Lifelong Learning Resources For Seniors - Living A Happy, Healthy Retirement

Introduction: Benefits of Lifelong Learning for Seniors & Older Adults

As I introduce lifelong learning resources for seniors, we must first discuss the many benefits. In addition, I encourage you to check out my post “The Secret to a Happy, Healthy Retirement”, where I discuss a holistic strategy to healthy living in retirement.

You may think of education as something that takes place in your youth, but continuing to learn over the entire course of your life is important. Older adults can benefit significantly from taking on new tasks,
learning new skills, or participating in fresh hobbies. Moreover, my personal enthusiasm for continuous learning serves as a strong motivation for composing this article titled “Lifelong Learning Resources for Seniors”.

Read on to find out more about 4 of the biggest benefits of lifelong learning for seniors.

Improves Cognitive Health

Many seniors struggle with a decline in overall cognitive health. This can lead to difficulty with every day tasks, their ability to communicate with others and ultimately a life of loneliness and depression. Ongoing learning helps supports cognitive health, can slow the progression of mental decline and help to maintain social interaction and a support network. When seniors are continually learning new skills or ideas
their cognitive abilities can remain strong and their lives more rewarding and pleasurable.

Lifelong learning can also help strengthen memory and recall skills for aging men and women.
Older adults often suffer from memory loss and issues with recall, making it difficult to retain pieces of information. Learning new concepts, like technology or a new language, can keep memory and recall skills intact longer. In addition, ongoing learning can add meaning and purpose to life.

Increases Positive Emotions

Older adults may find themselves struggling with feelings of sadness or depression. Lifelong learning might boost overall mood in these individuals by helping them focus on new skills or hobbies as well as put them in social situations with other lifelong learners.

Seniors can also experience a boost in self-esteem and reduced depression when they
have new tasks to complete. Such tasks could include things like maintaining a garden, playing games or making small household repairs. Learning will have an even stronger impact when it can be done with others, providing a connection and relationships with others.

The ability to learn new things and perform new skills helps increase overall morale in the elderly who otherwise may feel like they’re unable to take on additional physical or mental capabilities.

Helps Promote Social Connection

As previously discussed, lifelong learning offers seniors a significant advantage by fostering social interactions. Many older individuals experience difficulty in forming connections and often grapple with feelings of isolation. Acquiring fresh skills or pursuing new hobbies can serve as a catalyst for engagement with peers, enabling them to forge friendships based on shared interests.

This effect is particularly pronounced among older adults who live independently. While those residing in assisted living facilities or retirement communities have readily available opportunities for communal activities, solitary individuals lack such options, potentially leading to a solitary existence. When feasible, it is advisable to establish connections with external organizations such as churches or senior services, not only to access learning resources but also to potentially partake in other social endeavors.

For seniors residing in communal senior living setups, enjoyable pursuits like painting, sewing, or cooking can significantly enhance their social involvement. Undertaking a novel endeavor or acquiring a fresh pastime provides them with an introduction to neighbors and fellow residents, aiding in the formation of a fulfilling social network.

Keeps Activity Levels Up

Lifelong learning holds significance beyond emotional well-being, extending its benefits to physical health among older adults. As individuals age, the pursuit of continuous learning can contribute to enhancing their physical well-being. Many seniors are susceptible to slipping into a sedentary routine, particularly if they lack social interactions or meaningful connections with others. This absence of physical activity could yield severe implications for both their mental and physical states.

Engaging in fresh activities or cultivating new hobbies offers seniors a means to occupy their time while maintaining an active lifestyle. Activities like yoga, bocce ball, or dancing can serve as avenues for seniors to ward off sedentary habits and embrace increased physical activity, thus positively impacting their overall health.

Strategies for Seniors Who Live Alone

Online Learning

Now more than ever, online learning is empowering older adults to continue their education, dive into their interests or learn something completely new. When it comes to online learning for seniors, there are a variety of benefits and the options for the types of courses to choose from are truly limitless.

Don’t let the infinite possibilities of online learning leave you confused on where to start. Be sure to check the sources I have cited at the end of this article. It is not by any means everything that is available, but it gives you a good start.

Below is a list of key things to know about online learning for seniors, including the current landscape of seniors and technology, the top benefits of online learning and my list of some of the best free
online classes for seniors.

Seniors And Technology

Due in part to the pandemic, seniors started using the internet more with 81% of seniors reporting that they use the web daily.

Whether it’s connecting with loved ones via Facetime or hopping on tele-medicine calls with their doctor, seniors are adopting technology and using online tools to better their lives and pursue their passions. Be sure to check the sources I have cited at the end of this article. It is not by any means everything that is available, but it gives you a good start.

How Seniors Are Using Technology:

Exercise. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused people to reconsider the use of gyms for exercise. As a result, it’s not surprising that more seniors are taking advantage of online health classes
and workouts. In fact, three in 10 seniors think online health activities could replace, or at least supplement, going to the gym.

Connecting with family. Technology tools like Facetime and Zoom have allowed older adults to stay in touch with family from afar. The use of daily video calls for seniors has increased from 16% in 2016 to 38% today.

Improving their daily lives. When tasks like getting groceries or going to the doctor became more difficult, seniors have learned to adapt. In the past year, the number of people 50+ ordering groceries online has grown from 6% to 24%. Technology use for personal health increased from 28% to 40% for activities like tele-health visits.

Finding new hobbies and entertainment. Retirement provides the perfect opportunity to spend time on current interests and discover new ones. From ebooks and audiobooks, to courses on hobbies like knitting and cooking, the possibility for entertainment and learning online are endless.

There are many free and low cost sources of education for retirees:

Other Resources:

The Facts on Senior Centers – National Council on Aging