PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — When the COVID-19 pandemic began, JoAnn Samon of Easton, like many of her friends, found herself relying on virtual classes from the Aroostook Agency on Aging to improve her overall well-being and connect during a time of decreased in-person gatherings.
Samon, 72, was enrolled prior to the pandemic in the Agency’s in-person A Matter of Balance class, which teaches fall prevention strategies. Now that the Agency’s Healthy Living for ME classes have shifted online, Samon has taken two Tai Chi for Health and Balance classes and one Living Well with Diabetes class.
Though Samon already owned a computer at her home, she had never taken classes on Zoom. She said that folks at the Agency were helpful in showing her how to use Zoom and how to access the courses.
As someone who lives with the challenges and anxiety of diabetes, Samon praised the classes for giving her a greater sense of control over her health and emotional well-being.
“I’ve been able to lower my blood sugar by quite a lot thanks to their common sense suggestions,” Samon said. “And Tai Chi is fun and everyone enjoys it. You learn these moves and they give you such a sense of calm.”
The classes that Samon has taken are just some of many that Healthy Living for ME, a partnership between the Agency, SeniorsPlus and Spectrum Generations, has revamped for online use. Others offered include Bingocize, Savvy Caregiver, Brain Health and Living Well with Chronic Pain. Most courses run for six weeks and all except Tai Chi are offered for free.
Judy Anderson, director of community and volunteer services for Aroostook Agency on Aging, noted that the agency has worked to increase access to classes for seniors who might not have considered themselves internet savvy prior to the pandemic.
As part of grant funding from the federal CARES Act, the Maine Community Foundation and Versant Power, the agency has offered iPads and technology assistance to seniors in need of chronic disease management courses.
Thus far the agency has given 45 percent of the iPads they have purchased to people who have expressed a need for a device in order to take part in classes. The agency plans to order more iPads if the need for more technology access and assistance increases.
Even before each class officially begins, Anderson and other instructors take time to ensure that all participants can use their devices and Zoom with confidence.
“We have a class session called Session Zero where we go over the technical aspects of class, like how to log into Zoom, how to turn on the camera and how to unmute yourself,” Anderson said.
With senior citizens often finding themselves stuck at home with lesser access to services, the online classes have become crucial for educating them on healthy habits and giving them stronger connections with other folks in their age group.
Though Zoom does not replace the more spontaneous atmosphere of an in-person class, introducing seniors to the technology has broadened their connections to people in everyday life.
“Prior to COVID, there was a slice of the older populations who did not see the need for a computer, but now they realize what they can use with one,” Anderson said. “Zoom has opened up opportunities to take other classes and to connect with family.”
The agency’s statewide partnerships have allowed people both from inside and outside Aroostook to connect with one another. Jane Primmer, a Brunswick resident, said that she has enjoyed taking the class Living Well with Chronic Pain.
Primmer, 81, has continually dealt with chronic pain from arthritis and sciatica and most recently found out that she is pre-diabetic. Being able to take the class via Zoom, she noted, has given her more of a say in the health decisions she makes.
“I’ve been concentrating more on balanced meals and recording what I eat. I record the days when I can go walking for 20 minutes,” Primmer said. “Everybody needs encouragement when it comes to self-help, so the class has been very helpful in that area.”
Anyone interested in signing up for the virtual classes can contact Jane Hanson, regional director of Healthy Living for ME director, at 207-764-3396 or 800-439-1789.
