The aging of America brings with it many social changes: longer marriages, more late-life relationships, more open same-sex couples, more interracial couples, more stepfamilies, more caregivers, and more single men and women. Some elders find it easy to cope with these changes. Others feel disturbed and purposeless. Educators of older adults, too, are affected by these seismic shifts in traditional family roles, write Jacquelyn Browne and Jim Hibel. Lifelong learning programs and other venues for older adult education are good settings in which to open up discussion of the changing nature of families. Read More >>

“We are the storytelling species,” writes Robert Atkinson. “We have a long history of using storytelling to build and maintain bonds within communities and families. ” With fractured or otherwise distanced biological families becoming more the norm, however, it is not surprising today that many adults are developing groups of friends who can provide love and support in addition to or in place of biological family. What better way to build and strengthen older adults’ chosen families than to provide them with opportunities for sharing meaningful stories from their lives with one another? Read More >>

Last year, Alice Fisher and Michael Connolly created the first lifelong learning course on LGBT grandparenting in the United States. Both organizers and participants found that the class gave them a rare opportunity to share with other LGBT grandparents. Most of the participants reported that their experience of grandparenting is similar to that of their all grandparents, though it presents a few distinctive challenges, such as how to deal with the after effects of divorce and how to incorporate a life partner into the lives of one’s grandchildren. Read More >>

Many elders have no adult children, grandchildren or other relatives living nearby who are compatible or helpful. Since social connections are important for health and happiness, it’s unwise to limit our concept of family to blood kin. According to Ruth Harriet Jacobs, one way elders can create chosen families is by participating in lifelong learning programs that offer have kinship as well as intellectual connections. Another way is by attending programs at a senior center or council on aging. Not only do agency staff become surrogate family members, the centers provide spaces where families of peers can grow. Read More >>

In her column this quarter, Leadership Council chair Kali Lightfoot shares her experience at the emeeting where the LEARN editorial board brainstormed the current issue of The Older LEARNer, with its innovative theme of changing families and lifelong learning. She also describes upcoming ASA intensives of interest to LEARN members -- both the East Coast and West Coast Conferences will offer sessions on brain health. In addition, the East Coast gathering will feature a session on Internet training for elders who visit libraries and senior centers to go online. Read More >>