Shimer College is a small liberal institution based in Chicago, Illinois that has begun to offer free programs to seniors. As post-retirement life becomes extended due to longer lifespans, better healthcare and more, older individuals are searching for more meaningful ways to pass the time. What is more meaningful that learning? According to Huffington Post, "People aged 65 and older currently make up a little more than 13 percent of the U.S. population and as the Baby Boomers age into senior-dom, that number will surely rise." Shimer College takes this and more into account with its inclusiveness.
By doing so, Shimer College also fosters different perspectives in the classroom. Generational differences are as eye-opening as gender and racial ones.
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Senior Education Programs
- Initiatives and institutions will offer free or low-cost programs for post-retired individuals to engage in lifelong learning.
- Inclusive Learning Environments
- Educational institutions will develop programs that foster different perspective in the classroom, including those brought by senior learners.
- Extended Retirement Life
- The increase in life expectancies and demand for meaningful activities during retirement will create new opportunities for businesses catering to senior citizens.
Sectors Adopting This
- Education
- Institutions, such as community colleges and universities, will expand their offerings to include free or low-cost programs for senior citizens.
- Tourism
- Travel agencies and tour operators will create experiential learning and adventure tours for senior citizens looking for meaningful activities during retirement.
- Healthcare
- Healthcare providers will offer wellness and fitness programs for post-retired individuals to improve physical and mental health, and to encourage lifelong learning and socialization.
