental Wellness

• Classes like Tai Chi-Shibashi, Morning Fitness, and Total Body Works have supported physical health, while sessions on mindfulness and artistic expression have improved mental wellness.

4. Supporting Independent Living

• GetSetUp’s practical classes have empowered older adults to manage their affairs and live independently.

5. Bridging the Digital Divide

• Through GetSetUp Anywhere, the platform integrated its most popular classes directly onto AAA partner websites, making them easily accessible to older adults.

• Over 300 classes were taken via this option, demonstrating the high engagement and demand for these resources.

Community and Impact

Top Cities for Usage: New York City, Buffalo, Syracuse, Albany, Rochester, Schenectady, Saratoga Springs, Hamburg, Yonkers, and Canandaigua.

Popular Classes: New Member Orientation, Tai Chi-Shibashi, Morning Fitness - Core Training, Low Impact Aerobics, and more.

Voices of the Community

Becky Preve, Executive Director of the Association on Aging in New York, highlighted the program’s success: “The impact classes have made on older community members and their families has been incredible and continues to alleviate issues with the digital divide.”

Greg Olsen, Director of NYSOFA, emphasized the program’s broad benefits: “GetSetUp delivers a full range of high-quality programs and understands our business model and priorities. Their partnership has been and will continue to be invaluable.”

To dive deeper into the remarkable achievements and personal stories of New Yorkers benefiting from GetSetUp, read the full case study here.

By addressing social isolation, enhancing digital literacy, and fostering a supportive community, GetSetUp has made a substantial difference in the lives of older adults in New York. Explore the full report to learn more about this transformative initiative and its positive impact on the community.