May 12th, 2016

Lifelong Learning for Seniors

Senior Care in Evanston IL

Of all the research out there on memory loss, one of the messages constantly given is that keeping the mind involved and stimulated in some kind of activity may help combat memory loss issues. In fact, a 2009 study done by the American Association of Neurology showed that seniors who regularly participated in activities like reading and other things that involved learning and stimulating the mind, had between a 30 and 50 percent less chance of developing memory loss issues, when compared to those who didn’t.

Seniors can learn in many different ways. And for those who want to continue learning, no matter their age, there are plenty of opportunities to do so—both in person and online.

If the senior you care for has a desire to participate in some kind of lifelong learning activity, here are some community-based options that may be available to them. The local YMCA or senior center probably has classes seniors can participate in, possibly at a free or discounted senior citizen price.

The local community college or technical college likely has classes for continuing education that would be of interest to some seniors. They don’t have to pursue a degree or anything that extensive. It could be as simple as a creative writing or knitting class, or a photography or basic First Aid class. Local departments of recreation sometimes offer classes in how to learn certain games or hobbies. There also may be churches, community groups or other organizations that offer classes on things. There is also an online site called Meet Up that has plenty of groups for social activities for people of all ages.

For seniors who are homebound or want something where they can learn at their own pace on the Internet, there are also plenty of options. Almost every college or university out there offers some portion of their courses online. Rarely are they offered free, and they may not even be offered at a discounted or affordable tuition for seniors. However, there are a few options which offer a wide variety of free online courses.

One such site is MOOC (Massive Open Online Course). Here a person can enroll in one or more free courses on practically anything they can think of. The course usually run six to eight weeks and students who successfully complete the course can download a certificate saying so. If a student wants to take a course that offers a degree, there is, of course, a charge. These types of courses are a fantastic way to experience different instructors and professors from institutions all around the world and gain additional knowledge—for free.

Source for group activities: www.meetup.com
Sources for free online courses: www.mooc-list.org, Coursera.org

If you or an aging loved one are considering senior care in Evanston, IL, contact the caring staff at Gentle Home Services. Call today (800) 860-9823.

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