Connecting with Others When You’re Homebound

TechnologyTwo great advantages of living in an EngAGE Community are (1) you and your neighbors share an interest in creativity, and (2) you have the opportunity to participate in stimulating classes and special events right there on site. But what can you do if you’re homebound and don’t have easy access — or access at all — to like-minded people or the kind of creative classes and events that you want and need?

Fortunately, if you have a computer, there are many options for online learning. One particularly effective program that also includes a way of connecting personally is presented in this post from Next Avenue written by Beth Baker (a former guest on Experience Talks):

The Online Classes That Help the Homebound Connect

“Rose Binder, 93, of Queens, N.Y., is homebound. . . .But thanks to something called a Virtual Senior Center, operated by the nonprofit Selfhelp Community Services, Binder’s time is filled with intellectual and cultural riches. Moreover, she has the chance to make friends and to regularly chat with them face-to-face — all from the comfort of her home.”

Selfhelp’s philosophy is that older people need to stay connected to the wider world: “To that end, utilizing our technologies, we work with schools, museums, churches and synagogues and bring all those activities and age groups, to our seniors, if they cannot get there any other way.”

How do you find people that share your interests?

How do you find creative classes and events?

We’d love to hear from you in the comments!

[Hat tip to Ann Davis Garvin for the link.]

 

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