One of the greatest advantages of moving into a maintenance-free senior living community is all the free time you’ll have on your hands. The less time you spend on home upkeep, yard work and unexpected repairs, the more time you have to do what you love. For many seniors living in retirement communities, doing what they love means taking advantage of educational opportunities and remaining intellectually engaged. Often, this is referred to as continuing education or lifelong learning.
Classes and courses, like those offered at Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes (OLLI), let older adults pursue their passions and stay connected to their local communities. Ideal for Morningside of Fullerton residents, Orange County is home to renowned universities, continuing education organizations, public libraries and museums that offer an array of opportunities for gaining new knowledge.
The options are endless.
From exploring new technologies and learning new languages to enhancing physical wellness and delving into the arts, Orange County has a lot of options for seniors to stay intellectually active. Here are a few programs that help older adults enrich their lives by staying engaged:
- California State University, Fullerton (CSUF): Interested in picking up a new language? Or maybe you’ve always wanted to refine your poetry skills but just never had the chance? With CSUF’s OLLI program, you can enroll in anything from Archaeology to Sports Talk.
- University of California, Irvine (UCI): UCI, which ranked among the nation’s top 10 universities, also has an OLLI program that provides a wide range of courses designed specifically for older adults. Subjects include history, science, literature, arts and current events. These noncredit courses are aimed at stimulating intellectual curiosity and fostering a community of learners.
- North Orange Continuing Education (NOCE): With communication, creative arts, nutrition and mature driver courses, you’re in for a well-rounded continuing education experience with NOCE’s Emeritus Program. The program offers classes throughout the North Orange County Community College District at both Cypress and Fullerton College, in-person and on Zoom.
- Orange County Public Libraries (OCPL): OCPL operates over 30 branches throughout the county, and its Older Adults program offers classes and resources to encourage the continuing education of seniors in the area. With a Mobile Library and Books by Mail service, lifelong learning can take place in the comfort of your residence. They also host technology courses, workshops on decluttering, and adult conversation and crafting classes.
- Local Community Centers: The YMCA of Fullerton, Downtown Anaheim Community Center, Brookhurst Community Center – these centers provide excellent opportunities for older adults to stay engaged, learn new skills and find personal fulfillment. From art and technology classes to line dancing and Longevity Stick balance classes, the options are endless.
- Museums and Cultural Institutions: Places like the Bowers Museum and the Orange County Museum of Art not only make for engaging day trips, but they also offer lectures, workshops and special programs that provide educational enrichment for adults.
Lifelong Learning at Morningside of Fullerton
Although Orange County offers unique learning opportunities for older adults, while living at Morningside of Fullerton, you don’t even have to step foot out of the community to learn a new thing or two. Your neighbors are retired professors, writers and engineers who make lifelong learning the heart of their retirement lifestyle.
For instance, Barbara V., a resident at Morningside, is now retired from her 50-year-long teaching career in higher education. She chose Morningside specifically for its five-minute drive to CSUF where she now continues to teach French as a volunteer for the university’s OLLI program.
Every month, Morningside residents also get to enjoy a packed with educational lectures and seminars, engaging clubs and discussions, and classes such as creative writing and mixed media arts.
Experience It for Yourself.
To get a glimpse of all the lifelong learning opportunities at Morningside of Fullerton, we encourage you to visit and experience life at our community firsthand. Contact us to schedule a tour.
