Michigan older residents have taken 1.5 million GetSetUp classes

by | Aug 20, 2024 | Health and Wellness

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 20, 2024

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, Sutfinl1@michigan.gov

Michigan’s older residents have taken 1.5 million GetSetUp classes

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is observing four years of partnership with GetSetUp, an online learning platform tailored for older adults to support active aging and independence. This collaboration aims to enhance mental, physical and social well-being in older Michigan residents to combat social isolation and provide opportunities for lifelong learning.

Through this partnership, Michigan residents aged 60 and older have free access to a catalog of more than 5,000 classes across 40 different categories. Over 1.5 million classes have been attended by Michiganders since the partnership began in 2020.

“We are proud to partner with GetSetUp to offer a wide array of classes that enrich the lives of older Michigan residents,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “This initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to support the health and well-being of our senior community and create opportunities for our residents to connect and engage.”

GetSetUp offers a number of benefits, including:

  • Digital Literacy: Classes on digital skills needed to thrive in today’s tech-driven world to meet older adults where they are.
  • Health Equity: Virtual education options on aging benefits, demonstrating how to use websites and apps, and offering health and wellness classes.
  • Mental Health: Classes on mindfulness, meditation and cognitive exercises help enhance mental clarity and reduce stress.
  • Physical Health: Fitness sessions promote physical well-being with low-impact exercises and modified exercises like chair yoga and yoga for arthritis.
  • Social Health: Interactive and live classes create opportunities for social engagement, reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation.
  • Equity and Accessibility: Combat social isolation and provide equitable access to services. GetSetUp ensures that older adults in Michigan’s rural and socio-economically diverse areas can benefit from these resources.

Many of these classes are also available embedded on websites such as area agencies on aging (AAAs) and libraries through GetSetUp Anywhere.

“Michigan was our first statewide partner, and we are incredibly proud to positively impact Michiganders as we move into our fourth year of a thriving partnership that benefits hundreds of thousands of older adults,” said Lawrence Kosick, GetSetUp president and co-founder. “The success and engagement we’ve seen in Michigan exemplify the power of lifelong learning and community connection. Our partnership highlights the practical impact that MDHHS has on its older residents daily to show a shift and change to offer this growing aging demographic empowering opportunities.”

About GetSetUp

GetSetUp is an online platform for active agers, ensuring opportunity exists at every age. Through expert-led sessions by older adults for older adults and vibrant community interactions, we inspire continuous learning, holistic well-being and a renewed sense of purpose, turning aging into an era of boundless growth and connection. GetSetUp partners with AAAs, Departments of Aging, DHHS, Medicaid and Medicare Advantage plans to offer programming to millions of older adults. Classes are taught in English, Spanish, Hindi and Mandarin.