Our Role in Niagara

Third Age Learning Niagara was founded in November of 2018 with support of Niagara College. It is a not-for-profit organization, with a Board of Directors from the community who fully support the initiative of Third Age Learning. TALN is excited to offer a unique opportunity to older adults in Niagara to continue to learn and engage in their community.

TALN is a proud member of Third Age Network (TAN) which is network of similar organizations across the province of Ontario. Membership with TAN provides TALN with access to a variety of guest speakers, advice and direction for our organization and opportunities to work with other Third Age Learning communities. 

The Benefits of Third Age Learning

Social and Community

  • Friendship
  • Sense of Belonging
  • Social and Communication Skills
  • Involvement in Your Community

Mental Health

  • Overall Well-Being
  • Coping Skills
  • Life Satisfaction and Enjoyment
  • Build Confidence

Physical Health

  • Physical Problems are Viewed Positively
  • Keeps the Mind Sharp
  • Slows Down Deterioration of Physical Skills 
  • Better Manage Physical Independence

Why Third Age Learning?

There are many benefits of learning at an older age. Research suggests that older age learning has health benefits beyond simply keeping the mind sharp. Learning at an older age offers psychosocial, sociopolitical and socioeconomic gains. As people age and continue to engage in education opportunities that are interesting to them, they build and use skills that might otherwise have gone idle. Besides keeping the mind sharp, Third Age Learning facilitates the development of a more positive self-esteem, improved self-efficacy, a sense of identity, communication skills, and social skills.

With the development of these skills the learners overall well-being improves, their mental health strengthens and they are able to cope with change and adversity in a more effective way. Older adult learners are more able to view their health in a positive way, even if they have health problems. Involvement in Third Age Learning opportunities also allows for more enjoyment in life, builds confidence, and improves overall life satisfaction. There are opportunities to build friendships and a sense of belonging within a community of like-minded older adults. A community that offers Third Age Learning opportunities supports a social model of care where it can be used in health promotion and to reduce health and social decline in older adults who participate.

Further Reading on the Benefits of Senior Learning

More than nickels and dimes: The health benefits of a community‐based lifelong learning programme for older adults, by M. Narushima - https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02601370802408332

History of Third Age Learning

  • 1973

    Third Age Learning movement was established in France.

  • Late 1970's.

    The movement rapidly spread throughout Europe and arrived in Canada, in Sherbrooke PQ.

  • 2018

    Third Age Learning Niagara was founded in 2018 with a steering committee of educators, community members and Third Age Learners.

  • 2018

    Became a member of TAN in November 2018.

  • 2019

    With support from Niagara College, the first learning series took place in March of 2019, with two more series to follow in July and November.