Home Consumer There’s More To Retirement Than Playing Pickleball

There’s More To Retirement Than Playing Pickleball

Oct 7, 2015

By Terri Lynn, SouthFloridaReporter.com, Managing Editor, Oct. 7, 2015 – News Flash! There’s more to retirement than playing cards, pickleball and talking about the good old days.

According to The Palace Group, owners of retirement communities, many seniors want to enrich their lives with knowledge and higher education. Two of their South Florida communities, The Palace Coral Gables and The Palace Suites have created a partnership with the University of Miami’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) to present lectures and seminars for the residents. OLLI has been at The Palace Coral Gables since it opened in June 2013 and at The Palace in Kendall for 5 years.

Each month, a series is selected by the community’s lifestyle director. A speaker comes to the community on a designated day and time. Paid for by the community, the sessions are complimentary for residents. There is no charge for the general public to attend and The Palace communities host a luncheon following the discussion.

Recently, Palace residents have studied “Great Men of History” with instructor Robert Dawson who assumes the role of the person he’s portraying—complete with costume—bringing history to life. Dawson is known for his portrayals of Claude Monet, August Rodin and Paul Gauguin.

“Our residents flock to these events because he makes learning so much fun,” said Adam Rosenblum, vice president of marketing for The Palace Group, owners of the retirement communities. “There was an expressed desire by residents for lectures with greater level of intellectual stimulation. As the consumer has changed, our social programming has had to exceed their expectations. Through our partnerships, we can bring stimulating lectures to residents without their leaving the community.”

At The Carlisle Naples, a senior retirement community located in Naples, Florida, a similar partnership with the Frances Pew Hayes Center for Lifelong Learning at Hodges University is underway. The Center offers over 250 classes annually and takes these classes on the road as well.

In October, instructor Frank Berna will visit The Carlisle Naples and conduct a workshop on “Beyond Snapshots and Making Better Photographs.” This is complimentary to Carlisle residents.