OATS Blog
Press Release: OATS from AARP Selects Five Exceptional Older Athletes as 2023 “Senior Planet Sponsored Athletes”
The Senior Planet Sponsored Athlete Program, now in its fourth year, highlights the remarkable athletic feats that older adults can accomplish–along with the importance of staying active and fit.
Press Release: OATS from AARP and Crown Castle Empower Montgomery County Seniors with Skills to Leverage Today’s Newest Technology
Crown Castle’s Connected by Good program will expand Senior Planet’s tech-focused classes and training courses for older adults across Montgomery County.
Bringing the Excitement of CES 2023 to Older Adults Nationwide
For the last 10 years, the OATS team has attended the annual tech event called the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) for the multi-billion dollar U.S. consumer technology industry.
Press Release: Immersive “Tech Tank” Program Empowers Older Adults with Skills to Leverage Today’s Newest Technology
Launching at Senior Planet centers nationwide, the Tech Tank program offers older adults a chance to explore and use new tech devices in-person.
A Year in Review: 2022
This year presented unique challenges—the return to in-person programs, new strategies for innovation, and huge growth in our community-based nonprofit partnerships across the country.
Senior Planet Hosts Generations Over Dinner
Generations Over Dinner aims to enhance cross-generational understanding, through the unique lens of each generation, and create an experience that connects and values all perspectives across the age continuum.
Tom Kamber Receives the CTA Foundation John and Jane Shalam Award
Tom Kamber, PhD, Executive Director of OATS from AARP, is the 2022 recipient of the John and Jane Shalam Award to Combat Social Isolation.
Combating Misinformation with News Literacy Project
OATS from AARP is working with The News Literacy Project, a nonpartisan education nonprofit, to help older adults feel calm, cool, and ready to spot misinformation online!
New Report Shows Transformational Social Outcomes for Older Adults
OATS launches a new report that details how access to technology devices and innovative training programs can yield transformational social outcomes for older adults.
CSA Journal Highlights OATS from AARP’s Work to Help Adults Get Comfortable with Technology
The Society of Certified Senior Advisors (CSA) Journal highlights Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) from AARP’s article on how to find success when helping seniors use new technology in their everyday lives.
New Resource from engAGED and OATS to Help Optimize Virtual Program Delivery
Social isolation is a significant challenge for Americans, affecting one-quarter of seniors. Learn how virtual program delivery can be a source of relief.
Q2 Conference Updates: Highlights From the Field
In April, OATS was thrilled to attend the American Society on Aging’s On Aging 2022 Conference, the nation’s largest multi-disciplinary conference on aging, and sponsor
Connected NYCHA Participants Master Technology
The Connected NYCHA program recently celebrated the graduation of over 140 older participants.
Older Adults and the Automation of Everything
Many older adults are thriving in the digital age. Others, unfortunately, are barely taking advantage of it at all. This article by OATS Executive Director Tom Kamber explores what the automation of everything has meant for older adults.
Press Release: OATS from AARP Launches a Social Platform Exclusive to Older Adults, Senior Planet Community
Senior Planet Community is designed specifically for older adults, with the help of older adults, to ensure optimal user experience: simple layout, safe environment, and no advertisements.
Press Release: Aging Connected’s Chromebook Contest Promotes Connectivity Among Seniors
Aging Connected, in collaboration with Internet Essentials from Comcast, has awarded 15 older adults new Google Chromebooks.
OATS from AARP: One-Year Affiliation Celebration
It’s been one year since OATS joined AARP as a charitable affiliate and we have accomplished a lot together already! As leaders in the aging space, the exciting affiliation was a synergistic joining of forces.
Press Release: OATS from AARP Awards Five Exceptional Older Adults as 2022 ‘Senior Planet Sponsored Athletes’
Following a competitive nationwide application process, five older adult athletes were named ‘Senior Planet Sponsored Athletes,’ receiving a $1000 stipend to meet their fitness goals and inspire other older adults to get active.
Press Release: Google.org Makes $10 Million Grant to AARP Foundation to Provide Digital Skills Training
Google.org has announced a $10 million grant to AARP Foundation to provide technology and digital skills training to 25,000 people over 50 who have low income, with a focus on women and people of color.
Smart Cities Dive: Older adults turn to technology during an ‘epidemic of loneliness’
This article by Smart Cities Dive highlights local efforts to get more older adults online with the help of federal broadband investments to bridge the digital divide, including OATS’ Senior Planet program.
WSJ Opinion: Older Workers Can Keep Up
Older workers are integral parts of the workforce. Read OATS Founder and Executive Director Tom Kamber’s opinion piece on the topic, published by The Wall Street Journal.
Press Release: OATS from AARP Launches GivingTuesday Campaign to Ensure Older Adults Can Continue to #ShineOnline at Senior Planet
The organization is setting its highest GivingTuesday fundraising goal ever this year of $50,000 by November 30.
Senior Planet talks to EPA Expert for Energy Action Month
Did you know your refrigerator accounts for 7-13% of your total electricity bill, depending on the appliance’s age?
Press Release: OATS from AARP and the News Literacy Project Announce Virtual Workshops for Seniors to Combat Misinformation
Leading Nonprofit Organizations Team Up to Empower Seniors with Skills Needed to Spot Misinformation
Press Release: OATS from AARP Invites Residents to Participate in Town Hall on Digital Inclusion
OATS will be hosting a live, interactive telephone town hall from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, September 27, to discuss digital inclusion, prioritizing funding for services for older adults and the Emergency Broadband Benefit.
Press Release: OATS Invites Residents to Participate in Town Hall on Digital Inclusion
Organization is committed to bringing one million American seniors online by 2022
Harnessing the Power of Technology to Boost Social EngAGEment—and Physical and Mental Health
Social isolation is hard on everyone, but it can take a particularly large toll on older adults. As older adults’ networks decrease due to their
Press Release: OATS and CDC Foundation Launch Virtual Course on Digital Essentials for Older Adult Caregivers
Free, 6-Week Online Course Will Empower Attendees with the Skills Needed to Navigate and Understand the Digital World during the Pandemic and Beyond;
Senior Planet Honored for Best Community Websites and Mobile Sites In the 25th Annual Webby Awards
SeniorPlanet.org has been honored for Best Community Websites and Mobile Sites as part of the 25th Annual Webby Awards.
Another Year of Connected NYCHA
OATS is excited to partner with the New York City Mayor’s Office of the Chief Technology Officer (MOCTO), the NYC Department for the Aging (DFTA), and the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) for another year to provide training to the 10,000 older New Yorkers who received internet-connected devices.
Catalyst Partners Update: San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired
“The Low Vision Expo was a truly inspiring event, and a clear sign of what can be accomplished when groups work together to connect with groups in need.”
The Atlantic: Digital Connection Is More Essential Now Than Ever, and Seniors Are Being Left Behind
This article for The Atlantic explores the essential role that digital connection play in the lives of older adults, made even more crucial during the
MarketWatch: Once considered on the cusp of retirement, these people are taking a ‘gap year’ after successful careers
The premise of adult education is transforming, with educational opportunities for nontraditional students at an all-time high. OATS program Senior Planet is featured in this MarketWatch article about older learners getting back into the classroom.
VOX: How boomers got so good at Zoom
At Senior Planet, participants often log on early and stay late after class to chat with fellow classmates and new friends. This element of socialization,
Spectrum News: Charter Communications Donates Laptops to Older Adults Technology Services
OATS location in Plattsburg received a donation of 50 laptops from Charter Communications, the parent company of Spectrum News. This news report from Spectrum News
The Nonprofit Quarterly: For Older Americans, COVID Makes Closing the Digital Divide a Vital Matter
In this article, OATS (Older Adults Technology Services) and Senior Planet from AARP and are highlighted for helping the large number of older adults who
The New York Times: Remote Learning Isn’t Just for Kids
Seniors are getting online, learning, and connecting in more ways than ever before. Through Senior Planet and the Aging Connected initiative, OATS is working to
Press Release: AARP Empowers Older Adults’ Tech Use by Joining Forces With OATS, Launching A Virtual Community Center
“We welcome OATS into the AARP family. Their expertise and high-quality programming are lifelines for older people as they explore new ways to live, cope and thrive in a changing world.” —AARP COO Scott Frisch
Press Release: Report: 22 Million U.S. Seniors Lack Broadband Internet Access; First Time Study Quantifies Digital Isolation of Older Americans as Pandemic Continues to Ravage Nation
OATS, in Partnership with the Humana Foundation, Launches Unprecedented Effort to Bring Internet to One Million Older Adults by 2022.
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand Among National Leaders Calling for Action to Expand Broadband.
The Wall Street Journal: How to Care for Aging Parents When You Can’t Be There
In this Wall Street Journal article, journalist Julie Jargon discusses the difficulties of caring for older loved ones from afar, and how technology can help.
The Los Angeles Times: “5 ways to effectively teach a Boomer to Zoom from 3,000 miles away”
The Los Angeles Times spoke with professionals who work at the intersection of aging and technology about the best way to get older adults on
Scaling up: The power of catalyst partnerships
Over the last year, thousands of nonprofits have had to adapt traditional services to meet changing demands emerging from COVID-19 in an unprecedented, socially distanced
Aging2.0: “Crossing the Digital Divide: Interview with Tom Kamber”
Aging2.0 strives to accelerate innovation to address the biggest challenges and opportunities in aging. In this video interview, Aging2.0 Co-Founder Stephen Johnston interviews OATS Founder
The New York Times: “Virtual Volunteering Still Offers Benefits”
During COVID-19, older adults still work for their causes, but primarily from home. This New York Times article highlights older adults like Paula Brynen who have transitioned their volunteer work from in-person to virtual, but the shift doesn’t come easily for all.
News4SA: “Mayor Nirenberg signs national pledge to connect one million senior citizens to Internet”
San Antonio becomes the first city in the country to commit to the “Mayors for Aging Connected” pledge, a key initiative of new OATS campaign to bring one million seniors online, “Aging Connected.”
HealthTech: “30 Healthcare IT Influencers Worth a Follow in 2020”
No stranger to technology trends, OATS Executive Director Tom Kamber has been named one of 30 healthcare IT influencers worth a follow in 2020 by HealthTech magazine.
The Guardian: “‘A lifesaver’: US seniors turn to Zoom to connect with friends and family”
During COVID-19, older adults are discovering new ways to move their lifestyles – from classes to coffee chats – online.
Senior Planet + AARP: Helping Older Adults Manage Life from Home
“During the Covid pandemic and the resulting period of social distancing, it’s more important than ever that older adults stay connected to others and avoid chronic loneliness and social isolation,” said Heather Nawrocki, VP of Fun and Fulfillment at AARP.
The New York Times: “Recognize Misinformation on the Internet”
Older adults are vulnerable to misinformation online even under normal circumstances, but the coronavirus has made the problem especially urgent. Older people are more susceptible to the virus, making discerning reliable health information important now.
Press Release: Older Adults Technology Services Receives $3 Million Humana Foundation Investment to Launch Aging Connected, a National Digital Engagement Consortium for Older Adults
Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) will use the investment to develop pathways towards improved technology access and digital engagement for 1 million+ seniors