Photo curtesy Ringling College: Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

In 2018, the United States Census Bureau released their updated report stating that, “By 2034, there will be 77.0 million people 65 years and older compared to 76.5 million under the age of 18.” This shift highlights a couple of key points.

First, the baby boomer generation will be older than age 65 therefore expanding the size of the population, resulting in one in every five residents in the U.S. being considered of retirement age. Second, it is predicted that in a couple of decades, older people will outnumber children for the first time in U.S. history. For most of us who have lived in Sarasota for some time, these statistics may not be that surprising. After all, we have known for a long time that we are one of the most popular retirement destinations in the country. But the statistics do pose an important question: How are we preparing for our own aging as we move into the future?

There is some great news about this shift. It means we are living longer, we are healthier, maybe even happier, and it is reported that the vast majority of older adults are remaining cognitively fit and more active as we continue to age. Advances in medicine, healthcare, technology, and nutrition have all played important roles in this new age shift — but one other scientifically-proven way we can combat the effects of aging is to stimulate our minds and remain engaged in creative and educational activities.

In addition to remaining “switched on,” it is equally important, maybe more so in many cases, to seek out activities and pastimes which bring joy, camaraderie, and a sense of belonging. For what seemed like too long during the pandemic, this was especially difficult to do. So now that we seem to be on the other side of the pandemic, it is crucial to get up, get out, and explore those activities that are of interest. By engaging in these experiences, not only are you stimulating your mind and using your creativity, but you simultaneously combat other negative factors such as isolation and loneliness. 

Lucky for us, Sarasota is home to myriad lifelong learning opportunities in this community for people of all ages. The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, or OLLI, at Ringling College provides one of the most robust offerings for those aged 50 or better. Located at Sarasota Art Museum on the Ringling College Museum Campus, there is something for everyone with nearly 200 opportunities ranging from art and culture, to food and travel, science and technology, history, languages, film and book reviews, and more. These classes, lectures, group discussions, are not graded — they exist purely for the joy of learning and spending quality and engaged time among your peers.

In addition to OLLI at Ringling College, Sarasota Art Museum offers studio classes under their moniker, The Studios @ SAM. These are “making” opportunities including the likes of painting, drawing, ceramics, and jewelry making. Similar studio classes are also offered at the College’s Englewood Art Center, down south. 

In a recent report researched and published by the American Alliance of Museums, they define the term ageism as “a pervasive form of prejudice that can have detrimental social, psychological, and economic consequences.” Ageism harms everyone, but has been found to disproportionately impact women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Ageism can unfortunately lead to loneliness, which is then linked to a decline in physical and mental health, as well as increased stress on families and caregivers. But there’s good news, too. That same report also found that scientifically, as we become older, we attain a new level of wisdom, insight, and creativity that was not possible to reach during our younger years. There is a whole science behind this, but the crux of it all is that as happier and wiser individuals, we become more open as we age to new experiences and different people. 

Epidemiologist and aging specialist Dr. Alexandre Kalache said, “We are privileged to live at this time of a revolution in longevity. It will be a tragedy for humanity if we mess it up.” Okay, so let’s not! Become a member of OLLI at Ringling College, visit Sarasota Art Museum, finally take that ceramics class… your friends, your family, your health, and your soul will thank you for it. 

Dr. Larry Thompson is president of Ringling College of Art & Design.

Photo curtesy Ringling College: Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.