Back to School Not Just for Children
As Told by Butterfly’s Resident LMR Eldercare Contributor, Lisa Bayer
Lisa Bayer, J.D., CCM, Certified Geriatric Care Manager, is President of LMR Eldercare, LLC, a private elder care advocacy firm located in northern New Jersey.
Labor Day often coincides with back to school for children and young adults across the nation. But expanding one’s education, or helping someone else foster theirs, should not be limited to those under 30. There are boundless opportunities for older adults to go back to school to earn a degree or simply to learn about and participate with an area of interest or a new hobby.
Often a good place to start is one’s own community. Senior and Community centers as well as local faith-based groups such as those held at churches and synagogues often bring in speakers, facilitate book groups, or organize classes to learn games such as bridge and mah jong. Frequently the Board of Education where you live offers Adult learning classes in subjects ranging from cooking to plumbing to learning to play piano. If your township does not offer classes, or any that interest you, call around to nearby communities. And when you register do not forget to ask if there is a senior discount. If it is hard to travel because of difficulty ambulating or because of your own caregiver responsibilities, DOROT offers telephone programs that can be accessed throughout the United States and even some countries abroad. Visit www.DOROTUSA.org for more information.
Of course, you may decide to pursue your education in a more formal area such as enrolling in a nearby university or vocational school. Or maybe you always wanted to get your real estate license? The opportunities are boundless and often schools will allow you to audit a class for a reduced fee just to see if this is something you want to commit to both financially and with your time.
If being a student is not something that interests you right now consider going back to school as the teacher. Contact your local community centers to offer to lead or teach your peers in an area of your expertise. This could be anything from knitting to computers to fly fishing! Consider offering your services as a guest lecturer at a college or become a SCORE volunteer through a partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration by visiting www.SCORE.org/volunteer.
Back to Elder Care
Visit Lisa's Profile Page
Lisa Bayer, J.D., CCM, Certified Geriatric Care Manager, is President of LMR Eldercare, LLC, a private elder care advocacy firm located in northern New Jersey.
Labor Day often coincides with back to school for children and young adults across the nation. But expanding one’s education, or helping someone else foster theirs, should not be limited to those under 30. There are boundless opportunities for older adults to go back to school to earn a degree or simply to learn about and participate with an area of interest or a new hobby.
Often a good place to start is one’s own community. Senior and Community centers as well as local faith-based groups such as those held at churches and synagogues often bring in speakers, facilitate book groups, or organize classes to learn games such as bridge and mah jong. Frequently the Board of Education where you live offers Adult learning classes in subjects ranging from cooking to plumbing to learning to play piano. If your township does not offer classes, or any that interest you, call around to nearby communities. And when you register do not forget to ask if there is a senior discount. If it is hard to travel because of difficulty ambulating or because of your own caregiver responsibilities, DOROT offers telephone programs that can be accessed throughout the United States and even some countries abroad. Visit www.DOROTUSA.org for more information.
Of course, you may decide to pursue your education in a more formal area such as enrolling in a nearby university or vocational school. Or maybe you always wanted to get your real estate license? The opportunities are boundless and often schools will allow you to audit a class for a reduced fee just to see if this is something you want to commit to both financially and with your time.
If being a student is not something that interests you right now consider going back to school as the teacher. Contact your local community centers to offer to lead or teach your peers in an area of your expertise. This could be anything from knitting to computers to fly fishing! Consider offering your services as a guest lecturer at a college or become a SCORE volunteer through a partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration by visiting www.SCORE.org/volunteer.
LMR Elder Care
http://www.LMReldercare.comBack to Elder Care
Visit Lisa's Profile Page
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Tags: adult classes, adult community, eldercare, lisa bayer, lmr eldercare, parent care, parents, senior center, senior community
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