Blake Gillespie

Dr. Blake Gillespie illustrates a point in his class on Biotechnology for OLLI

As the first boomers have reach 60 and many others are at the threshold, there is increased media interest in how they will enter the "golden years". Much has been said about the uniqueness of this generation: they are more educated, better off financially, and expect to remain more independent and active than their predecessor generations. In fact, many boomers reject the label "seniors". Yet, it can't be denied that, as throughout history, circumstances will change, requiring adjustments. The media and many agencies offer considerable advice with regard to potential changes in health and finances, but a question of particular concern to an aging generation is how to deal with their lifestyle in a changing environment? When job, financial, health potency and family circumstances change, how do people keep, and even improve, their sense of who they are, their self-esteem, and their satisfaction with their life?

The short answer is to continue being the same person. We have all, at great cost, accumulated certain skills, banks of knowledge, and a sense of being productive. Our pride in ourselves is often tied to our youth, our careers, our ability to learn new things, and our families. What do we do when our family situation changes (kids do grow up, and some of them even strike out on their own!) and the job or career which defined us is no longer there? Some people can say goodbye to all that, and put their energies into recreational activities like travel or golf. But for many, especially those used to exercising their minds and using their hard-earned skills, more is needed to retain the levels of competence that are important to their self-concept. The suggestion is to continue using our skills and knowledge, but in different ways. This time around, we are not using our vast storehouse of knowledge and capabilities to advance a career, raise children, or "prove something". We can continue to practice what took so long to learn in new settings, with new goals.

In Ventura County opportunities are readily available to continue the productive lives we have nurtured over the years, and by so doing, avoid thinking of ourselves as "seniors". One such activity is volunteering for one or more of the many needs that exist locally. Volunteering has many rewards beyond the obvious one of serving other people. It is a chance to practice one's abilities, for example, using executive management and organizational skills in a volunteer group. It enhances feelings of self-esteem and confidence to know you have been important in producing some worthwhile change. It provides an opportunity to meet some very interesting people with interests and histories similar to yours, and as a bonus, some with experiences different than yours! The trick is to match your skills and needs to the volunteer activity. Opportunities abound - just read the newspapers, or contact umbrella organizations such as the Area Agency on Aging, United Way, and RSVP in Ojai, Oxnard or Thousand Oaks.

Educational opportunities also abound in Ventura County. The formal education we all had to different extents was aimed at providing skills and knowledge for successful living and careers. As we get older and careers wind down, we are free to explore all kinds of knowledge for its own sake - for the joy of stimulation, learning new skills, and keeping ourselves mentally fit and alert.. Different goals can be met with available educational resources. Locally, adult education classes that address specific interests, personal enhancement, and learning of new skills are available through the community colleges. If there is space in regular classes in the community colleges seniors can attend, but these classes are geared toward undergraduates in degree programs. The Open University of California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI), provides an opportunity to take college classes with undergraduate students.

There are now classes intended for intellectual enrichment exclusively for persons over 50 at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at CSUCI. These are high-level courses in the sciences, arts, humanities and more, meeting once a week on campus (or in satellite locations in Thousand Oaks, Ventura,, Simi Valley, and Ojai) in three, six week sessions each year. In each session, about 15 different courses are offered over a wide range of topics. This past year, almost 550 residents of Ventura County, all over the age of 50, took courses at OLLI. Enrollment is open for the Fall session, which begins on August 18. The fall session includes courses in Music, Religion, Existentialism, Archaeology, Astronomy, Medieval Art, Jane Austin, Political Ideologies, Language and Media, and more. For information about enrollment, call 805-437-2748.

For boomers, as well as those who came before, the upcoming years promise the freedom to continue improving oneself even with the prospect of changing circumstances that may at first look threatening. If we are wise with our energies, these changes can be used to our advantage.