OATS Blog

Each year, we ask Tom Kamber, Executive Director of Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) from AARP to offer his thoughts on the year in Senior Planet. Here’s his report.

This white paper on Senior Planet Community reads less like a technical report and more like an invitation as it offers inspiration and practical guidance for nonprofits, funders, and policymakers.

Lorena’s journey with Senior Planet in Miami has given her both the digital skills and confidence to expand her life-coaching practice.

OATS is proud to launch a series of workshops as part of Verizon’s responsible business digital wellness initiative to equip seniors with the essential technology skills they need to navigate the digital world with confidence.

With Verizon’s support, OATS is helping older adults gain digital skills, access, and confidence to thrive in a connected world.

Discover how OATS first-ever two teamwide events brought staff together to connect, learn, and shape the future of our mission—together.

Empowering older adults through accessible tech: Key milestones from the Microsoft and OpenAI Societal Resilience Grant initiative.

OATS from AARP wins both the 2025 Communicator Award of Excellence and Distinction for impactful storytelling.

OATS from AARP Shares Expertise on AgeTech Stage as a proud sponsor, showcasing innovation and leadership on Ageism and Culture during four panels at ASA’s premier aging conference.

Read how Senior Planet Miami and Wish of a Lifetime fulfilled a veteran’s wish to visit Miami after 25 years, stepping back into cherished memories of family vacations — from carefree days on North Miami Beach to the vibrant soul of Little Havana’s Cuban culture.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has generated both enthusiasm and concern among older adults. As AI is increasingly encountered in daily life, it’s important that seniors understand the risks and benefits associated with this powerful new technology. OATS recently published AI for Older Adults, a guide to help seniors understand the implications of AI on their lives.

As we prepare to close out the year, we invite you to take a moment to celebrate milestones from 2024 with OATS. Tom Kamber, Executive Director of OATS, shares some favorite moments and highlights from the year.

From urban centers to rural communities, Senior Planet licensing program partners exemplify how local knowledge and cultural sensitivity can create powerful digital programs for older adults.

For millions of older adults, language can be a significant challenge when seeking training in critical technology skills. OATS is proud to announce that half of our award-winning classes and programs are now available in languages other than English.

In October, 13 newly licensed partners across 10 states joined the Senior Planet licensing program to begin delivering award-winning technology training classes to older adults in their communities.

New funding from the state of Florida will support programming at the Senior Planet center in Miami and across a network of community-based partner sites.

OATS will expand the Senior Planet licensing program into areas of rural Wisconsin thanks to a generous grant from Bader Philanthropies.

The most recent annual NTIA Internet Use Survey shows a 4.2% increase in the number of older adults ages 65+ who are using the internet–about 550,000 people.

OATS and the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) are collaborating on an ongoing program to inspire seniors to appreciate and create art together.

The Miami Parks and Recreation Department is working with the Senior Planet center in Miami to bring older park visitors to the center to participate in classes.

In July, 19 newly licensed partners across 15 states joined the Senior Planet licensing program to begin delivering award-winning technology training classes to older adults in their communities.

OATS is a recipient of a grant from the Societal Resilience Fund recently launched by Microsoft and OpenAI to further AI education and literacy.

AT&T awards OATS from AARP a $1.3 million contribution to help close the digital divide for seniors in underserved communities.

OATS has been named a 2024 Silver Telly Award winner for the video “Aging with Attitude and Gratitude” about the Senior Planet licensing program.

The Communicator Awards presented an Award of Distinction in its Public Relations Campaign category to OATS.

Staff and leadership from the Humana Foundation visited the newly opened Senior Planet center in Miami on Wednesday, May 18. The visit served both as

OATS has participated in the annual American Society on Aging (ASA) conference, the nation’s largest multidisciplinary conference on aging, for 11 years.

OATS is proud to announce that we have received two AVA Digital Awards in the 2024 season, Platinum and Gold.

The The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation has awarded OATS a $500,000 grant to support OATS in scaling the Senior Planet licensing program and virtual

Through F.Y. Eye, OATS ran a PSA campaign that reached millions of New Yorkers to promote free tech classes at the Senior Planet center in Chelsea.

In interviews with people who were dying, we learned they wanted to mark their final days with meaningful experiences and leave their affairs in order. It’s time to reset logistics, last days and legacy.

As we talk at CES about the great opportunities that technology presents, and hear about exciting new innovations, we must always consider those who are not yet able to harness technology to its fullest, including older adults.

Tom Kamber, Executive Director of Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) from AARP, shares some favorite moments, and highlights some accomplishments in 2023.

In response to the increasing demand for affordable internet access and training, Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) from AARP has focused on providing guidance and

Ines Escandón, OATS Director, Impact Measurement and Learning, was recently quoted in a new report, “Developing a Digital Equity Theory of Change with Tech Goes Home,” that provides recommendations for how to measure impact and improve outcomes for digital equity programs.

The Benton Institute for Broadband and Society cited Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) from AARP’s Aging Connected research report, published with support from The Humana Foundation, in its recent report Visions of Digital Equity.

OATS from AARP and engAGED have created a series of fact sheets to provide older adults with tips and best practices to safely and securely engage online.

OATS is excited to join the AgeTech Collaborative and become part of its growing community of startups, investors, and industry leaders all working to deliver value to older adults through cutting-edge technologies that have the power to transform older adults’ lives.