Great Lakes Wire

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is marking four years of collaboration with GetSetUp, an online learning platform designed for older adults to promote active aging and independence. This initiative aims to improve the mental, physical, and social well-being of older Michigan residents by addressing social isolation and providing lifelong learning opportunities.

Through this partnership, Michigan residents aged 60 and older have free access to a catalog of more than 5,000 classes across 40 different categories. Since the partnership began in 2020, over 1.5 million classes have been attended by Michiganders.

“We are proud to partner with GetSetUp to offer a wide array of classes that enrich the lives of older Michigan residents,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “This initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to support the health and well-being of our senior community and create opportunities for our residents to connect and engage.”

GetSetUp offers several benefits including:

- Digital Literacy: Classes on digital skills needed to thrive in today’s tech-driven world.

- Health Equity: Virtual education options on aging benefits, demonstrating how to use websites and apps, along with health and wellness classes.

- Mental Health: Classes on mindfulness, meditation, and cognitive exercises help enhance mental clarity and reduce stress.

- Physical Health: Fitness sessions promote physical well-being with low-impact exercises such as chair yoga and yoga for arthritis.

- Social Health: Interactive live classes create opportunities for social engagement, reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation.

- Equity and Accessibility: Combatting social isolation while providing equitable access to services. GetSetUp ensures that older adults in Michigan's rural and socio-economically diverse areas can benefit from these resources.

Many of these classes are also available through websites such as area agencies on aging (AAAs) and libraries via GetSetUp Anywhere.

“Michigan was our first statewide partner, and we are incredibly proud to positively impact Michiganders as we move into our fourth year of a thriving partnership that benefits hundreds of thousands of older adults,” said Lawrence Kosick, GetSetUp president and co-founder. “The success and engagement we’ve seen in Michigan exemplify the power of lifelong learning and community connection. Our partnership highlights the practical impact that MDHHS has on its older residents daily.”

GetSetUp is an online platform focused on active agers, ensuring opportunities exist at every age. Through expert-led sessions by older adults for older adults alongside vibrant community interactions, it promotes continuous learning, holistic well-being, and a renewed sense of purpose. The platform partners with AAAs, Departments of Aging, DHHS Medicaid programs, Medicare Advantage plans among others to offer programming tailored for millions of older adults globally. Classes are taught in English, Spanish Hindi Mandarin.