It’s back-to-school season and although, for our senior loved ones, school days are but a fond memory, learning can and should last a lifetime!
It’s a great time for older people to think about rededicating themselves to learning new things. Whether engaging in physical activity or taking classes, there is always something new to learn that can help make life easier, more enjoyable and more impactful. Lifelong learning is considered good for the brain, mental well-being and self-esteem.
While many seniors have experienced challenges adapting to a rapidly changing world, especially in technology, lifelong learning equips you with the skills and knowledge you need to navigate these changes effectively.
According to Senior Lifestyle, as technology evolves, seniors who stay updated and learn how to use smartphones, tablets, and computers navigate a technology-dependent world easier and stay more connected with family and friends through video calls and social media. You can manage your finances online, access valuable information, and even engage in telehealth services for medical consultations. The empowerment that comes from being tech-savvy in an increasingly digital world allows you to maintain a level of independence that might otherwise be compromised. And this is only one example of skills you can gain from embracing lifelong learning!
Benefits of Lifelong Learning
Increased self-esteem
As life changes and people get older, some seniors may struggle with a loss of identity and self-esteem, especially if they have retired from long and familiar careers and left their family home to live in a senior community or apartment. Lifelong learning offers an opportunity to reclaim their sense of accomplishment and self-worth. Learning new skills, setting new goals, and successfully achieving those goals can reinforce their self-esteem. Whether you’re learning a musical instrument, improving your cooking skills, or exploring a new language, the sense of accomplishment derived from learning is empowering.
Mental stimulation and improved cognitive health
Beyond the new skills and abilities acquired from taking a new class, the process of learning itself is beneficial. Learning requires concentration, exercises a senior’s memory, and otherwise keeps their minds sharp. After all, we must use our brain power or risk losing it. Mental exercises are a wonderful way to maintain or improve cognitive health, potentially staving off the onset of cognitive decline.
Feelings of personal accomplishment and fulfillment
It’s never too late to find a new passion. While many of us don’t have time to pursue hobbies while we are raising children and maintaining a demanding career, retirement is the perfect time to indulge ourselves in doing what we love to do. Whether it’s playing golf, reading about history or learning a craft, it’s time to have some fun.
Opportunities for social interaction
One of the biggest challenges for seniors is social isolation and loneliness. Signing up for classes or workshops gives them a chance to interact with people with whom they have things in common, fostering new connections and friendships. In a senior living setting, taking classes with other residents can help them feel more at home and find community connection and support.
Physical fitness and health
We all face challenges with staying fit and healthy, and those things only get tougher as we age. Make your fitness efforts more impactful by taking the time to join a physical fitness class, study nutrition and diet, or learn how to cook things that are both tasty and good for you!
Getting Started
Now that we’ve learned a little bit about the benefits of lifelong learning for seniors, where can they find the opportunities to educate themselves?
Our senior loved ones can go the more traditional route by signing up for formal classes at their local community college, university, or library. If they’re not able to travel, many institutions offer classes that they can take from the comfort of their own home. If they live in a senior living community like Bethesda’s, they won’t even have to leave the property to find group classes featuring activities like crafts, dancing and yoga. And seniors shouldn’t be hesitant to take the initiative to learn about a subject that interests them by utilizing library and internet resources.
No matter what the subject or format, learning is for all ages. So, enjoy this back-to-school season by finding new ways to broaden your knowledge and grow your skills!
