Baltimore County, MD Time of Your LIfe, 5 Aug 2020

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From YouTube: Zoom--Your Connection to Senior Center Programs

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Rebecca Ebert, Director, Ateaze Senior Center
Baltimore County Department of Aging.

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The department of aging wanted to update you on all the things that have been happening since covid-19 hit our area..

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It's been over a month now that our senior centers have been closed under executive order and we've all been social distancing,. But that doesn't mean we're not here for you.

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we're doing many activities to try and keep our seniors and their caregivers and family members. Engaged.

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So,, we wanna make sure you know about our facebook page,.

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And all of our senior centers,, all 20 of them- have their own facebook, pages.

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so,. You can go online and see what's happening, learn the latest news and also take a class, enjoy some activities.. You can learn spanish,. You can take a virtual trip,.

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You can do cooking classes.

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so,, it's really important to stay engaged,, while you're sitting at home.. We don't want you to be getting lonely or losing that activity. Level. exercise classes are great,. You can still do those from home..

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We also are staying in contact by making phone calls, texts, emails, to all of our participants that we're aware of throughout the county.

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just checking in,. So you may hear from our staff people,.

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And if you have needs,, it's really important that you let that be known. so our maryland access point number.

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At 410-887-2594 is still active.

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We have staff, on-call and they'll answer your calls about resources., we'll connect you to anything that you may be needing at this special time..

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We also serve as the food agent for baltimore county right now., so anyone who has needs for food, or finding out where the local pantries are,.

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Can call that same number and get those resources.

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So just remember we're still here for you,, although our staff we're working virtually., we're here for baltimore county's, older adults., don't hesitate to reach out, and if you know of an older adult who may be alone at home,,.

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Be sure to call them or knock on the door, do a porch visit., but it's really important that we not let anyone sit home alone during this time and not have those social connections.

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so give us a call. If there's a way, we can help you, and please stay safe out. There.

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Welcome back to the time of your life., I'm your host, ethel rasmussen.. In our previous segment, we learned about virtual programs at bcda's, 20 senior, centers.

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Now, to talk about connecting to those programs using zoom,.

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I'd like to welcome rebecca ebert director of the ateaze senior center, welcome to the show, becky.

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thank you.. Thank you for having me.

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covid-19 has changed the way programs and services are delivered,, including bcda's, 20 senior centers. becky,. Could you share information about.

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How bcda has adapted to our changing circumstances.

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So that senior centers now have virtually opened their doors.

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To continue to offer excellent programming.

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Sure., so when the pandemic hit,.

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We were forced to work from home., we were forced to quarantine, ourselves, and many of our seniors lost that social connection in which they needed.. Therefore, we were forced to think outside of the box,.

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We tried using facebook live and facebook posts that didn't really out for us as well as we had assumed..

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So we tried a different platform.. We tried zoom. through the access to the zoom platform,. We were able to offer 50 different programs and classes.

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That our seniors can take part online.. You can basically click on the link and take a chair exercise. Class, a line, dance class,, a zumba class, even play online bingo for free face masks..

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It's a great opportunity for seniors to stay connected.

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And really get that interaction that they're needing at this time.

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Zoom is a platform you've mentioned that bcda uses so that senior center members can participate in online programming classes..

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Can you talk about zoom and equipment, needed?.

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So zoom is a very easy program to use.

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Basically, you'll get a link and a password..

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You click on the link and the password, and it'll connect you through your phone, internet, computer.. Most people have smartphones or tablets,, but if you have something like, I use usually my smartphone to access the zoom class.

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You click on the link and it shows up on a screen like this.

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It does need to have access to your camera.

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On the phone, computer or tablet., if you don't have access to that,.

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You're always welcome to call in,, but you just won't be able to see. Anything. you'll still be able to participate, does not be able to see each other.

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so, to participate in a zoom class,.

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Please share information about how the easy process works.

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That members can use to register for the class.

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Absolutely., so in order to sign up for any of our zoom classes,.

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You just need to email, one of the senior centers in your area, and they'll be able to provide you to any of the links that we have for classes..

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So all the classes are accessible to any of our seniors.

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At any of the centers. just email, your senior center director.

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Excellent. and if a member requires some support to connect to a program, who can they contact?.

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Again, just contact your local senior center director.. They should be able to walk you through it.

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otherwise,, if you're having trouble, you're always welcome to reach out to me.. My name is rebecca ebert and I am at the ateaze senior center.. You can email us and we'll help you through it.

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becky,. Thank you for being on the show.

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To share your expertise about registering for senior center programs and classes via zoom.

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Thank you for having me., we are taking a short break, when we return. We will conclude today's show, with exciting news about travel, senior box office, and what's happening at your local senior center.