‘Pomp and Circumstance’ as Senior Citizens graduate from Oak Park Arms’ Academy for Seniors
Oak Park Arms Senior Living held a graduation ceremony for residents who completed the Arms’ Academy for Seniors course titled, “Before 1776: Life in the American Colonies” at the Oak Park Arms, 408 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park. The course covered information about Europeans, Africans, and the native peoples of North America who interacted in a drama of settlement and conflict that lasted nearly three centuries.
“I’ve always been interested in all kinds of history, dating back to my grade school and high school days in Chicago,” said Louise Snyder, an Oak Park Arms resident since 2018. “As I’ve gotten older, I discovered just how much our teachers never got around to covering back in the day. The class really got into the nitty gritty that makes history so interesting and worthwhile.”
In 2017, Executive Director Moses Williams, introduced a new activity at the Oak Park Arms called the “Philosophers Roundtable.” It was enormously successful, and participants asked for more. The “Academy for Seniors” was created and enthusiastic participation in multiple classes takes place year-round.
“Their thirst for knowledge was and remains so compelling,” Williams said.
For older adults, staying active is the key to preserving health. Researchers have found that mental exercise is just as vital as physical exercise. It’s called cognitive reserve which is the ability to optimize or maximize performance through recruitment of brain networks.
Many scientific studies show that a healthy mix of both physical and intellectual activity helps seniors maintain overall well-being. Older adults can attain a healthy body and a healthy mind which helps delay or modify the onsets of dementia and Alzheimer’s. One method for the mind is continuing education.
“We’ve been able to tap into an amazing variety of classes over the past several years, from philosophy to travel to history, even to the science of winning at chess.”
Dan Kane, life enrichment coordinator at the Oak Park Arms
The current Academy for Seniors courses are: Why you are Who you are, America and the World, The Lives of great Christians, The Life of the American colonies.
Oak Park Arms Senior Living is a rental retirement community which provides senior housing in the form of senior independent living and assisted living apartments. Additional services include respite care and an award-winning adult day care program. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay – a weekend, a week, a month or longer.
For more information call 708-386-4040.
Academy for Senior Graduation Photos
