SENIOR LIVING: Health Aging Includes Life Long Learning with “WILL”

SENIOR LIVING= : Health Aging Includes Life Long Learning with “WILL”

By Frost McGahey, Guest Columnist and “WILL” Public<= /span> Relations Chair

A recent Senior Living column discussed the need to ke= ep our minds challenged as we age. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, mental decline appea= rs to be largely due to altered connections among brain cells. But research has found that keepin= g the brain active seems to increase its vitality and may build its reserves of b= rain cells and connections. ItR= 17;s even possible to generate new brain cells.=

Limited educational attainment has been found to be re= lated to a higher risk of Alzheimer’s later in life. Well-educated individuals can stil= l get Alzheimer’s, but symptoms may appear later because of this protective= effect.

The Alzheimer’s Association recommends that we c= ommit to continuing education and learning as we age. That’s where the Western Ins= titute of Lifelong Learning--WILL can contribute. It is a great way for people= who want to continue their education, but without the stresses of grades or tes= ts, or high tuition costs.

Patty Reed, a local psychotherapist and longtime Silver Schools’ board member, help found the Western Institute for Lifelong Learning in 2004. The Institute is based on a program at = Duke University, in which Patty’s mother was an instrumental participant. It offers short, non-credit courses geared to adults 50 years of age or older, although there is no age requirement for participation. Beginning in February, the Institute will offer its thi= rd round of classes.

“It’s very exciting to see us grow from of= fering three courses a semester to fourteen,” says Frank Merritt, the Curric= ulum committee chairperson. “= ;We are already working on next year’s courses and are interested in find= ing people who want to share their knowledge and experience. If anyone has a course they would = like to facilitate, please contact me at merrittroters@signalpeak.net.

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Sharing the knowledge of elders is a goal of the Consc= ious Aging Network.

CAN’s outreach program of “Untold Stories&= #8221; tries to preserve the life stories of local elders. This ties is with WILL’s course Memoir: A Gift of Self, facilitated by award-winning journalists Lew Little and Mary Ellen Corbett. According to Little and Corbett, t= he ultimate gift to yourself and to a world longing for deeper connections is = the literary form known as memoir.

Little and Corbett have designed an eight-week course = to motivate and guide participants at all levels in the exploration of the wri= ting maze. This course will cover = the nuts and bolts of putting together a memoir. Participants will start with a per= sonal time line and determine what will be included for maximum impact. Journalist’s checklists will= be used to make sure participants haven’t overlooked essential details.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Each individual will be able to recognize and honor their own unique voice.

Readin= g Out Loud: Adult Story Time is another class that can help people share their stories by making them more enjoyable to listen to. Jeannie Miller will give participa= nts coaching and direction on enhancing their reading aloud skills. Voice techniques and expressive mo= vement will be taught.

In the Healing, Health and History course, Dr. Griffon Campbell will explore western medicine while Dr. Arizaga will discuss the uses of herbs. Joe Saenz will inform participants about Apache approaches to healing. At the other end of the spectrum L= inda Ahner and Deb Melder will= present a class on Conscious Dying. This course will explore common bel= iefs, fears and desires for final life transition. Information will be provided on ho= w to make plans before death, and who will care for the body after death and applicable state laws. The gr= oup will discuss emotional, spiritual and mental preparations for death.

Earth Spirituality, facilitated by Shirley Pevarnik,= will explore spirituality as it relates to the earth and human consciousness. Pevarnik will explore how this spirituality is connected with evolving human consciousness and look into some of the historical perspectives that have separated spirituality and religion in the West.

Judith Meyer will teach a Wildflower Botanical Draw= ing class and Judy Brown-Lawson will guide participants through Beginning Frenc= h.

Other courses will in= clude Assemblage Art, The Middle East, Developing a Leadership Program, Southwest Indian Rock Art and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Two popular book clubs will also continue.

WILL’s courses are f= ree to members.&= nbsp; The only additional charges are for travel or transportation costs.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Membership fees are $50 per year f= or singles and $75 for couples who share the same postal and email address. For more information about WILL membership, classes, or registration visit www.will-learning.com or call 538-6835.