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You’re never too old to learn something new. In fact, active learning keeps your brain young and healthy. Research shows that learning something new stimulates memory and critical thinking in people of all ages. Older adults can build up a cognitive reserve through learning that can be replenished at any time.

Benefits of Classes For Senior Citizens

There are many benefits to be gained by staying active and keeping the mind engaged. Many older adults are going back to school these days, in traditional college courses, as well as vocational and classes taken for fun and relaxation. Participation in programs like these offers socialization, happiness, lower stress levels, and improved cognition. “Use it or lose it” is the key here. The more you train your mind, the better your cognition will be as you age.

Educational Classes For Senior Citizens

What type of senior classes are available? Anything you want to learn, somewhere there is a class for it. Computers, religious studies, cooking, pottery-making, dance, self-defense, and more. Including more formal education classes such as:

  • Psychology and Sociology classes
  • Movie critiquing classes
  • Science and Health
  • Foreign Languages
  • Literature
  • Writing

Free Online Classes

Udemy, Skillshare, Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, and Khan Academy are online learning platforms offering free or reduced-cost classes on many subjects. Class Central is a website with courses from 900+ universities.

College Classes For Seniors

Your local community college or university is a great place to find seniors classes. Older adults can choose from the multitude of programs offered. Institutes of higher education encourage older students to join by offering free courses for seniors over 65. At least 40 states have free online courses for senior citizens. Just Google “classes for seniors near me” to get a listing of colleges in your area.

Artistic and Creative Classes

If your loved one has an affinity for art, music, or science, then they will benefit from creative classes. This includes painting, sculpting, drawing, handmade crafts, language learning, and more.

Exercise Classes

Chair yoga, weight lifting, stretching, water aerobics, resistance band workouts, Pilates, and tai chi are just a few of the classes listed in the exercise category. Exercise is great for keeping the mind sharp and the body energized. Walking is an exercise that is more fun with other people. Although it isn’t a class, you may be able to join a walking group or club in your neighborhood.

How To Find Classes For Your Loved One

Check with your local college or university for available courses. They will have a wealth of free and paid courses to choose from.

Talk it over with your loved one to find out what subjects they would be interested in learning about. Once you know their preferences, it should be easy to find classes based on their choices.

AARP is also a good source of information when looking for senior classes. They can point you in the right direction for finding sources for education and fun classes for seniors.

Other Sources of Learning

YouTube is a video platform where users can upload their own video tutorials, cooking recipes, and more. Many YouTube vloggers make video recipes for their country’s cuisine.

One popular vlogger by the name of Maangchi, shares her love of Korean food through recipes on her channel. YouTube is just one platform. There are other sites such as Tasty, Pinterest, and Food Network that have cooking videos.

Join a Book Club to satisfy that urge for a good mystery or who-done-it. Book clubs meet to discuss the story that everyone is reading, chosen at the beginning. They offer the opportunity to socialize, make friends, and share your opinion on the book being discussed.

How do you educate a senior citizen?

Some seniors learn best by taking a hands-on approach. Meaning that seeing and doing works best for them. Courses that offer classroom instruction, as well as physical practice, help them assimilate the information and retain it better.

At what age is a person classified as a senior citizen?

It is generally accepted that anyone 62 years of age or older is considered a senior citizen. Restaurants often offer a senior discount for those 60 years and older. When checking courses for seniors, the age may be different. You’ll need to find out what age the college is using to determine eligibility for classes for older adults.

Check out our podcast on senior living resources. Whether you plan to care for your loved one long-term, or only temporarily, it’s never too early to look into finding active senior communities. Our senior advisors are eager to help you find the perfect senior community!

About the author : Veronica Quiñones

headshot of Veronica Quiñones

Owner and Senior Advisor

Article by:

Veronica Quiñones

Owner and Senior Advisor

headshot of Veronica Quiñones

Share this article on social media!

You’re never too old to learn something new. In fact, active learning keeps your brain young and healthy. Research shows that learning something new stimulates memory and critical thinking in people of all ages. Older adults can build up a cognitive reserve through learning that can be replenished at any time.

Benefits of Classes For Senior Citizens

There are many benefits to be gained by staying active and keeping the mind engaged. Many older adults are going back to school these days, in traditional college courses, as well as vocational and classes taken for fun and relaxation. Participation in programs like these offers socialization, happiness, lower stress levels, and improved cognition. “Use it or lose it” is the key here. The more you train your mind, the better your cognition will be as you age.

Educational Classes For Senior Citizens

What type of senior classes are available? Anything you want to learn, somewhere there is a class for it. Computers, religious studies, cooking, pottery-making, dance, self-defense, and more. Including more formal education classes such as:

  • Psychology and Sociology classes
  • Movie critiquing classes
  • Science and Health
  • Foreign Languages
  • Literature
  • Writing

Free Online Classes

Udemy, Skillshare, Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, and Khan Academy are online learning platforms offering free or reduced-cost classes on many subjects. Class Central is a website with courses from 900+ universities.

College Classes For Seniors

Your local community college or university is a great place to find seniors classes. Older adults can choose from the multitude of programs offered. Institutes of higher education encourage older students to join by offering free courses for seniors over 65. At least 40 states have free online courses for senior citizens. Just Google “classes for seniors near me” to get a listing of colleges in your area.

Artistic and Creative Classes

If your loved one has an affinity for art, music, or science, then they will benefit from creative classes. This includes painting, sculpting, drawing, handmade crafts, language learning, and more.

Exercise Classes

Chair yoga, weight lifting, stretching, water aerobics, resistance band workouts, Pilates, and tai chi are just a few of the classes listed in the exercise category. Exercise is great for keeping the mind sharp and the body energized. Walking is an exercise that is more fun with other people. Although it isn’t a class, you may be able to join a walking group or club in your neighborhood.

How To Find Classes For Your Loved One

Check with your local college or university for available courses. They will have a wealth of free and paid courses to choose from.

Talk it over with your loved one to find out what subjects they would be interested in learning about. Once you know their preferences, it should be easy to find classes based on their choices.

AARP is also a good source of information when looking for senior classes. They can point you in the right direction for finding sources for education and fun classes for seniors.

Other Sources of Learning

YouTube is a video platform where users can upload their own video tutorials, cooking recipes, and more. Many YouTube vloggers make video recipes for their country’s cuisine.

One popular vlogger by the name of Maangchi, shares her love of Korean food through recipes on her channel. YouTube is just one platform. There are other sites such as Tasty, Pinterest, and Food Network that have cooking videos.

Join a Book Club to satisfy that urge for a good mystery or who-done-it. Book clubs meet to discuss the story that everyone is reading, chosen at the beginning. They offer the opportunity to socialize, make friends, and share your opinion on the book being discussed.

How do you educate a senior citizen?

Some seniors learn best by taking a hands-on approach. Meaning that seeing and doing works best for them. Courses that offer classroom instruction, as well as physical practice, help them assimilate the information and retain it better.

At what age is a person classified as a senior citizen?

It is generally accepted that anyone 62 years of age or older is considered a senior citizen. Restaurants often offer a senior discount for those 60 years and older. When checking courses for seniors, the age may be different. You’ll need to find out what age the college is using to determine eligibility for classes for older adults.

Check out our podcast on senior living resources. Whether you plan to care for your loved one long-term, or only temporarily, it’s never too early to look into finding active senior communities. Our senior advisors are eager to help you find the perfect senior community!

Article by:

Veronica Quiñones

Owner and Senior Advisor

headshot of Veronica Quiñones