Learning for Life

Human beings are born to learn throughout their life span. In the 21st century, with rapid changes in culture, technology, nature, globalization, and lifespan, lifelong learning is more important than ever.

It is clear that continuing to learn new information, skills and practices is significant for adults as they advance in their careers, child-rearing, and personal growth. However, as people age, especially over 50 or into retirement, that active continuing education is very important as it:

• Promotes brain health
• Improves personal wellbeing
• Opens avenues for social connectivity
• Provides access to new information regarding health, finances, medical conditions, etc.
• Facilitates use of constantly changing technologies
• Contributes to self-respect, independence and purpose

A Scientific American article included research published in the Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences in 2019 which concluded that:

…Not only can older adults learn multiple new skills at the same time in the right environment and with the right beliefs, but doing so may improve their cognitive functioning considerably.

The intervention brought older adults out of their comfort zones, and made them feel fearless about new challenges. At the start of the intervention, many older adults thought they could barely walk a mental mile, but they completed a triathlon.1

The AARP (originally the American Association of Retired People) is an organization that has an extensive collection of articles, videos, programs, and resources for people who are retired or over the age of 50. An AARP survey of 1,516 people indicates that “As people seek education, the primary drivers are to gain new knowledge and stay mentally sharp. Learners are driven less often by social pressure, and both men and women saw learning as part of controlling their personal well-being, with the vast majority (83%) believing it is vitally important to keep your brain active. Similarly, 54% are motivated to stay sharp or promote brain health.”2

Research in 2016 on Lifelong learning in active ageing discourse: its conserving effect on wellbeing, health and vulnerability found that

…The findings of this study signify that continuous and ongoing participation in a community-based non-formal lifelong learning programme may work as a compensatory strategy for older adults by helping them sustain their psychological
wellbeing – an important source of support and protection for autonomy and self-management in later life. Continuing engagement in activities and relationships that they value can help older people focus on wellness rather than illness, despite chronic conditions and other challenges in later life. The role of later-life learning should be understood as far more than merely instrumental. Nevertheless, its conserving effect on wellbeing and health underscores the need for more strategic and unequivocal policies and practices to promote lifelong learning among older adults as a vital part of the active ageing framework.3

One of the outstanding contributors for lifelong learning opportunities for older or aging adults is the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). Founded in the fall of 2000, the Bernard Osher Foundation set out to support programs for mature adults that focused on “the joy of learning—without examinations or grades—and keeping in touch with the larger world.” The Foundation now supports 125 lifelong learning programs on university and college campuses throughout the United States. Each program is unique, but they all meet the same standards:

• A diverse repertoire of intellectually stimulating, non-credit courses and educational activities, specifically designed for people who are 50 years of age or older;
• Participants are offered membership and significant opportunities for volunteer engagement and leadership;
• Strong support from the host institution (including a commitment to provide space or cause space to be provided for program operations);
• Established mechanisms for evaluating member satisfaction with educational offerings; and
• A sound and stable organizational structure.4

In Orange County, California, we are blessed with several OLLI programs at California State University Fullerton; University of California, Irvine; and California State University Long Beach. Other institutions are listed on the foundation's website. Click on the link below for more information.

The Bernard Osher Foundation | List of Institutes

Of course there are other resources in communities for lifelong learning: senior centers, YMCAs, Emeritus programs, libraries, museums, and more.

There are many challenges for continuing education, skills development, and lifelong learning: transportation; mobility issues, cognitive decline, cost, availability, and location. Most of the research identifies these as obstructions as limiting the pool of test subjects. However, in studies where there has been a control group, the results indicate that participants who actively seek out learning or development opportunities are more likely to continue to do so.

Cheryl Stewart
​March 25, 2025