As the U.S. population ages, older adults are making up an increasingly large percentage of communities. In fact, the number of people ages 65 and up is expected to nearly double by 2060, according to Census Bureau data —and in just five years, one in five Americans will be of retirement age. These older adults are looking for ways to reduce isolation, forge connections with others, and learn new skills—and libraries have a key growth opportunity to help them achieve these goals.

Gale Presents: GetSetUp helps libraries fill these critical needs with a turnkey online solution that doesn’t place any additional burden on staff. Libraries can deliver engaging adult programs  without  curriculum planning, or the need for subject matter expertise. Its flexible, continuously updated content keeps patrons coming back—boosting participation and satisfaction among older adults.

This easy-to-use digital platform includes a rotating catalog of more than 5,000 live and on-demand classes, videos, and articles that empower older adults to lead happier and healthier lives. Because it’s available online, the service also helps them overcome barriers to participating in traditional library programming, such as a lack of transportation.

GetSetUp features include:

• Topics that are directly relevant to older adults and caregivers . When libraries subscribe, the adults in their community ages 55 and older have access to content on a wide range of pertinent topics, such as technology use, health and wellness, personal finance, Medicare, travel, cooking, and more.
• Guided learning opportunities. GetSetUp instructors, called Guides, are all 55-plus themselves. They’re subject matter experts who can share their own personal insights and experiences. Their role is to facilitate learning, answer questions, and create a highly engaging experience for users.
• A community of learners. Users have an opportunity to learn within live video sessions, where they can ask questions, share their experiences, learn from each other, and connect over common interests—creating a sense of community that can reduce feelings of isolation among aging adults.
• Self-paced learning. Besides live sessions, users can also watch recorded videos and read articles to learn at their own pace and deepen their knowledge in topics of interest.
• A personalized user experience. A feature called “My Schedule” gives users a personalized view of their scheduled upcoming classes. It also helps users sign in to events, adjust their schedule, and access recordings of prior sessions.

Key benefits

GetSetUpbenefits libraries by helping them provide value to an increasingly important stakeholder group: aging adults.

“Large populations of older adults may shape the direction of collections, programs, and services,” the American Library Association’s Center for the Future of Libraries observes. For instance, older adults may need assistance with topics such as navigating Medicare or FaceTiming family members—and GetSetUp helps libraries effectively cater to these needs, thus deepening community engagement.

With GetSetUp, Libraries can:

Expand Access – Reach older adults at home, in the library or in partner facilities
Promote Equity – Offer inclusive, multilingual, and age-friendly content
Support Wellness – Reduce isolation and promote mental and physical health
Boost Digital Literacy – Help patrons confidently navigate today’s tech
Strengthen Community – Foster connection through shared learning experiences
Build Partnerships – Engage with senior- and aging-focused organizations, taking your mission beyond library walls.

For aging adults, GetSetUp helps them learn new skills, make connections, and improve their quality of life—all of which can enhance their health and well-being. According to the CDC, for instance, social isolation significantly increases the risk of premature death, and it’s linked to higher rates of depression and cognitive decline.

Many older adults also lack confidence in their digital skills. This can serve as a barrier to everything from telehealth appointments to accessing financial services such as banking or insurance. GetSetUp helps older adults become confident, independent technology users, leading to increased civic participation.

“I’ve learned quite a bit—how to operate my iPhone, about scams and traveling, Facebook Marketplace, how to restrict people who see your Facebook post, cooking in the Instant Pot, exercises for people with arthritis, starting a business, even budgeting and meditation,” says a user from California named . “ GetSetUp has really helped me stay active, learn new things, and connect with others.”

For additional insight, download this infographic, Resource Snapshot for Aging Audiences at Public Libraries.

Part of Gale’s Adult Learning Suite

Gale Presents: GetSetUp is part of Gale’s Adult Learning Suite, which provides a full complement of online learning options for adults to earn a high school diploma, develop new skills, and/or prepare for college or careers. The other resources in Gale’s Adult Learning Suite include…

• Gale Presents: Excel Adult High School, which enables adults to learn online at their own pace as they work toward an accredited high school diploma. The program includes 100 standards-aligned courses, all updated regularly, that participants can choose from as they earn a diploma by completing 15.5 academic credits and six elective credits.
• Gale Presents: Udemy: With thousands of on-demand video courses, this upskilling resource helps patrons learn new skills across 75 subject areas, including business, IT, creative arts, personal finance, technology, wellness, and more. Users can find high-quality courses from expert instructors for today’s in-demand skills, as well as courses in 15 different languages taught by native-speaking instructors to help libraries reach diverse populations.
• Gale Presents: Peterson’s Test and Career Prep: With standardized test preparation, college planning, career exploration, and job search tools, this resource offers everything patrons need to take the next step in their education or career. Users can access practice tests, financial aid information, a resumé builder, and more.

“Gale’s Adult Learning Suite includes resources for library patrons at every stage in their learning journey,” says Senior Product Manager Casey Anderson. “This complete suite of online learning solutions helps libraries support their communities with content that’s relevant to a full range of learning needs and goals.”

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