| The Benefits of LIFE Membership |
Ways to Keep Busy in Retirement and Enjoy LIFE!Date : 07-05-21
Retirement is a much anticipated and exciting stage of life, but it can also be somewhat overwhelming. Now that you finally have more time to do whatever you like, you may be wondering how you will stay busy, active, and social in retirement. Luckily, there are many communities of 50+ individuals who are also looking to learn new things, have fun, and meet other older adults in Toronto, Ontario. Finding meaningful ways to spend your retirement is about more than preventing boredom or loneliness. In fact, being part of a community and staying active as you age is an important part of longevity, health, and well-being. According to Dr. Robert Waldinger,
director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, "People who are more socially connected to family,
friends, and community are happier, healthier, and live longer than people who are less well connected." Another study by the Center on Aging at the University of Manitoba surveyed individuals who participate regularly in older adult programing. The study found that “virtually all participants felt that the activities they engage in almost always or often give them a sense of accomplishment; 80% or more also felt that the activities increased their knowledge, helped them gain self-confidence, and provided an opportunity to try new things.” If you are willing to put yourself out there to try new things and meet new people, you too can have a long, happy, and fun retirement. Welcome to LIFE! The Benefits of Joining The LIFE InstituteOur members don’t just develop lifelong learning, they develop lifelong friends. When you participate in LIFE’s programs, you broaden your horizons, meet like-minded older adults, expand your skills, and stay physically and socially active! You will also have the opportunity to share your skills with other members and give back to the LIFE community in meaningful ways. Click the image below to hear a special message from our Executive Director. Current members also share how being a LIFE member has impacted them.  1. What is LIFE?The LIFE Institute provides a high-quality learning, socializing, and contributing environment for older adults (50+) in Toronto. The LIFE Institute is affiliated with Ryerson University's G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education. And, as the largest of The Chang School's Programs for 50+, The LIFE Institute is an influential partner in Ryerson's Continuing Education community. We are also part of the Age-Friendly University Global Network that aims to meet the educational and social needs of older adults. Our core goal is to offer exceptional educational experiences for older adults, regardless of their educational background or unique needs. Efforts are made to accommodate members with mobility, vision, hearing, and/or learning difficulties. Since we are a not-for-profit largely volunteer-run charity, our members' skills, leadership, and desire for personal growth are responsible for the successful operation and administration of the Institute. Our program has grown from a small community of a few hundred in 1991 to a membership of almost 2500 today, and we are always excited to welcome new members!
2. What are the benefits of joining LIFE?There are many benefits of being a member including access to: Lecture courses We offer lecture courses that are given by a professor or acknowledged expert in the field. Lecture courses usually include a question-and-answer period, some discussion, and may include a reading list. To see upcoming lectures, see our Special Lectures page. Facilitated courses Many of our facilitated courses are led by LIFE volunteers and cover a wide variety of subjects in the Arts, Humanities, Sciences, Technology and Contemporary Issues. Members who are seeking leadership opportunities can prepare and direct a course; class participants may also be asked to research and present a topic. To learn more about course registration and to see a list of offerings, see our Courses page. Events LIFE events are a great opportunity to connect with long-time friends and meet new ones. Choose from Welcome Back, Winterfest, Volunteer Recognition and much more. Special events are open to all LIFE members. A registration fee applies in some instances. For more information on events, see our Events page. Clubs Clubs are a fun way to learn a new skill or meet like-minded older adults who share your interests. LIFE offers a variety of self-governing clubs that meet on or off campus, monthly throughout the year. Clubs are open to all members for no charge or a nominal annual fee. During the COVID-19 pandemic, most clubs are meeting virtually over Zoom until further notice. Current clubs include:
If you do not see a club that interests you, you can start your own! For more information on joining or starting a club, see our LIFE Clubs page. Walking groups Staying active is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, so members can also join an older adult walking group in Toronto through LIFE Walks. We offer two main types of walks:
Examples of Green Walks include Edwards Gardens, Moore Park Ravine, Don Valley Brick Works, East Don Parkland, and James Gardens to the Old Mill.
Examples of Grey Walks may include jaunts through Yorkville, along Spadina Avenue, around City Hall, Concord City Place, the CNE, South Rosedale, and Riverside. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the LIFE Walks are currently on hold, but we look forward to hosting them again once it is safe to do so. For more information on what you can look forward to, see our LIFE Walks page. Volunteering All our LIFE members bring unique knowledge, skills, experience, and ideas to our community, and we rely on them to keep our programs running. If you are looking to put your lifetime of skills to use to serve others and build our community, we need volunteers like you! There are many ways to lend your talents and develop your leadership skills. Join a committee, become an instructor, or help with events or administrative tasks. Whether you have a lot of time to give or only a few hours per month, there are older adult volunteer opportunities for any member wanting to get more involved. To learn more about how you can help, see our Become a Volunteer page Access to Ryerson University’s facilitiesOur members receive a true "campus" experience with access to first-rate facilities and services at Ryerson University which is an age-friendly university, including their library, sports centre, and a dedicated computer education lab (CEL). All these benefits are included in the annual membership fee. Members can obtain a library card, rent a laptop, take a campus tour, use student space, attend a workshop, or join a campus event. There is always something fun to do and the bright and modern workspaces are a great way to spend an afternoon working on a project or diving into an interesting book. To learn more about the many ways you can get involved in campus life, see our Around Ryerson page. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, access to some of these facilities may be impacted.
3. How does a LIFE membership work?Members pay an annual fee of $80 and are able to participate in everything LIFE offers. Membership runs from July 1 to June 30 each year. You may renew at any time during the current academic year, but the fee remains the same and must be renewed each year after July 1st if you want to register for courses, clubs, or events. To learn more about how to register for or renew your membership, see our Become a Member page.
4. Is there financial support for membership dues?It is important to The LIFE Institute that every older adult has access to our courses and programs. Finances should never be a barrier to living your best life, which is why we are proud to be able to offer financial assistance to low-income older adults who require financial aid. Funding is available through the Ruth Gertner Memorial Fund which was generously established by Ruth’s family. Requests for financial assistance are always handled confidentially and we are happy to answer any questions you may have. Please contact the LIFE Ombuddy, Jack Marmer at jmarmer@idirect.ca for more information on financial assistance for membership dues.
5. Is the LIFE program accessible?The LIFE Institute is very mindful of creating experiences that are accessible to every member wishing to participate in later life learning, leadership opportunities, and events. Much of the Ryerson University campus is wheelchair accessible. Members are also able to indicate if they require accommodations for a disability or for wheelchair accessibility when setting up their LIFE member account and registering for a course or event. Zoom also features accessibility options such as keyboard accessibility, pinning or spotlighting interpreter video, screen reader support, and other settings to help everyone be successful. Limited support from LIFE staff members is available to members who are having difficulty in class due to mobility, hearing, visual, or other needs. If you would like to speak to someone to see if The LIFE Institute is accessible for you, do not hesitate to reach out to us.
6. How do I stay in touch with what is happening at The LIFE Institute?All members can opt-in to receive the LivingLIFE newsletter that is published four times per year. The newsletter features articles on LIFE events and activities, course reviews, member profiles, updates from our Board of Directors, and much more. Members are invited to submit story ideas for consideration by the newsletter group. You can read the most recent edition of LivingLIFE and see archived editions on our Living LIFE newsletter page. 7. Are you ready to join The LIFE Institute?If you or your loved one are looking for ways to stay active, participate in lifelong learning, make friends, and give back to the community, LIFE membership could be a great fit! Please see our Become a Member page to register online. We are happy to answer any questions you may have, so do not hesitate to reach out to us. We look forward to hearing from you!
An Active and Exciting Retirement Awaits!Whether you are already retired or you are looking forward to retiring soon, there are many ways to fill your time with meaningful experiences. Joining older adult programs in Toronto can stimulate your mind while giving you opportunities to serve others, make new friends, and live a life full of vitality. You are only as old as you feel, so make the most of an exciting phase of life that is dedicated to pursuing what YOU enjoy. Now is your time! Take the chance to learn new skills, explore new hobbies, and share your knowledge and experience with other older adults. You will enjoy the benefits of investing in your own health and wellness as well as helping to build a community that supports your overall well-being in later life. You’ve earned a rewarding retirement - now all you have to do is enjoy every minute of it, whatever that looks like for you.
Donating to The LIFE Institute?If you or your loved one are not quite ready to join, but you would like to make an impact and help provide enriching experiences for older adults, please consider a financial gift to The LIFE Institute. Whether you are considering a monthly donation or a one-time contribution, your gift will make a big difference in the LIFE community. All donations go to the development of our programs and services, subsidizing LIFE members’ dues, and helping Ryerson students who have demonstrated financial need. To learn more about how you can make a donation, see our Donate page or reach out to us. |
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