The mental health and physical benefits of remaining intellectually engaged
as people age have been extensively documented by scientists and physicians. In Massachusetts, there are many educational resources for seniors.
A good place to start looking for courses and adult education classes is your local college or university where it is no longer unusual to find older adults enrolling as students. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a division of the U.S. Department of Education, has an easy way to locate the lifelong learning resources nearest you.
Go to National Center for Education Statistic (NECS).
At the bottom of their home page, click on "School/library search," then enter your city or town and
"Massachsuetts" and it will generate a list in and around your community with address and telephone
information. The NCES database allows you to search by type of institution - public and private higher
education institutions and libraries - and by city or state, and to look for institutions within 50 miles
of your zip code.
There is also a network of university- and college-linked programs called Lifelong Learning Institutes. See “Resources” at the end of this section for a full list of all of the Lifelong Learning Institutes in Massachusetts.
The Lifelong Learning Movement started in 1962 when a group of retired public school teachers from New York City formed the Institute for Retired Persons at the New School and started the first Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI).
The original Institute became the Elderhostel Institute Network (EIN) which assists the development of the overall movement and coordinates over 400 programs in the U.S. and Canada.
One of the most distinctive aspects of the partnership between the LLI’s and Elderhostel is the special programs they have developed for short-term educational travel opportunities for adults 55 and over.
Elderhostel. To receive a free catalog of travel options, call either the toll free number: 1-800-454-5768, or 1-877-426-8506. To read about the programs online, visit: Elderhostel.
Among several other organizations that offer distinctive learning communities for elders:
Senior Net
is a national non-profit organization that offers older adults both local classes and online
self-paced instruction in computers and the Internet. Online instruction is easily found on the website.
On-site courses are located in Boston, Brockton, Falmouth, Gloucester, Lawrence, South Hadley,
Southwick, Springfield, and Westford. These Learning Centers are managed and taught by volunteer
seniors for seniors 50 and older, and provide a low-cost, friendly introduction to using computers
and more advanced topics such as genealogy, graphics, personal financial management and tax preparations.
Many centers offer open lab time, user groups, workshops and social activities.
Go to Senior Net and visit "Learning Centers," and "Courses" to learn more.
Retired and Senior Volunteers Program (RSVP) is part of “Senior Corps” run by the Corporation for National and Community Service. RSVP recruits and places individuals ages 55 and over in local non-profit organizations where their talents will help solve problems in their own communities.
The hours and frequency of volunteering are flexible. See Senior Corp > senior corps in your state > Massachusetts > to find information on getting involved in your community.
Massachusetts has a wealth of museums, and many of these offer free tours and lecture programs, as well as discounted admission for seniors. For a complete list of links to museums, go to Museum-link > U.S. Museums by State > Massachusetts. The following listings are some examples in different parts of the state:
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston offers a senior discount for admission, and there are free, guided tours and gallery talks. Manual wheelchairs are available free of charge. The Museum does not provide attendants to push visitors using wheelchairs, but personal care attendants are allowed to come in for free. Audio assistance devices and audio tours are available. The MFA is located at 465 Huntington Ave. and is accessible by the MBTA Green "E" and Orange lines (the Ruggles stop). Telephone 617-267-9300. The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
The Peabody Essex Museum in Salem offers a senior discount, and is fully wheelchair accessible in the main galleries. There is limited accessibility in the Chinese House and historic houses. Wheelchairs are available free of charge. For directions and other information call 978-745-9500, or 866-745-1876. For group tours, call x3070. The Peabody Essex Museum.
Worcester Art Museum at 55 Salisbury Street has discount admissions for seniors and is fully accessible from the Tuckerman entrance. Wheelchairs are available here. Audio tours are available. For more information call 508-799-4406. Worcester Art Museum .
The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum at Columbia Point in
Boston overlooks Quincy Bay and is accessible by the MBTA Red line. Senior and group tour discounts are offered. For more information call 1-866-JFK-1960 or 617-514-1600. Website: The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.
Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) has a dedicated telephone line, 617-638-9431, for disabled patrons who would like to purchase tickets to BSO, Pops, or Tanglewood concerts in western Massachusetts, or who need information about disability services and seating.
For Symphony Hall in Boston: The Access Service Center, located at the Cohen Wing entrance on Huntington Ave., dispenses assistive listening headsets, wheelchairs, Braille and Large Print programs, and emergency medical equipment. The staff will also assist patrons to or from their seats, their vehicles, or with any other request. Boston Symphony Orchestra search on “accessibility,” or call 617-638-9431.
For Tanglewood in Lenox, there is a dedicated telephone line for disabled patrons who would like to buy tickets or who need information about disability services. Call 617-638-9431, or 888-266-1492, ext. 43.
Clark Art Institute, in Williamstown, is both an art museum and a research center featuring an extensive collection of European and American art. The galleries, library, café, and auditorium are fully accessible. Accessible restrooms are also available. The East Entrance is equipped with automatic doors. For more information, go to: Clark Institute, or call 413-458-2303.
MASS MoCA, located in a former factory complex in North Adams, showcases contemporary visual and performing arts. MASS MoCA is wheelchair-accessible, although there is one outdoor exhibit which, because of its placement, is not readily accessible to wheelchairs. They do have wheelchairs, which they suggest you reserve in advance by calling the box office at 413-662-2111. There is ample handicapped parking, and they invite all patrons to drop off visitors near the front door. For more information go to: MASS MoCA .
To learn about other opportunities available in your community, check with your local Council on Aging (COA). Some offer their own classes, others partner with local schools and colleges. Additionally, adult education programs, tours and day trips are offered in many communities and by faith-based organizations. Check the following centers and programs for classes in your area.
Academy for Lifelong Learning of Cape Cod, Inc. (ALL), Cape Cod Community College
2240 Iyanough Road, West Barnstable, MA 02668-1559. Phone: 508-362-2131, ext. 4828.
Academy for Lifelong Learning of Cape Cod, Inc.
Harvard Institute for Learning in Retirement (HILR), Harvard University,
51 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138. Phone: 617-495-4072. Harvard Institute for Learning in Retirement. E-mail: leonie_gordon@harvard.edu
Lasell Institute for Learning in Retirement, Lasell College
1844 Commonwealth Avenue, Newton, MA 02466. Phone: 617-663-7054.
Lasell Institute for Learning in Retirement .
Osher Institute for Lifelong Learning @ Brandeis (BOLLI), Brandeis University
Rabb School, MS 085, Waltham, MA 02454-9110. Phone: 781-736-2171. Osher Institute for Lifelong Learning @ Brandeis . E-mail: BOLLI@brandeis.edu
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute @ Tufts University
039 Carmichael Hall, Medford, MA 02155. Phone: 617-627-5885 or 617-627-5699. Osher Lifelong Learning Institute @ Tufts University E-mail: OsherLLI@tufts.edu
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at University of Massachusetts Boston
100 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA 02125. Phone: 617-287-7312. Osher Lifelong Learning Institute .
Lifelong Learning at Regis College (LLARC), Regis College
235 Wellesley Street, Weston, MA 02493. Phone: 781-768-7135. Lifelong Learning at Regis College .
Norton Institute for Continuing Learning (NICE), Wheaton College/Epoch Assisted Living of Norton, 190 Mansfield Ave., Norton, MA 02766. Phone: 508-285-3355
The Second Half: Lifelong Learning @ 50+ University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth
139 South Main Street, Fall River, MA 02721. Phone: 508-677-4694, E-mail: secondhalf@umassd.edu
Explorers Lifelong Learning Institute of Salem State College, Salem State College,
10 Federal Street, Salem, MA 01970. Phone: 978-744-0804. Explorers Lifelong Learning Institute of Salem State College . Email: explorers@verizon.net
Learning in Retirement Association (LIRA), University of Massachusetts Lowell
One University Center, Lowell, MA 01854. Phone: 978-934-3135.
Lifelong Learning, Northern Essex Community College
100 Elliott Way, Haverhill, MA 01830. Phone: 978-556-3688.
Middlesex Institute for Lifelong Learning for Seniors (MILES), Middlesex Community College
591 Springs Road, Building 9, Room 220, Bedford, MA 01730. Phone: 781- 280-3617. Middlesex Institute for Lifelong Learning for Seniors .
Learning in Later Life, Springfield College, 263 Alden Street, Springfield, MA 01109. Phone: 413-748-3497.
Worcester Institute for Senior Education (WISE), Assumption College,
500 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609. Phone: 508-767-7364.
Worcester Institute for Senior Education.
Berkshire Institute for Lifetime Learning (BILL), Berkshire Community College/Williams College, 1350 West Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Phone: 413-499-4660 x: 456.
Berkshire Institute for Lifetime Learning .
Five Colleges Learning in Retirement, 5 Colleges, Inc.
Mason Hall, Smith College. Northampton, MA 01063-0001. Phone: 413-585-3756.
Five Colleges Learning in Retirement.
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