Older adults have historically had a strong interest
in continuing education. Having reached their 60s, 70s,
80s or 90s, many people enjoy the opportunity to follow
their intellectual interests without the burden of tests
and grades. As a senior, it is possible to truly embrace
learning for its own sake: to find the sheer joy of
acquiring knowledge.
But it turns out that there is indeed a strong health
benefit in pursuing intellectual interests as we age.
According to Dr. Richard London, medical director of
the Memory Care Centers of St. Michael and St. Francis
hospitals, recent research demonstrates that using your
brain helps to keep it strong.
“The best way to exercise the brain is to constantly
learn new information and new skills,” said Dr.
London. “While there is much that we still do
not understand about serious memory loss and how it
originates, it is now clear that keeping the mind engaged
and acquiring new knowledge can help prevent or delay
Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders,”
London added.
Another important benefit of continuing education is
that it can also lower the risk for depression, which
is common among older adults. “Because continuing
education engages the mind, offers a social outlet and
keeps the participant in an intellectually active mode,
it can help prevent depression,” said John Schesta,
clinical psychologist at Covenant Behavioral Health.
Dr. Shawn Antle, a geriatrician at Covenant Senior Health
at Alexian Village, adds that continuing education is
a healthy choice from a holistic point of view.
“In all people, and especially in older adults,
the wellness of mind and body are closely intertwined.
Intellectual vitality has a very healthy effect on the
body. My patients who are intellectually engaged, on
the whole, enjoy better health,” Dr. Antle said.
Area Catholic organizations that serve seniors are very
aware of the importance of continuing education, and
a wide range of classes on many topics are available
locally, usually for free or for very nominal fees.
At Covenant Healthcare, the senior Vitality and Independence
Program (VIP) offers classes every fall and spring,
primarily on topics related to health and wellness.
For example, this fall they’ll have classes that
teach you how to live with arthritis, exercise even
if you have limitations, make the most of your doctor
visits, take care of your memory, maintain your driving
skills, and use the new Medicare prescription drug benefit.
Continuing education on health topics offers the added
benefit of helping older adults to practice prevention,
make better health choices and improve their access
to needed health services. For information about these
classes, individuals can call toll-free at (877) 2-COVENANT
—(877) 226-8362) — or visit the Web at <www.covenantseniors.com>.
At Alexian Village of Milwaukee, continuing education
courses are available on a very wide variety of topics
through the Alexian Institute.
“The art, computer and spirituality courses we
offer tend to have the highest student turn-out,”
said Ellen Nowak, director of the Alexian Institute.
The Alexian Institute began offering classes nearly
three years ago. The non-credit continuing education
classes are specifically designed with the more mature
student in mind.
“The average age of our students is somewhere
near 70; however they are all young at heart and willing
to learn new things, which makes them ageless,”
said Nowak.
All the classes are held at the Alexian Brothers Pavilion,
9225 N. 76th St. The Alexian Institute has taken the
summer off, and new classes begin in September. In addition
to unique class offerings, frequently in conjunction
with Covenant, Alexian will partner with the Alzheimer’s
Association to provide education to families and caregivers
of people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and
related dementias.
“We are trying to fulfill the needs of an ever-growing
segment of our community,” said Nowak.
“Caregivers need support, and we are hoping our
partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association will
provide both the respite and continuing education caregivers
are looking for,” she said. To receive information
about upcoming classes and events, interested individuals
may call (414) 357-5100.
Older adults with an interest in continuing education
may also consider the Guild for Learning in Retirement
at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, which can
be reached at (414) 227-3222. If travel and exploration
are more your style, you may want to contact Elder Hostel
by calling (877) 426-8056 or by visiting the Web at
<www.elderhostel.org>.
The best approach to healthy aging is to stay alert,
involved and engaged in the world around us. Continuing
education offers a lively interest that can lower your
risk for memory loss and depression, while helping you
to find the greatest joy in living each day.
(Ellis, a registered nurse and geriatric, clinical
nurse specialist, is director of Covenant Healthcare’s
Senior Health.) 
