The first age is our childhood, the second is adulthood – career, family, one or both. And the third? Well, retirement is increasingly seen as a fresh start, not an endpoint. And along with travel, pickleball, even some part-time work, a growing number of people are making learning a part of this next chapter. Whether it’s expanding digital skills, exploring art history, understanding climate science, or joining a regular discussion group, lifelong learning is recognized now as an important part of healthy aging – the third age.
Plenty of research supports this. The World Health Organization’s Global Action Plan on Dementia notes that new learning, cognitive stimulation, and social engagement help protect long-term brain health and can reduce some dementia risk factors.1
Similarly, the National Institute on Aging (the American one – there is also a Canadian organization with the same name) highlights that intellectual stimulation—such as taking classes, learning a new skill, or tackling complex topics—supports cognitive resilience, emotional well-being, and independence.2
And a study from The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) says that adult learning is strongly linked to better well-being, social engagement, adaptability, and confidence in navigating an evolving economy and society. 3
There’s no shortage of learning opportunities. Whether in a classroom, online, lecture only, graded participation, free or for a fee – there are models for pretty well everyone. Technology today makes access a breeze and the demographics align; as of 2025, there are 10.8 million Canadians age 60 or older and 1.5 million of them live in BC.
Learning Resources for Older Adults
The information below is not exhaustive and we don’t endorse any in particular. It focuses on BC because a lot of these programs offer hands on options, which many people like. Yet one of the key benefits of our digital world is the flexibility to choose, in person, online, or hybrid. You can sit in your favourite chair at home and absorb lectures given from all over the world, many for free.
University Programs
Some folks decide retirement is the ideal time for completing a degree they never finished or starting a new one. Mature students earn BAs, MAs and even PhDs every year. But many universities also offer seniors reduced-fees for many regular courses beyond degree programs. Options include
A Few Examples
Community-Based Lifelong Learning: ElderCollege
ElderCollege programs are volunteer-driven learning communities usually tailored specifically to mature learners, age 50+. Courses are non-credit and a primary goal is to be social, affordable, and very local. In BC, North Island College has been providing education and training across North Vancouver Island and BC’s Central Coast since 1975. Costs for learners are usually modest, and many locations require an inexpensive membership to help defray programming costs. ElderCollege emphasizes a social and community-centered focus.
Some common topics (just a sampling)
North Island College locations:
Mid Island ElderCollege locations:
Sunshine Cost ElderCollege (Sechelt)
Library-Based Learning
Don’t overlook public libraries. They do still lend books but also offer a rich variety of resources, in person and online. Depending on the location, you can attend guest lectures, documentary screenings, digital literacy training, local history and genealogy workshops. Libraries are significant online learning portals through partnerships with organizations such as LinkedIn Learning, and others. And a big bonus of a library card can be free (nice word) digital access to dozens of national and international magazines and newspapers – learn a lot and save money!
Vancouver Island Regional Library
Greater Victoria Public Library
Last but not least…tech learning for seniors
A lot of the educational organizations we link to above have enrolment pages requiring registration and log ins for their specific program. Digital literacy and security are entire— and very important—topics on their own. So we recommend dedicating some learning time on those topics. Here are two resources, but again, there are many, and asking at your local library for a recommendation can be a good start.
1 https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/259615
2 https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cognitive-health-and-older-adults
3 Education at a Glance 2023 | OECD
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