Written by Dr. Katie Ehlman,听Director of Gerontology and Director, Center for Healthy Aging and Wellness
Education is the theme of the third issue of bOLDer People. When I think about education, my mind jumps to learning. Learning is active, and with learning comes a spirit of agency. We are all capable of learning no matter our age.听听听
Education can be acquired in many different ways. For instance, a person can attend a traditional university setting. Another can design and perform a scientific experiment. And other people may watch a how-to video on YouTube. Without a person鈥檚 willingness to learn, the value of education is limited.听 听
91社区鈥檚 mission includes the words 鈥渓ifetime learners.鈥� I can see examples of this learning at 91社区 when I look into the 91社区 classroom and notice the traditional 91社区 students who are committing to continuing their learning with a post-secondary degree. I see it when I advise non-traditional students who are choosing to continue their education as adult learners. I see it in the work of the GWEP, as much of our programming revolves around offering learning opportunities for caregivers, future health care professionals, providers and people living with chronic diseases.听听听
Educational offerings, like those mentioned above, create opportunities for learning.听听听
The value of traditional educational offerings cannot be diminished, but I can鈥檛 help thinking about the informal opportunities for learning that happen across the lifespan. In a moment of reflection, my mom, who just turned 80, shared with me how she continues to learn, especially when she connects with new and different people. My mom鈥檚 thoughts are in line with the 2022 World Health Organization report on Optimizing Brain Health Across the Life Course where 鈥淟earning and Social Connection鈥� are listed as one of the five brain health determinants to optimize greater well-being. Our personal interactions create opportunities for learning about each other and ourselves. We鈥檙e all lifetime learners.听
