By Chris Cournoyer
e-mail: webmaster@ccx.net
Domain: www.ccx.net

It’s never too soon…or too late…for learning!

Continuing education classes, seminars, tours and other programming targeted at seniors provide opportunities for intellectually stimulating, affordable, non-credit learning and for meaningful social engagement. By participating in one of these activities, you can become part of a growing and dynamic community of senior adults who understand that life is enhanced through learning.

The Community Colleges of the Quad Cities offer a wide range of Continuing Education classes specifically intended for older students. Classes range from basic computers to finance, from food to, art, from
gardening to history.. Some classes even include trips and tours as well as physical fitness. Most of these classes are just a day or two in length and they’re extremely affordable. Some are even completely online – no classrooms at all!

For those of you interested in enhancing your computer skills, classes include:: Introduction to the Personal Computer as well as training in the whole array of Microsoft products: Word Processing (Word), Spreadsheets (Excel), Databases (Acess), Presentation Graphics (Powerpoint), Desktop Publishing (Publisher) and Email Communication/Scheduling (Outlook). There are even classes in web page creation and Internet Social Networking, which focuses on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and LinkIn.

On the Iowa Side of the river, Eastern Iowa Community College District’s Continuing Education Department offers a multitude of short-term classes specifically intended for older students.. These classes are designed for individuals interested in pursuing a hobby or specific interest, or for those interested in upgrading a job skill. In addition to those classes designed just for older adults, many of their traditional Continuing Education classes will interest seniors as well.

For program schedules and more information on classes, visit: http://www.eicc.edu/adultlearning/programs/senior/senior.html

For more information in the Clinton/Maquoketa area, call: 563-244-7040; in the Muscatine area, call Cathy Deters: 563-288-6165, and in the Quad Cities area, call Gale Roeder: 563-336-3450

On the Illinois side of the river, Black Hawk College offers a variety of learning opportunities through their “Golden Scholars” program that involves a series of: “Lunch & Learn” programs as well as Senior Computer Classes that range from “Cell Phone Tips”and “Getting Started with Your Computer” to “Emailing Basics” and “Finding Friends on Facebook”.

Black Hawk College’s classes are offered at their Outreach Center located at 301 Avenue of the Cities, East Moline, Illnois and their Technology Center at Watch Tower Plaza located at 3930 11th Street, Rock Island, Illnois. For more inforatmion, visit their website at: http://il-blackhawk2.civicplus.com/index.aspx?NID=162

What better time than now to learn? If you are remotely curious, why not try a class today! Learning is truly life long!

James Taylor was absolutely correct; it IS good to know that you’ve got a friend. John Lennon and Paul McCartney were right on the money when they penned the words “Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends.” And Burt Bacharach and his friend Carol Bayer Sager wrote, “In good times and bad times, I’ll be on your side forevermore. That’s what friends are for.”

These are wonderful songs that extol the virtues of friendship and several recent studies suggest that socialization can actually help you to live a longer, happier and healthier life. Loneliness for a person of any age is a curse, but for an older person, it can be hazardous to their health. People who are withdrawn or isolated in their homes often succumb to depression, which in turn makes them susceptible to many diseases including malnutrition, heart disease, alcoholism, diabetes and perhaps, cancer. “But just as loneliness can destroy a person’s life, socializing can save it. In a 13 year study published in 1999 of almost 3,000 senior citizens, Harvard researchers found that social activities such as playing bingo or attending church were as important to survival as regular exercise. That’s right: when it comes to adding years to one’s life, looking for bingo’s O-62 is right up there with jogging‚” states Chris Woolston of Consumer Health Interactive.

“The working hypothesis is that social engagement is what makes you mentally engaged,” said Lisa F. Berkman, the study’s senior author and director of the Harvard Center for Population and Development. What else is notable about the study is that seniors didn’t have to be married or surrounded by extensive family to receive the positive benefits of social engagement. The importance lies in the many opportunities to connect with their contemporaries.

Seniors get more out of socializing than just a few extra years of life. Friendships, recreation and activities reduce stress, allow people to feel worthy and needed, and stimulate the mind. A recent report in the Annals of Internal Medicine20states that “Strong social contacts offer powerful protection against the mental declines that go along with aging. And having strong friendships can also add years to one’s life.”

The opportunity for socializing is the top benefit of senior living. Successful senior living is all about choice, dignity and quality of life. Active and socially engaging surroundings help residents to make those ever so important friendships that will help them to maintain their health and provide a strong sense of purpose.

At The Fountains Active Retirement Community, each day is filled with occasions to socialize. The Fountains provides opportunities designed for senior interests and health, including social and fitness activities, continuing education and other pursuits designed to keep one’s mind sharp and body fit.

Food, Fun and Friendship-It’s All Here at The Fountains. Senior living options at The Fountains include Independent Apartments, Assisted Living Residences, Dementia Memory Care Suites, Villas and Town Homes.

To learn more about the socialization opportunities offered at The Fountains, or to schedule your personal tour call Becky at (563) 332-5775 or (563) 676-6750.