By Taylor Pocopanni, Resident Life Director, Luther Oaks
Lifelong learning is a broad term that refers to learning from birth to adulthood. Now a common term, lifelong learning was once believed to be a waste of time — “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” — as aging adults were thought to not benefit from learning new information because they experienced a loss in brain power (Cohen 2012). Even neurologists were stunned to discover that brain cells do, in fact, regenerate and continue to rewire the brain — a link that is strongly tied to learning. Adult learners have the opportunity to seek out new hobbies and passions, and research shows there are many benefits in doing so.
There are plenty of lifelong learning experiences available for mature adult learners right here in the Bloomington-Normal area. But in order for such programs to be effective and appeal to mature adult learners, research shows the programs must be “personally meaningful, taught in environments which provide a direct learning experience, allow adults control over all aspects of the learning process, and… not too expensive” (AARP Survey on Lifelong Learning, 2000).
Opportunities in the Bloomington-Normal area include taking a one-time painting class offered at a local art gallery, exploring new cuisine at a cooking class, attending a lecture offered by ISU’s Senior Professionals program, or visiting exhibits at local museums, such as the McLean County Museum of History. These examples are all evidence of the escape from the traditional classroom learning environment to more loosely-structured groups and workshop settings. According to the AARP Survey on Lifelong Learning (2000), a mature adult learner finds a laid-back learning format more attractive than a traditional classroom education experience.
In contrast to the traditional front-end learning model of education, which provides a barrage of information to children from a young age, there is an increased awareness of the benefits of lifelong learning, which encourages adults to learn new skills and challenge previously held beliefs throughout their lifetimes.
Lifelong learning is shown to have powerful benefits, such as:
• Keeping the mind active and sharp, and helping to improve memory and reduce the risk of dementia.
• Boosting confidence by helping people overcome their fear of trying something new.
• Providing many opportunities to socialize in a variety of settings, which strengthens interpersonal skills.
The opportunity for lifelong learning is just one benefit of living in a senior living community. Most facilities have a variety of programs for residents to keep their minds and bodies active. Lifelong learning is a rewarding practice and is worth the time invested into each new experience, which just goes to show that “you can — and should — teach an old dog new tricks.’
In an effort to create exciting lifelong learning opportunities for older adults in the Bloomington-Normal area, Luther Oaks has developed Luther Oaks U. The series begins on Thursday, August 14 with a Night at the Museum event and discussion with Greg Koos at the McLean County Museum of History. Other experiences will include a Lunch and Learn with acclaimed Chicago actor Ronald Keaton in the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts (BCPA) Ballroom, followed by enjoying his one-man show performance on Churchill on the BCPA main stage. For more information on attending the Luther Oaks U lifelong learning experiences, please contact Taylor or Karen at 309-557-8000.
Sources upon request.
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