Lifelong Learning
The Lifelong Learning issue area focuses on building an integrated lifelong learning system that expands opportunities for older adults to engage in learning opportunities that are responsive to their interests, learning styles and needs.
Recommendations
Lifelong Learning
Goal 5
Increase learning opportunities for older adults.
Objectives
- Increase availability of life transitions/retirement planning by offering a program of self assessment and information that can be delivered by multiple agencies. Use a peer leader approach.
- Increase the number of topics, venues and styles of educational programs available including topics on local community needs, personal creativity, long term care planning, healthy activity, chronic disease management, caregiving skills, grandparenting skills etc.
Goal 6
Increase collaboration among existing providers of older adult education.
Objectives
- Increase input from older adults in the educational offerings through participation in such things as program planning, topic selection, promotion, teaching.
- Develop a shared planning process to identify programming gaps, instructor availability, and strategies for reaching populations with less formal education and/or not served by current programs.
- Build a process to share promotion of educational opportunities through such things as a joint calendar.
Work Group
Co-Chairs
- Beverly Drake - Area Community Services Employment and Training Council
- Priscilla Kimboko, Ph.D. - Grand Valley State University
Members
- Emilie Azkoul - St. Mary's Health Care
- Nora Barkey - Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan
- Ginni Blanchard - RSVP Senior Neighbors
- Ralph Dick - Calvin Academy of Continued Learning (CALL)
- Sylvia Hopson - Area Community Services Employment & Training Council (ACSET)
- Jacquie Karr-Zlotnickie - Holland Home
- Helen Kinsworthy - Senior Leadership-Grand Rapids Community College
- Julie Lake - Brookcrest
- Kate Luckert - Grand Rapids Community Foundation
- Susan Morales-Barias - Heart of West Michigan United Way
- Alice O'Connor - Senior Leadership-Grand Rapids Community College
- Judy Palmer - Grand Forum-Grand Valley State University
- Bob Perl - Clark Retirement Community
- Sandy Purcell - AARP
- Carol Rienstra - Calvin Academy of Continued Learning (CALL)
- Jan Rosochacki - Grand Rapids Home for the Veterans
- Deb Snow - Advocates for Seniors
- Tolly Stiffler - Senior Leadership Grand Rapids
- Mary Jean Waddell - Calvin Academy of Continued Learning (CALL)
- Ingrid Weaver - Porter Hills Retirement Community
- Beth Zeldes - Senior Advisory Services