Learning continues as we age. While many seniors explore options like free college classes and continuing education programs, The Goodman Group takes another approach by continuously working to create new life enrichment opportunities that bring engaging education directly to residents.

“People have a yearn to learn,” notes Karen B., national director of life enrichment at The Goodman Group. “As you age, you never stop being curious.”

The benefits of lifelong learning are well-known. Satisfying your curiosity helps keep your mind sharp, hands-on activities can help maintain physical strength and agility and group activities introduce you to new friends with similar interests. All of these endeavors give seniors a continuing sense of accomplishment and purpose.

Simply put, lifelong learning makes you happy and helps you feel accomplished. With that philosophy in mind, The Goodman Group created Lifelong U, a learning series that connects top-tier speakers with seniors who reside in our managed communities across the country. The goal is to help residents learn, grow and thrive.

Karen says they are already “grabbing hold and loving it!”

ENGAGING PRESENTATIONS

The cost and logistics of bringing nationally- or internationally-known speakers to our communities one at a time would be prohibitive. Instead, the speakers deliver their presentations via Zoom or another similar platform, allowing residents in multiple communities around the country to attend at once. This creates an opportunity for residents to connect with peers they wouldn’t normally see while enjoying the presentations. The program is open to all care levels, as appropriate.

Programs typically last one hour and encourage active participation. Residents can use the chat box to ask questions during the presentation, while mics are unmuted at the end for a group Q&A session. The speakers provide guidance with a list of questions and things to discuss after their talk, helping residents continue the conversation long after the presentation ends.

NO SHORTAGE OF APPEALING TOPICS

To get the ball rolling, Karen connected with Dan Hudak, owner of a speakers bureau called Hudak on Hollywood. They discussed topic and speaker opportunities that would be especially engaging for seniors. Hudak’s company offers a huge variety of interesting programs, everything from travelogs to watching an osprey nest in Montana.

The collaboration has already produced impressive results. As of mid-2025, there have been six programs, two of them in June – “Pride Around the World” and a history of Juneteenth. In July, the presentation covered “Presidential Precedents: The Ultimate Influencers.”

Karen says the response has been very positive. Residents say the program is interesting, engaging–just great! And they want more, eagerly offering suggestions.

This enthusiasm is shaping the program's future. Now that Lifelong U is underway, life enrichment teams will convene resident focus groups to uncover topics of particular interest. The feedback survey residents fill out after each talk also asks for future topic suggestions. The requests reveal both local interests and universal curiosity.

For example, many residents in Arizona, especially Flagstaff, ask about the Grand Canyon. And since there is a large Navajo population in that area, there is special interest in learning more about the Navajo Nation. While these topics may appear location-specific, they often appeal to a much broader audience.

“We’re always looking for what else is out there.” The program has gained attention from speakers too. Karen recently added a new presenter after they reached out to her directly and has been added to the lineup.

MORE THAN INFORMATIVE

Karen reports that, “One of the biggest results has been creating opportunities to discuss deeper or diverse topics. Residents can talk about what they have learned as well as their own experiences, which enables them to connect in a more meaningful way. When we did the Pride presentation in June, some residents were not familiar with what it was or even what the letters LGBTQ meant. After the presentation, our LGBTQ community members said they felt seen and better understood.”

The program is more than informative, they’re helping residents learn about their personal differences and see each other in new ways.

Each presentation becomes a community event. Residents come together in common areas to watch on big screen TVs, creating opportunities to connect with neighbors while learning. 

For residents who choose to remain in their room during the presentation, there is a QR code they can use to watch. 

WHAT’S ON TAP FOR THE REST OF 2025?

The goal is to offer monthly learning opportunities, and the topic lineup for the remainder of this year has engaging opportunities for continued learning:

• August: “Secret Life of Jokes”
• September: “Age Well”
• October: “Fright Night: A History of Horror Movies”
• November: “Veterans Day: Honoring America’s Veterans Since 1919”
• December: “Home for the Holidays: ‘Tis the Season for Family and Friends”

Each presentation provides residents with new opportunities to explore topics that spark curiosity and foster meaningful connections with fellow community members.

LEARNING THAT LASTS A LIFETIME

From discussing topics that foster understanding to exploring fascinating subjects that spark new interests, Lifelong U shows us that learning remains a source of joy and connection throughout life. The program is an opportunity to stay curious, engaged and connected with others who share their love of discovery.