Lifelong Learning Thursday

Nancy Merz Nordstrom, author of Learning Later, Living Greater: The Secret of Making the Most of Your After 50 Years will share the benefits of Lifelong Learning on Thursdays.

LEARNING LATER, LIVING GREATER:
The Secret for Making the Most of Your After-50 Years.

…a Health Club for Your Mind. Body and Spirit!

Even more Next Chapters opportunities…

Wisdom Works! MetroHealth System–Cleveland, Ohio–

MetroHealth’s Wisdom Works! program is designed to help retain mature, experienced nurses in paid and volunteer positions to maintain access to care for vulnerable members of the community. In addition to identifying nursing roles appropriate for older nurses, the program identifies workplace modifications needed to keep older nurses and share best practices in retaining an older nursing workforce. This project is being expanded through a grant from the Elder Engagement component of The Cleveland Foundation’s Successful Aging Initiative.

Allegheny County Library Association–Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania–

The Allegheny County Library Association has organized partnerships to expand the educational options for older adults. Through the Third Age Learning Community, the University of Pittsburgh brings non-credit university-level classes to local libraries. The Senior Center Library Connection works with fifteen Pittsburgh-area senior resource centers to offer book discussion groups held alternative months at the centers and libraries. One Book One Community, in which residents read and discuss the same book at the same time, has worked well to engage older adults in learning and libraries.

OASIS Without Walls–Parma, Ohio–

OASIS is a national education organization aimed at enriching the lives of adults 50 and over. It offers creative lifelong learning classes in arts and humanities, wellness, life coaching, technology and other subjects. Through support from The Cleveland Foundation’s Successful Aging Initiative, programming at its Parma Center in Cleveland has been expanded through OASIS Without Walls, which takes lifelong learning activities into the community – everywhere from community and recreation centers to churches and libraries.

Tempe Connections–Tempe, Arizona-

Tempe Connections is part of the Maricopa County Next Chapter Initiative. It was developed under the leadership of the City of Tempe’s Public Library and Social Services Division. It creates a new physical space within the library that houses a café and program space. The café, called Connections Café, acts as a focal point for Next Chapter activities. Connected to the café are meeting rooms reserved specifically for Tempe Connections participants. A concierge is available to assist with questions and information referral.

Boomerang, Chandler Public Library-Chandler, Arizona–

Chandler’s Boomerang project is part of the Maricopa County Next Chapter Initiative. It was developed under the leadership of the Chandler Public Library and is a community project, not a single physical center. It is implemented through multiple points of entry, including community forums, six centers based at libraries and community colleges and a web site. It’s web site is the primary information source and a resource navigation tool, with links to project partners, available programs and services, and other relevant information sources not only within the local community, but also on a regional, state and national level.

Lehigh Valley Alliance on Aging, United Way of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania-

The Lehigh Valley Alliance on Aging’s web site provides a comprehensive one-stop vehicle for information for the region’s older adults and the professionals who serve them. The web site incorporates Benefits Check-Up, a benefits-finder tool, life planning information and resources for financial planning, lifelong learning, volunteering and social connections, a directory of local services, rights and benefits; and resources and a list-serve for professionals serving older adults.

Mather Café Plus, Chicago, Illinois–

Mather Café Plus was conceived of as a Starbucks for seniors. It combines a restaurant, a gathering place, and an educational center under one roof. The three Chicago-area Mather Cafés primarily serve active, independent older adults in their neighborhoods. Programs and classes on exercise, computers, and art supplement the restaurant. Day trips, monthly parties, and community events encourage new relationships and social interaction. Social workers and health care professionals are available to provide individual consultations and referrals. Connections with other senior groups and health care providers ensure strong support networks for those involved. The Mather Cafés are operated by the nonprofit Mather Lifeways Foundation.

For more information on the far-reaching and innovative work of Civic Ventures be sure to visit their web site at http://www.civicventures.org/.

THURSDAY’S THOUGHT…

What could be better in our retirement years then finding a source of enriched learning experiences among satisfying friendships. This is the philosophy of the Next Chapter initiative.

For more information on Learning Later, Living Greater visit http://www.learninglater.com/ You can purchase Learning Later, Living Greater at http://www.amazon.com/

Till Next Time…