Never Stop Learning: Senior Programs
Posted by Donna Mae Scheib on January 09, 2017
Never Stop Learning: Senior Programs
Age shouldn’t negatively impact the rate and diversity of what a person learns; if anything, it should improve it. Too often though, once we or our loved ones reach old age, and transition to a nursing home or assisted living, those options (and maybe even desires) for learning greatly change or diminish.
But all is not lost. All across the country, enriching and energizing programs are being developed and carried out for those in their golden years. From knitting, painting, square dancing, book clubs, and beyond, chances are there is a class or program in your community that will bring joy to your loved one, sharpen their mind, and help them to make lasting connections. And there’s more to trying new things than just passing the time. Research shows that providing the brain with new information actually helps with time perception. Because new information takes the brain longer to process, it can help with the sensation that the days and months are flying off the calendar at an increasingly alarming rate.
Below are three different genres of activities and programs that can help to stimulate and grow seniors in different ways.
Handicrafts
In a blog for The New York Times, writer (and knitter) Jane Brody reflected on the benefits knitting has on the body and mind.
“Dr. Herbert Benson, a pioneer in mind/body medicine and author of ‘The Relaxation Response,’ says that the repetitive action of needlework can induce a relaxed state like that associated with meditation and yoga. Once you get beyond the initial learning curve, knitting and crocheting can lower heart rate and blood pressure and reduce harmful blood levels of the stress hormone cortisol.”
Brody also commented that seeing all her completed projects boosted her self-esteem and sense of accomplishment. If your loved one enjoyed such handicrafts in years past, check with your local senior center or their resident program to see if there are knitting clubs or groups for them to join. Crocheting, knitting, and other handicrafts provide an excellent creative outlet and brain stimulation, not to mention the benefits of gathering with friends to work on projects together. And knitting isn’t just for the older set anymore. If you are a caretaker and find yourself overwhelmed with stress, maybe it’s time to knit one, purl two your own anxiety away.
Exercise
The benefits of regular fitness are well-documented for every age set, but it becomes more vital to get that blood pumping regularly as people age. What you may not realize are the wide variety of classes offered for seasoned citizens. From chair aerobics to square dancing to yoga, there is sure to be a class to fit seniors’ physical needs and yet stay within their physical limitations. Regular exercise improves core strength and coordination, releases endorphins and improves circulation. When done in a class setting, regular fitness activities foster healthy relationships and connections. All of these benefits can ease transitions like new living arrangements, the death of a spouse, or health concerns.
Mental Fitness
When fitting in physical exercise and fostering creativity, don’t forget about the brain. Senior centers and assisted living centers often feature activities and programs that focus on mental wellness. These programs can include book clubs, brain fitness events, board game clubs, and other community connections like teens interviewing seniors.
In 2015, a senior center in North Carolina held a “brain fitness fair” that featured engaging stations for the residents to visit, with everything from brain healthy foods, games and challenges to test memory, and further education on brain health.
Another great way for seniors to stimulate their memory, while also connecting to younger generations, is to be paired with a local teen for them to interview the senior about their life. One senior center in Utah focused on veterans, and held a special assembly for the teens to present their stories while on stage with their veteran.
This is just a small sampling of the programs being offered across the nation for our beloved seniors. If you’re feeling inspired by one of the examples above, but aren’t sure if your community offers a similar program, why not start the new year off with research into your senior center’s or assisted living resources and explore starting a new senior program?
You just might learn something in the process.