Vacations for Older Adults: Education, Adventure, Service—How About All of the Above?

by Amy Scholten, MPH

Ever dream of flying a plane? Cruising China's Yangtze River? How about digging for fossils? Or helping a needy child? People over 55 are making these dreams come true. They use learning and travel programs for older adults.

Get an Education on Vacation

Learn While Traveling

Road Scholar programs have many topics and locations. These programs consider different needs. Some are more active than others. You can find travel programs at home or in other countries. They explore culture, history, and nature. You can also find lower cost programs.

Continue Your Education

Colleges also offer educational programs for seniors. Consider the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. They offer an outreach program. You can take courses in art, finance, music, history, and other subjects. Check out colleges in your area. They may have similar programs for older adults.

Other Enriching Travel Tours

Many companies offer travel and learning tours for older adults. Some include places around the world. Examples are:

  • Lectures while cruising the Rhine and Danube Rivers
  • A guided walking tour of Amsterdam
  • A classical concert in Vienna
  • Trips to spiritual places

Do you want to help others? Retirement is a great time to volunteer. Some programs help people make a difference. One example is the National Senior Corps Association.You can:

  • Become a foster grandparent
  • Help other seniors with day-to-day living
  • Get involved with community projects

There are many ways to enrich your life.

RESOURCES:

AARP
http://www.aarp.org
Corporation for National & Community Service
https://www.nationalservice.gov

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Ministry of Senior Affairs
https://www.ontario.ca
Service Canada
https://www.canada.ca

References

Senior corps. Corporation for National & Community Service website. Available at: https://americorps.gov/serve/americorps-seniors. Accessed October 12, 2021.
What do you want to learn? Road Scholar website. Available at: https://www.roadscholar.org/roadscholar-experience/learning-adventures. Accessed October 12, 2021.
Last reviewed October 2021 by EBSCO Medical Review Board
Last Updated: 10/12/2021

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