Denise Amyot sees many links and coincidences in her long career. Perhaps the most consistent for the retiree who started her working life as a teacher has been to never stop learning.

Aging comes with many benefits and pitfalls. One of the less palatable aspects can include a dulling of our senses and abilities, and the fear of dementia. Enter an increasing number of opportunities intended to help keep us sharp and our brains active through learning.

A member of Federal Retirees since 2013, Amyot followed her retirement as president/CEO of Colleges and Institutes Canada, which came after 28 years with the federal government, with the launch of her own company, Denise Amyot & Assoc. Undoubtedly still active at age 68, Amyot reflected on the rich opportunities she had in a variety of sectors, allowing her to reinvent herself and rewire her brain by learning new skills and approaches at every junction.

“When I decided not to take a third mandate, [one of my biggest fears was whether I would continue to learn.] I was kind of afraid,” explains Amyot, who previously held the roles of president and CEO of the Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation and as a senior executive with her previous three posts as an assistant deputy minister.

She didn’t worry for long. In addition to her business as an executive coach, Amyot sits on a number of boards with domestic and international scope. Through her many interests, she sought out opportunities to expand her knowledge of the subject matter related to these organizations, leading her to retreats, conferences and opportunities to travel.

Amyot’s concern is reflected in the many organizations that have developed to address this demand by retirees. Initiatives have been popping up across the country, presenting speakers offering ongoing learning opportunities about everything from how our cities are organized to the future of space exploration. The target audience? Mature adults.

Extended Education at the University of Manitoba has joined forces with the University of Alberta and Edmonton Learning Association and the Learning Centre at the University of Regina to make a broad range of online courses and programs available to older adults. Vancouver’s Simon Fraser University’s Liberal Arts and 55+ Program has been offering intellectually rich non-credit courses to older adult learners since the 1970s. Montreal’s Concordia University has a senior non-credit program with a variety of offerings. Many other Canadian universities and colleges have specific programs geared to older adults. More formal education is also available. A handful of universities across the country offer seniors a tuition waiver for those interested in enrolling in degree-granting programs or credit courses.

In Ontario, The Life Institute is part of the Third Age Network, which is made up of non-profit learning groups geared to present speakers and courses to seniors on a wide variety of topics. “Third age” is defined as the period in life of active retirement, following middle age. The organization is also affiliated with the Chang School of Continuing Education at Toronto Metropolitan University.

Marilyn Wright, a former North York municipal councillor, moved back to Toronto from Vancouver to retire in 2000 and soon became involved in the Third Age Network, which is now 34 years old and boasts a membership of 2,600. Members pay annual dues of $80 and about $95 for each course, although no one is turned away due to inability to pay. Fall and winter courses are generally offered over eight weeks, with six-week courses offered during the spring. Special lectures are often on the curriculum as well. The subject matter is varied, from film and music studies to history and aging, with this fall’s offerings titled The Golden Age of Screwball Comedy; The United States and the World, Post 2024 Election; The Meaning of Myth and Healthy; and Successful Aging for You. There are also regular social gatherings. 

“I’m an active person and I wanted to keep my brain going,” explains Wright, now 85, who has held several roles with The Life Institute over her 24 years. “It’s been wonderful.”

Studies and surveys have found there is a link between life-long learning, the active brain and general good health. Cambridge University’s Ageing and Society journal published a 2016 study by Brock University researchers concluding older adults’ participation in life-long learning is independently and positively associated with their psychological well-being. It was based on survey data provided by 416 adults, aged 60 years and older, enrolled in non-formal general-interest courses in Canada. The following year, the U.S. National Institute on Aging concluded cognitive health interventions (activities that involve thinking, learning and remembering) can prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimer’s or other aging-related dementia following a review of research. 

Samir K. Sinha, geriatrician and clinician scientist at the Sinai Health System and University Health Network, believes life-long learning not only keeps the brain active and stimulated, but also provides a sense of purpose and accomplishment to participants while keeping them curious and engaged with others.

Through his role as the director of health policy research at Toronto Metropolitan University, with a focus on healthy aging, Sinha became involved with The Life Institute about a decade ago, after being impressed with how the organization paired with the university.

“There are a lot of like-minded people… not just there to learn, but to interact with each other,” he says. “We know one of the greatest risks that could come as we age is that risk of increasing isolation and loneliness and so the idea that when you can find ways to bring people together… that might be a way to develop a common bond and connection with other people that could lead potentially to new meaningful friendships and connections.

“There’s all these dividends that actually come out from life-long learning and life-long learning programs that keep people engaged.”

As she ages, Amyot has become intrigued with everything related to aging.

“So I’m gathering a lot of information here and there,” she says. “We’re not done. My big worry is to not have enough time to do the things we need to do and to learn.”