As a group leader (and a trainer for other group leaders) for the Virtual Senior Center, Dorot and GetSetUp, there’s often a question about how to plan online sessions for older adults. Is is better to focus on teaching a skill (like how to do something specific on your cell phone) or is it enough to provide a friendly social environment?
Why not provide both? Some older adults are attracted to sessions which focus on something they can learn (or re-learn); others prefer a way to get to know other people. Unless you know people from previous sessions, it’s hard to know until you get there what type of structure they will prefer. Fortunately, it’s always a good idea to include time for social interaction – and not just wait until the last 5 or 10 minutes of the session to do it.
Seniors want to learn, but they always enjoy meeting others who have some similar interests. It’s especially nice when people meet who live close enough to plan to get together in person. (Tip – ask where people they live when they’re introducing themselves.) Having a new phone / email buddy is also beneficial.
Teaching a new skill is nice, but creating new friendships is even better. Fortunately, you don’t have to choose one over the other. And you can decide after the session begins how much time to devote to each, depending on how your people interact with you and each other. Sessions that last multiple days / weeks are especially good for developing new friendships.
For most sessions, it’s good to provide at least some opportunity for people to get to know others.