According to Scientific American, one of the best ways to keep our minds sharp as we age is to continue learning new skills. Some people believe that learning stops after college, or that we eventually reach an age where learning is no longer possible. But the adage about old dogs not learning new tricks doesn’t apply to people.
Many Senior Living communities are proponents of lifelong learning. These senior education programs are focused on continuing education for seniors, both as a hobby and for health reasons.
If you’re curious about senior learning, we’re here to help. Read on for the benefits of learning while in your golden years.
Improving Socialization
One of the best ways that continued education helps out senior communities is through improved socialization. Much like when we’re younger in life, being members of an educational community helps us socialize and meet new people.
It’s no secret that it’s harder to make friends as we age, and that goes doubly for our golden years. The best way to continue socializing is through these continued education programs.
There’s more at stake than just education, though. Improving your social life also has health benefits.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, loneliness is “a precursor for depression.” Battling loneliness through socialization can help do the following:
- Reduce stress
- Improve feelings of loneliness
- Make a community feel more like home
All of this has nothing to say for the simplest fact: learning is fun! You’ll enjoy your socialization through education much more as you learn together.
Maintaining Mental Faculties
As we age, many neurological disorders can take effect. Dementia and Alzheimers are the most commonly known, but they’re far from the only ones.
In our advanced age, our minds will begin to slow down. These effects make it harder to stay organized, keep track of our thoughts, and much more. Ultimately, this is perfectly healthy and normal, but it’s still a symptom many of us fight.
The best way to fight these issues is to keep your mind sharp. There are many ways to do so. Puzzles, for example, are one of the most common.
Fighting With Education
Aside from puzzles, education and learning are the best ways. We’re talking strictly mental learning here. There’s a whole different set of exceptional benefits for physical learning.
Let’s look at the example of learning a new language. Language learning is a daunting task, and one that many of us feel incapable of. But the neurological benefits are undeniable.
According to Cambridge, numerous studies have focused on how bilingualism can impact our minds. Studies show that bilingual adults have stronger white matter compared to monolingual adults.
Translated, that means that learning new languages helps to improve our memories. As memories are one of the first things impacted, it’s hard not to see the resounding benefits.
Further Benefits
A better memory isn’t the only benefit of learning a new language. Using the same Cambridge study, we can spot multiple other benefits to keep in mind.
Improved concentration is one. The study in which this was shown focused on learners from the ages of 18 to 78. That means there’s no real age limit for these benefits!
Stronger communication skills is also a given. You’ll pick up more discussions, be able to talk about new topics, and more.
And, finally, the study states that bilingual people “exhibit more creativity in problem-solving and flexibility” than monolingual speakers. All of this is to say one thing: there are countless benefits to language learning.
Naturally, language learning classes provide opportunities to socialize. If you’re intending to travel in your golden years, then learning the language of the land you intend to visit is a great choice. You’ll make some friends and pick up a new language on the way!
But How?
With all of this said, we can clearly see the benefits of personal growth for seniors. But how can you tackle senior learning? What if your community doesn’t offer ways for you to learn?
Learning In Person
We suggest focusing on learning in person first if you can do so. That’s because this is where the social benefits are the most powerful.
Being in a room with your peers and fellow students has a profound psychological effect. That’ll make sure that you’re still driven to learn, while also making lessons more pleasant.
Consider looking into your community’s senior learning opportunities. At TerraBella Summit, we focus on daily activities and social events, local outings, and more. These are often focused on learning and improving ourselves.
Learning Online
If you’re not a fan of learning in person, don’t let that serve as a barrier. There are countless ways for you to continue learning online.
To start, you’ll need to build your “technological literacy.” That’s to say, you’ll need to know how to navigate computers and online spaces for learning online. It may sound daunting, but there are learning classes specifically for this skill that you can take advantage of.
Once you understand how to use computers, be ready to take charge. Learning online gives you much more flexibility to learn what you want, when you want, and how you want to learn it.
Many social media sites or media sharing sites like YouTube have a plethora of online lectures and educational topics. Some local colleges may offer their teaching materials online at a reduced cost — even for free, in some areas.
Look into what’s available and think of what you want to learn. No matter what topic you’re interested in, you’ll find more information online.
Mastering Senior Learning and Education
Senior learning can feel daunting, but it’s one of the best ways to keep ourselves happy and healthy in our golden years. Look into local senior education programs so you can take advantage of the countless active aging benefits.
Here at TerraBella Summit, we focus on a healthy and engaging atmosphere. Our communities offer live entertainment, wellness classes, and frequent activities. Contact us to see how we can help you enjoy your golden years in Greenville, SC.
