Older Adults Technology Services

Senior Planet is the name of the award-winning set of program experiences through which OATSengages a diverse array of older adults and the organizations that serve them across America. Individual Senior Planet participants share a collective commitment to "Aging with Attitude and their active participation in the world-class programming that OATS delivers through a variety of delivery channels sparks measurable changes in outlook and behavior that produce outcomes in specific dimensions of a senior's life: increased social connection, improved health, greater financial security, more active participation as citizens and advocates, and access to new pathways to creativity.While OATS itself delivers Senior Planet programs in person in several key US markets, the organization offers a unique licensing program that enables hundreds of qualified community-based sites to provide in-person Senior Planet experiences to older residents in their local urban, suburban, and rural communities in more than 30 states across America.Below is a summary of the key accomplishments of OATS in 2023.2023 Key Projects:Total Engagements Senior Planet provided over 580,000 engagements to new and returning participants through our virtual, in-person, and licensing programs.Digital Skills Ready@50+ , a collaboration with AARP Foundation and funded by Google, helped nearly 25,000 low-income older adults build skills to find jobs, change careers, and explore entrepreneurship.Fitness offerings continued to be popular among older adult participants. OATS began live-streaming wellness classes on the Senior Planet YouTube channel and celebrated another year of the Senior Planet Sponsored Athlete program.Senior Planet centers in Plattsburgh, NYC, and Denver marked their first full year of operation since the pandemic, while continuing in-person training through partners in Texas, Maryland, and California. The organization also continued delivering in-person programs in collaboration with AARP state offices across the country.In November 2023, Senior Planet held a launch event to celebrate the addition of its newest center in Miami. When it opens in March 2024, Senior Planet Miami will offer area residents continuous opportunities to access, use, and learn about new and emerging technologies and how to harness their power to improve their lives and communities - all in a safe and welcoming environment. Expansion of the Senior Planet Licensing Program:The Senior Planet licensing program powerfully equips local organizations across the country with the tools to help older adults access technology and use it to enhance their lives. Through an adaptable program model, the Senior Planet licensing structure works with community-based organizations to develop local trainers to deliver Senior Planet's proprietary curriculum and bring Senior Planet's world-class programs to older adults in their area. In 2023, the Senior Planet Licensing program grew to over 350 licensing sites nationwide, covering 30 states. Thought Leadership Highlights (speaking engagements):OATS expanded its Digital Equity work in 2023 to support the growing need for access and connection to low-cost internet and training. Philanthropy News Digest credited OATS initiatives as having influenced the federal government's launch of the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides discounted internet service to low-income Americans. In coordination with AARP State Offices across the country, OATS's work around digital equity continues to help older adults learn about low-cost internet options through eight 'tele-town halls" in California, New York, Connecticut, Nebraska, Rhode Island, New Mexico, and two in Georgia, reaching a total of 7,437 older households.OATS largest conference presence in 2023 was at CES and ASA. At both conferences, OATS took a multi-faceted approach: learning, presenting, and sharing information, along with Senior Planet participants.At CES 2023 - OATS expanded its presence at this annual tech conference to include a booth within AARP's AgeTech Collaborative area and the hosting of live Senior Planet classes from the tradeshow floor.By teaming up with Discover Live, OATS explored a new way to bring virtual experiences to Senior Planet participants by live-streaming two events, including a tour of AARP's AgeTech Collaborative booth and a Q&A session featuring OATS executive director Tom Kamber and AARP SVP of Innovation & Product Development, Andy Miller. OATS identified cutting-edge technologies and published an article featuring startups from AARP's AgeTech Collaborative, focused on products and solutions that will create transformative solutions to aging better in the modern world.At ASA On Aging 2023 Conference - OATS sponsored the AgeTech stage at the nation's largest multi-disciplinary conference on aging, attended by nonprofits, human services and aging-related government entities, startups, and aging service providers. OATS hosted a "Launch and Learn" on the main stage of the conference titled "Aligning for Excellence and Impact: Practical Strategies for Transformational Change." On the AgeTech stage, OATS hosted five presentations: "How Local Partnerships Thrive," "Fitness as We Age," "AgeTech and Philanthropic Investing," "Inclusive Innovation, and "Online Learning is Here to Stay."Press and Media Highlights: In 2023, OATS was selected as a Winner in the 29th Annual Communicator Awards for Innovation and Excellence in Communications for the "(Em)Powered" video series that features four Senior Planet participants from across the country who describe how Senior Planet experiences have enriched their lives by helping them work, pursue creative endeavors, and stay connected with loved ones.Other highlights: 1. January 25, 2023 - FOX 13 Seattle: Local 86-year-old weightlifter proves it's never too late. 2. February 22, 2023 - The Washington Post: Americans over 50 are doing extreme sports their grandparents never imagined. 3. April 1, 2023 - The Wall Street Journal: Older Adults are Obsessed with These Five Tech Topics. 4.April 7, 2023 - WBTW - Georgetown County News: 73-year-old Murrells Inlet woman uses fitness journey to inspire others. 5. April 23, 2023 - KSAT12 News: Technology training from UTSA helps older adults adapt to digital world. 6. June 13, 2023 - Stanwood Camano New: Camano pickleball player encourages senior fitness. 7. July 28, 2023 - WREG-TV Memphis (CBS): BRIGHT SPOT, Memphis couple inspires seniors nationwide to get active. 8. August 31, 2023 - Fox 7 Austin, Preparing for emergencies. 9. October 26, KOAA News5 Southern Colorado, Keeping up with technology, how Colorado seniors can get the help they need for free. 10. November 30, 2023 - Comcast Newsmakers, Helping Older Adults Thrive in Todays Digital Age. 11. December 7, 2023 - WPLG Local 10, New Miami center offers free tech training, classes for seniors. 12. December 14, 2023 - Telemundo, Mundo Tecnolgico - Centro comunitario para personas mayores en Wynwood.To learn more about OATS and Senior Planet visit oats.org