Finding Community, Creativity, and Cognitive Boosts with GetSetUp: A Retired Educator’s Discovery

Launched into retirement after decades spent designing curriculum for universities and corporate training, Debbie, a Manhattan-based former ESL and business communications professor, found herself searching for something new to fuel her brain and her spirit.

“I belong to a senior center in Manhattan, and I was looking for something online. GetSetUp just popped up, and I didn’t even know it existed before then,” she recalled. “Once I found it, I realized how much it offers.”

Thanks to the New York State Office for the Aging’s partnership with GetSetUp, older adults like her can access a robust platform filled with classes that span technology, wellness, art, and lifelong learning, all available live and on demand.

Learning That Feels Familiar—and New

As a former curriculum developer who taught at institutions such as Hunter College and the New York Institute of Technology, Debbie has a keen eye for quality instruction. 

“Some of your community sessions are excellent. I like the art journaling class, and I’m a history person; your class on jazz is great. The ladies in the community classes are charming.”

She started with the Remembrance Class, which immediately captured her interest.

 “That was the first one that sparked something in me,” she said. Since then, she’s dived into classes on public speaking, African civilizations, and even the War of the Roses. “You really have a lot of different classes,” she shared. “And I like to talk to people, so I enjoy the community-based ones.”

The AI Advantage

An early adopter and lifelong learner, Debbie’s not intimidated by technology. In fact, she holds a certificate in prompt engineering and stays updated on AI trends. GetSetUp’s digital assistant Helen caught her attention early on. 

“Helen interested me. It’s a terrific idea,” she said. “I’m always interested in AI and what it can do for people with cognitive or physical decline. There’s a lot of research on AI being your friend. It can help organize your life as you get older. It’s the wave of the future.”

She recently saw a GetSetUp class titled Budgeting and Scheduling with AI, which she described as “fascinating and timely.”

“I was just looking at Helen this morning,” she said. “As you age, you don’t always have the same memory. Helen, and AI in general, can be a tool for memory, support, and staying independent.”

Practical Learning for Real Life

From the perspective of a former medical curriculum developer, GetSetUp classes also offer practical value in surprising ways.

 “I had a student once in a medical course who had to leave the room because of the smell of the marker,” she remembered. “I’ve become sensitive to smells too, so I’m allergic to painting, but your basic art journaling classes let me be creative without the sensory overload.”

She also values that classes are repeatable.

 “I like that you repeat classes. If you miss one that’s scheduled, you can still see it again.”

Cognitive Stimulation on Her Terms

For this New Yorker, GetSetUp offers more than just education; it provides structure. 

“The benefit is to stimulate the brain, especially when you’re in the house. And AI can help with scheduling and setup. That’s important. When you retire, you no longer have that daily rhythm. GetSetUp gives you discipline that you choose.”

While she appreciates both live and on-demand options, she loves the flexibility that lets her tailor her own learning journey. 

“I like it very much, and I’ll be using it even more in the winter.”

As someone who once worked with PBS and holds a degree in public communication, she brings a deep appreciation for media, learning, and community. GetSetUp, she says, ties all those things together.

“It’s not just about taking a class,” she said. “It’s about staying engaged, curious, and connected.”