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By Ellen Capecchi Would you rather sit in a doctor’s office or at a concert or movie of your choice? Walk on a treadmill during a stress test or a nature trail while bird watching? Read the HIPPA clause for hospital admissions or British literature for a book club? Although these contrasts are extreme, participation in lifelong learning is often linked with improved health. And some independent studies show education and intellectual stimulation may increase “brain reserve,” increased density and resiliency of connections between brain cells. Bruce Roberts teaches at the Cannon Valley Elder Collegium in Northfield, a retirement community offering liberal arts courses taught by retired college professors. Roberts cites an Arizona State study investigating the correlation between the pursuit of meaningful activities and improved health. “It is clear from research that as elders engage in meaningful activities their blood pressure and levels of the stress hormone cortisol decrease while their immune functioning and feelings of contentment increase,” Roberts said. “This typically triggers more creative thinking, connections to others and positive engagement, all of which contribute to longer life.” Steve Benson, Executive Director of the University of Minnesota’s branch of The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), echoed that assertion. “All the research points to those who stay mentally active having richer, more fulfilling lives,” said Benson. “They come [to OLLI] for the challenge and learning and they stay for the friendships and relationships. The camaraderie and conviviality keep them returning each semester.” Today’s seniors are redefining education by taking advantage of convenient, affordable and non-threatening continuing education opportunities. Gone are days of scrimping for tuition, scrambling for campus parking spots or cramming for finals. Today’s active elders use the words exciting, dynamic and invigorating to describe their experiences of lifelong learning. “The questing mind never retires,” the CEVC website states. Neither does the questing body. Ninety-seven year old Fauja Singh, of India, ran his first marathon at age 89. Adidas signed this Indian world-record holder for its ’Impossible is Nothing’ campaign. Closer to home, former South St. Paul resident Ed Kulenkamp taught himself to paint at age 89 and had his first art show, last spring, at age 91. Then there’s Catherine Beck. Her childhood request for piano lessons was denied by her parents who said, “You’ll never stick with it.” Beck’s parents couldn’t have been more wrong. When Beck retired at age 65, she purchased her first organ and began taking music lessons for seniors. In the next 30 years Beck upgraded her organ five times. She recently moved into an Inver Grove Heights retirement community, choosing a two-bedroom apartment to have space for her organ. Beck is among the wave of active elders reaping health benefits while enjoying the stimulation and fellowship of lifelong learning. Twin Cities Area
The Great Decisions Discussion Group is designed to encourage debate of important global issues of our time. Developed by the Foreign Policy Association, it is the longest-running civic education program in the U.S. devoted to foreign affairs. This grant-driven federal program meets for two hours every three weeks for eight months to discuss topics selected by the Minnesota International Center. Many groups are free and guidebooks may be checked out at public libraries. Call or check online for one of many group meetings throughout the Twin Cities metro area. Osher Lifelong Learning Institute A Wall Street Journal article last spring highlighted Bernard Osher as one of the ten most prominent Americans who are changing how we view retirement. Members of the University of Minnesota’s branch pay $190.00 per year for membership to this “health club for the mind,” entitling them to several courses each semester plus participation in unlimited special interest groups, such as Bridge; orchestra & lunch; Scrabble, birding, play reading, biking and more. Courses, conveniently scheduled to avoid rush-hour traffic, are held at Twin Cities’ local libraries, churches and temples and community centers. Elderhostel This non-profit organization offers lifelong adventures in learning for like-minded travelers over age fifty-five. Moderate costs cover lodging, lectures, transportation, tours and meals. Topics run the gamut and destinations circle the globe. Last season five Twin Cities seniors joined forty students at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin to explore “Architect of the Midwest.” Participant Mary Clark was the primary caregiver for her husband when she began taking Elderhostel courses. “I had to do something for myself, and I had to get out of the house,” said Clark. “Elderhostel was my therapy. And it’s cheaper than going to a psychiatrist.” Cannon Valley Elder Collegium Drawing from the academic atmosphere of Carleton and St. Olaf colleges in Northfield, the Cannon Valley Elder Collegium is a non-profit, lifelong learning community of students over age fifty (retired or not) focusing on the liberal arts. Faculty members, predominantly retired professors, encourage collaborative learning with students participating in research and discussion. Fall courses, running September 15 through November 7 and costing $50.00, typically employ a seminar format, with no prerequisites. Seniors in Mind Wendy Freshman coordinates this annual series of free programs for seniors at the Minnesota History Center. Topics supplement current museum displays and showcase local “hot” authors. The next session, on September 9th, explores churches of Minnesota, from a prairie town one-room chapel to St. Paul’s grand Cathedral. “My goal and the mission of the Minnesota Historical Society is to inform, inspire and provide thought-provoking learning, fun and entertainment,” said Freshman. “I try to knock their socks off.” Center for Senior Citizen’s Education This community outreach program presents challenging educational and cultural programs specifically designed to foster and support life-long learning. Six special programs are offered each semester and are based on various topics in history, music, art, literature, theology, science, religions and cultures of other parts of the world. Plus the Senior Citizens Go to College program allows 55+ students a chance to participate in undergraduate classes for a small fee and no tests! Vital Aging Network (VAN) Vital Aging Network is based on core values developed by the Elder Advocacy Network of west-central Minnesota. Programs challenge ageism, promote quality of life, and cultivate self-sufficiency and community participation. Monthly forums, free and open to the public, connect like-minded seniors and provide discussion on pertinent topics including caregiving, Latino elders, legal planning and hospice care. Forums meet every second Tuesday from 10:00 am to noon in Minneapolis, St. Louis Park; St. Paul, West St. Paul and Woodbury. A more involved Leadership Development program meets one full day a month for eight months, beginning in October. Students complete a civic-oriented service project exercising social entrepreneurship. Fees apply and scholarships are available. Technology Supporting Lifelong Learning Founded in 2001, Dakim’s mission is to use cognitive stimulation to improve the quality of life for active seniors desiring to maintain their brain health. This California based company customizes programs which stimulate those with cognitive or physical challenges and those at risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Former teacher, Honor Hacker, 82, is a resident at an assisted-living community in Maplewood. Hacker brushes up on her American trivia every day while participating in a nationwide pilot of [m]Power, a touch-screen computer produced by Dakim and designed to preserve seniors’ mental acuity through cognitive drills. The touch screen is easier for arthritic fingers and less daunting to computer novices. To log in, Hacker enters her initials on a large screen. An image of Rosie the Riveter flashes and drills her on the day’s trivia. Being open to new experiences has enriched her golden years. “I just loved teaching and when I retired I assumed it would be the end of the fun,” Hacker said. “Boy, was I wrong.” It’s Never 2 Late The Colorado-based company, It’s Never 2 Late, was founded in 1999 to empower those with physical or cognitive disabilities. Applying adaptive technologies, IN2L designs software for nursing homes, assisted and independent living communities, memory care and adult day programs. IN2L services sites in 26 states, including Minnesota. University of Minnesota Mini Medical School The Mini Medical School, a program of the University of Minnesota’s Academic Health Center, began in 1988. The program is open to the public and primarily promoted by word-of-mouth. Most of the 600 students enrolled each year are college-educated seniors. Fall and spring semesters each cost $75.00, with scholarships available. While the program is designed for recreational learning, credits may be purchased. Weekly two-and-a-half-hour classes run for five weeks and include lecture, question and answer sessions and hands-on demonstrations. Leading physicians and researchers teach typical medical school topics without the rigors of homework or exams. Last semester’s series titled “The Aging Game” met Monday evenings in the Coffman Union Theatre on the east bank. New this year is a password-protected intranet, affording registered students support and networking. Fitness Programs Most local departments of Community Education and many YMCAs offer exercise classes for seniors for modest fees. Some sell convenient punch-cards, waive pre-registration and offer first-timers a free visit. EnhanceFitness® exercise classes emphasize strength training and cardiovascular conditioning. They’re offered at no charge to UCare for Seniors members who live in the greater seven county metro area. Ucare for Seniors is a medical insurance coverage purchased by premiums. For more information call UCare’s Customer Services Department at 612-676-3600. Libraries, Churches and Hospitals Most public libraries provide free computer classes and book discussion groups. Woodbury’s branch hosts courses and concerts in the indoor Central Park and amphitheater. Many churches schedule speakers and classes before or after Sunday services. First Presbyterian Church, South St. Paul, recently invited the public to its six-week course on World Religions. Many area hospitals provide free classes on health-related topics. Woodwinds Hospital in Woodbury even provides complimentary refreshments. “We’re never too old to learn something new,” said Wendy Freshman, MN History Center. If your prior association with education is “boring” then the following class titles will hopefully stretch your mind and motivate you to treat yourself to some lifelong learning. A to Z A: Aviation; Astronomy; Art Appreciation; American History; Advance Directives; Ancient Civilization; Asian-American Theater B: Boundary Waters Camping Prep; Bird Watching; James Baldwin Books; Bonsai Basics C: Cajun Cuisine; Chinese Poetry; Computer Classes; Cairo Pyramids; Composting D: Digital Cameras; Driver Safety; Drawing; Diabetes Management; Dakota Uprising E: Ethnic Dining; Essential Oils; Ethics; Ecology F: Friday Flicks; Financing Retirement; Fraud Awareness; Furniture Making G: Gardening; Gourmet Cooking; Glaciation and Geological Processes Impacting MN H: Home Buying and Selling; Hypnosis I: Italian Culture; Income Tax Tips; Identity Fraud Prevention J: Jazz from the Black Perspective; Journaling K: Kayak the Apostle Islands; Kick-boxing L: Laugh for your Health; Local Artists’ Cruise; Latino Elders; Landscape Painting M: Mortgage Options; Memoir Writing; Maple Syruping; Mushroom Hunting; Monarch Butterfly Migration Census N: Neurology of the Aging Brain; Natural History of the St. Paul Region O: Organ and Tissue Donating; Oscar Wilde’s Legacy P: Private Pilot Licensure Preparation, Photography; Portuguese Cuisine Q: Quantum Mechanics-an Exploration of Contemporary Physics; Quest-OLLI Bike Trips R: Rock Climbing; Retirement Planning S: Stocks and Bonds; Stress Reduction; Spanish; Scrapbooking; Skijoring T: T’ai-chi; Tax-Free Distribution of Retirement Income; Telemarketing Scams Protection U: Understanding Death; Utopian Communities of the Midwest V: Victor Frankl’s Writings; Vietnam Travel W: WWll Concentration Camps; Write Your Own Will; Wetlands Exploration; World Wide Web X: X-country Skiing Y: Yankee Doodle Dandy Outing and Discussion; Yoga Z: Zen Buddhism and World Religions
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Engaging Active Elders