What is Lifelong Learning for older adults?
Well, you could say it's really a belief in a philosophy that promotes one simple truth...
Lifelong learning is the process of maintaining an active and youthful mind, body and spirit as we age.
It's an opportunity to make your own unique contribution to society, to meet new people and explore new ideas after you are no longer working full-time.
Some examples include:
- Exploring Lifelong Learning in the Classroom as a way to study new and different subjects, such as archaeology, politics, art, music, great literature, languages and history.
- Discovering that Lifelong Learning through Educational Travel is a great way to study different cultures and traditions and learn more about the world we live in.
- Utilizing your knowledge and expertise by engaging in Lifelong Learning through Community Service to help improve our society for all generations.
No matter what Lifelong Learning means to you, the premise is the same...
Lifelong Learning expands your intellectual, social, spiritual and physical horizons.
The world is at your doorstep...
Whoever said retirement was only about golf, rocking chairs, and early-bird dinner specials?
A Brief History of Lifelong Learning
In the past, the best options available to mature adults who were interested in exploring Lifelong Learning were to either return to school in pursuit of a degree or simply audit a class. Finally, in the mid 20th century, educational philosophy began to change and Lifelong Learning for older adults gained momentum. Programs were established to help enrich the lives of mature adults through a wide variety of courses, travel adventures, and community service options.
And the world began to notice.
So much so in fact, that Lifelong Learning as we now know it, is no longer limited to just the United States where the current movement began in 1962.
France's own initiatives began in 1972. Shortly thereafter, the International Association of Universities of the Third Age (U3As) was established. The idea quickly spread through Europe, spurring countries like Belgium, Switzerland, and Britain to begin their own organizations devoted to Lifelong Learning. Since then, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia have also reaped great benefits from the establishment of Lifelong Learning programs. Japan, Mexico, China and other countries are now getting on board as well.
Today, you can find lifelong learning opportunities on a global scale at such places as:
- Colleges and universities
- Senior centers and adult communities
- Libraries
- Churches
- Stores
- Other public spaces
Every day, the concept of Lifelong Learning grows by leaps and bounds as people realize how much more enriched their later life experiences will be with the added value of continued learning and adventure.
What's the Big Deal About Lifelong Learning?
The many positive aspects of Lifelong Learning affect our Mind, Body and Spirit!
Let's take a quick look at how this happens.
Body
Prior to the 1990s, a decade of important brain research, scientists thought that getting older was automatically accompanied by a mental decline in our brain functions.
Not true!
In fact, recent research shows that it is entirely possible to grow new brain cells as old ones age, provided we undertake enriching and challenging learning activities.
But don't take our word for it. Dr. Paul Nussbaum, a well-known researcher, international consultant on health and aging, and the author of Brain Health and Wellness, feels that active learning-lifelong mental stimulation-appears to offer a "vaccination" against neurodegeneration. Among the ingredients of this "Learning Vaccine" are:
- That learning, as a physiological and psychological event, must now be considered a health-promoting behavior, and
- That the brain requires environmental enrichment at any age.
By stimulating your brain with Lifelong Learning, you will naturally enjoy other physiological benefits as well. Exposure to new ideas and thinking might prompt new physical activity that can help stave off illness and disease. A healthy brain means a healthy body!
For more information on the benefits for the brain of engaging in lifelong learning be sure to read Lifelong Learning and the Brain.
Mind
Intimately connected with the physical, the mental side of Lifelong Learning is amazing.
Imagine being able to explore whatever you want.
What would you read about? What would you want to try?
And as your mind devoured this new "brain food," it would naturally want to eat even more. Your thoughts, beliefs, and personal philosophies might expand so much that you find yourself on a brand new journey of self-discovery. You might also discover new talents and the increased self-esteem gained from this discovery would be priceless.
Lifelong Learning has also helped many people weather the storms of personal crisis. The care and support members of a program give each other is tremendously valuable. Knowing we have friends is sometimes enough to help us during the dark hours.
Ironically, our "After-50" years are a time when most of society expects us to slow down and let life continue by without our active participation. Rather than dread getting older, people might actually look forward to this time when they can set off on adventure after adventure, exploring the amazing universe around us all.
Spirit
Later-Life Learning lifts your spirit and helps it soar!
Those who indulge in lifelong learning enjoy an incredible amount of social activity. Social interaction is extremely important, as research has shown that interacting with our peers in a friendly setting helps us live longer. Over the last twenty years, scientists have documented the fact that being involved in social activities not only enhances lives but adds years to life as well.
According to findings published in the August 1999 edition of the British Medical Journal, people who spent time in social activities - volunteering, running errands or getting together with friends (Lifelong Learning could well be included here!) - fared just as well as those who spent the time exercising.
People become involved in Lifelong Learning as much for the socialization as they do for the education. Social activities are a very big component of Lifelong Learning participants make new friends and some have even found new spouses!
Conclusion
Participants in lifelong learning are as busy as they want to be, taking courses, developing new friendships, helping in the community, traveling, and just plain having fun.
They bring new focus to their lives and open the eyes of society at large about what it means to be an older adult.
Lifelong Learning's core values of learning, exploring, and serving, coupled with benefits for the mind, body and spirit make it an incredibly powerful tool for personal transformation and enhancement.
Lifelong Learning and the Brain
Lifelong Learning in the Classroom
