Resources we’d send our own family to
Facts effective October 18, 2026 · re-checked every month
Not a link farm — a curated shelf. Every entry earns its place by being free or honest about cost, respectful of older adults, and actually useful. All links open the organization’s own site.
Learn more, live and free
Senior Planet
Free technology courses and live online classes designed for 60+, from Older Adults Technology Services. The gold standard for guided, friendly group learning.
seniorplanet.org →GetSetUp
Live small-group classes taught by fellow older adults — including sessions on ChatGPT and artificial intelligence (AI) basics. Many classes free through libraries and health plans.
getsetup.io →Cyber-Seniors
Free one-on-one tech help from trained young volunteers, by phone or video — patient, kind, and genuinely intergenerational. Recent AI webinars include “Which AI Is Best for What?”
cyberseniors.org →DigitalLearn.org
A free digital-skills hub built by libraries, for real people (from the Public Library Association). Self-paced courses on email, websites, devices, and browsing safely — no jargon, no rush. Many local libraries teach from these same materials.
digitallearn.org →Understand AI itself — no tech background needed
These two treat you like the intelligent adult you are: what AI is, what it can and can’t do, and how it’s already showing up in everyday life. No math, no coding, no hype.
Elements of AI
A completely free, non-technical introduction from the University of Helsinki — used by over two million people worldwide, and praised for being genuinely respectful and clear. Gentle, optional exercises at your own pace. The best first step into understanding AI without overwhelm. Start with Part 1.
elementsofai.com →AI for Everyone (Andrew Ng)
A short, clear course (about six hours) from one of the world’s most respected AI teachers — real-world uses, limits, and the ethics, all in plain language. Free to audit on Coursera; no coding required. A perfect follow-up after Elements of AI.
coursera.org → AI for EveryoneFree courses from Microsoft — practical, everyday AI
Microsoft runs one of the most generous free AI-learning libraries anywhere, and it leans toward exactly what most of us actually do all day: writing, email, documents, and staying organized. Everything below is free and self-paced, in short modules you can finish in one sitting.
Microsoft Learn — AI Hub
The best single starting page: it sorts everything by your comfort level. Look for the “business users” and “productivity” sections — welcoming, never overwhelming.
learn.microsoft.com/ai →Introduction to Generative AI
Friendly 30–45-minute overviews that explain what AI is — and isn’t — without technical depth. A genuine confidence-builder, and a perfect companion to Elements of AI above.
learn.microsoft.com/training →Responsible AI, plainly
Short lessons on using AI safely, knowing its limits, and the ethics — squarely in the spirit of this site’s safety-first promise. Search “Responsible AI” on Microsoft Learn.
learn.microsoft.com/training →If something goes wrong — or nearly does
Report fraud (it protects your neighbors)
- Federal Trade Commission: ReportFraud.ftc.gov — every scam and attempt
- Identity stolen? IdentityTheft.gov — the Federal Trade Commission’s free step-by-step recovery plan
- Internet crime: Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov) — internet crime, money lost online
- National Elder Fraud Hotline: 833‑372‑8311 (Dept. of Justice, weekdays) — real humans who walk you through what to do
- Medicare fraud: 1‑800‑MEDICARE, or your local Senior Medicare Patrol
Stay ahead of the con artists
- Fraud Watch Network: from the organization originally named the American Association of Retired Persons (now AARP). aarp.org/fraudwatch — scam alerts and a free helpline, 877‑908‑3360
- Stay Safe Online (National Cybersecurity Alliance): staysafeonline.org — plain-English guidance on passwords, privacy, and spotting AI-enhanced scams, with free workbooks made for older adults
- United States government scams & fraud: usa.gov/scams-and-fraud — the official one-stop government gateway to protecting yourself
- Our own Stay Safe guide: the four-step method + family plan
- Print it: the Emergency Scam Stop Card
Medicare, Social Security & benefits — the official doors
Government impersonation: the one rule
Real agencies do not demand gift cards, cryptocurrency, secrecy, or immediate payment over the phone. When in doubt, hang up and call the number printed on your own card or statement — never the number the caller gave you. And don’t trust caller identification; it can be faked.
- Medicare: medicare.gov fraud & abuse · 1‑800‑MEDICARE
- Social Security Administration: Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General — report Social Security Administration impersonation
- United States Department of Health and Human Services fraud tips: 1-800-447-8477
Free, trained humans who help
- Senior Medicare Patrol: smpresource.org — trained volunteers who help you prevent, spot, and report Medicare fraud
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program counselors: free, unbiased Medicare counseling in every state — especially valuable during Open Enrollment (Oct 15 – Dec 7), prime season for fake plan salespeople
- Eldercare Locator: eldercare.acl.gov — the front door to local aging services nationwide
California & close to home
California Department of Aging
Digital literacy and aging services for Californians — including programs that teach technology skills to older adults, free.
aging.ca.gov → Digital InclusionYour public library
Most libraries offer free technology help, device classes, and one-on-one appointments — with a patient human across the table. Search “your city library technology help” or simply call the reference desk. (Sacramento neighbors: the Sacramento Public Library runs regular tech-help sessions.)
Safely try an AI tool
For the curious: going deeper
Stanford AI Index
The annual, credible “state of AI” report — the numbers behind the headlines, from a university lab rather than a vendor.
aiindex.stanford.edu →Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Technology Review magazine
Grown-up technology journalism; their newsletters explain AI developments without breathlessness. Some articles free each month.
technologyreview.com →Our YouTube channel
AI Made Simple for Seniors — short, plain-spoken episodes with companion pages and printables right here on this site.
@AIMadeSimpleForSeniors →New: the 50-state help directory
Every state’s free Medicare counseling program (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) decoded by its local name, plus where to report Medicare fraud in your state. Find help in your state →