Communities offer educational programs

Dr. George Stosur, a retired geoscientist, gives a lecture to his fellow residents at Asbury Methodist Village in Gaithersburg, Maryland. A number of local retirement communities have robust lifelong learning programs run by, and often featuring, residents. Photo by Rhoda MacKenzie

By Margaret Foster
Posted on July 11, 2024

We’re never too old to learn something new.

When retiree Bill Brown moved to Asbury Methodist Village, he started attending evening presentations in his new community in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

For just a dollar or two at the door, he could listen to experts from NIH, NASA or the NSA talk about gene editing, rocket science and codebreaking. Each lecture is arranged by the residents themselves, who also organize daily classes on site.

“It’s a way of keeping the mind alive. We remain curious and interested in what’s going on,” said Brown, who is now the president of Asbury’s continuing education program.

Twice a week, an average of 150 people show up for a lecture on, say, the CIA under John F. Kennedy, or a review of Amelia Earhart’s life.

Entirely run by and for residents of Asbury Methodist Village, the program was established in 1978 by resident Dr. William A. Keese. The first year, Keese organized four presentations.

“Now we’re up to as many as 50 presentations a year, and 10 to 12 [ongoing] daytime classes,” Brown said.

Research has found that lifelong learning boosts self-esteem, happiness and overall well-being, and can delay the onset of dementia.

Much to choose from

Other local communities offer similar in-house educational programs.

No need to go to Politics & Prose for a book signing. The Carnegie at Washingtonian Center, also located in Gaithersburg, Maryland, plans to bring authors directly to the property, scheduled to open next month.

Last March, it hosted none other than journalist and investigative reporter Carl Bernstein. The Pulitzer Prize-winner spoke as part of the community’s Red Carpet Series.

“As a Kisco Signature community, The Carnegie will provide our residents with opportunities like this that inspire intellectual stimulation and growth,” said Gene Smallwood, vice president of operations for Kisco Senior Living, in a statement.

A soon-to-open community in Dupont Circle will also offer programming to keep residents’ minds active.

Inspīr Embassy Row plans high-end, in-house programming such as comedy shows, opera recitals, classical music concerts, trips to the Kennedy Center and Ford’s Theatre, and classes in partnerships with local universities.

“We’re really into live entertainment as well as lifelong learning,” said Laurie Thomas, Inspīr Embassy Row’s executive director.

Resident-run programs

At Riderwood, an Erickson Senior Living property in Silver Spring, Maryland, a committee of residents organizes special presentations by experts. For example, a retired NSA official, himself a resident of the community, recently spoke about female codebreakers during World War II.

Residents of Falcons Landing, a Life Plan community in Potomac Falls, Virginia, have access to a continuing education program as well as online classes on history, science and literature through The Great Courses. They also can join an on-campus computer club, investment club, book club or the Great Decisions Group, a club that discusses global affairs.

In addition to their educational presentations, Falcons Landing’s board of directors awards $5,000 scholarships to a teenager from each of the 17 Loudoun County public schools.

Asbury Methodist Village has a similar scholarship program. Its committees raise funds for tuition assistance for people who work in the facility’s dining rooms.

Last year, residents gave awards of $2,200 each to 21 recipients. They raise the money from donations and excess class registration fees.

“We’ve had young people [employed here] who have received education awards several years in a row and have been able to earn their degrees. Many of them are working part-time and are also going to school.

“If we can provide some support there, that’s a good thing. It’s also a way for us as residents to say thank you to these young people,” Brown said.

Brown says he’s fortunate to live among people who have so much to teach others.

One resident, a retired Shakespeare professor, offers daytime classes on the bard’s plays, for instance, and many others step up to give evening lectures on history and science — or urge former colleagues to do so.

“We are blessed that here on campus we have an extraordinary range of experience and talent,” Brown said.