Lifelong Learning

Lifelong learning is a term you may have heard tossed around lately. It is the process of keeping your mind and body engaged in learning new things through all the stages of life. It means actively pursuing knowledge and experience at every age. Although many jobs encourage their employees to keep their job-related skills up to date, you don’t have to be employed to benefit from lifelong learning. In fact, the term most often connotes learning something new for fun or interest. Whether you’re learning how to dance, speak a second language, improve your golf swing, fix you car, or how to paint, it doesn’t matter so much what you choose to learn, as much as that you are learning something that is a new experience for your brain.

Some of the specific benefits that older adults can expect to see from lifelong learning activities include: improved memory, increased self-confidence, more energy, sharpness of mind, and a feeling of accomplishment. It can also provide opportunities to meet people who share your interests, may give you a chance to learn a new skill that can be a source of income, or provide a new interest that you can share with family and friends.

It is estimated that almost half of the adults in the U.S. are participating in some type of lifelong learning activity. This may be an academic degree, some kind of training for work, or the pursuit of a hobby. You can find lifelong learning resources in the form of continuing education or adult education classes at community colleges. Your community Parks and Recreation program is often a good, and usually inexpensive resource for classes and activities such as art, dance, language, yoga, exercise, music, and drama, just to name a few. Your local senior center is another great option for social groups and classes.

At A Caring Heart, we are big proponents of lifelong learning, and we are always looking for opportunities to help our clients learn and grow.

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