Learners in the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Duke (OLLI) turn their attention to practical matters next week as the seventh annual Conscious Aging Series continues. The free, public lunchtime lecture series addresses issues older Americans face.
Held on eight Wednesdays through March at the Judea Reform Education Building, 1933 W. Cornwallis Rd., the talks cover topics such as heart health, reforming college sports and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the Duke Performances lineup.
“People like the variety,” says Patti Rieser, an OLLI member who co-chairs the series organizing committee with Susan Schaffer. “We’ve had record-breaking total attendance for the last two series.” Talks typically draw more than 60 people, and sometimes more than 100.
At a talk on Jan. 27, titled “Staying Active to Preserve Independence,” Cassandra Germain, a medical Instructor in Duke’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, will discuss the risk factors that are associated with physical and functional disability in older adults and the benefits of physical activity on reducing one’s risk of disability and maintaining physical independence. Germain’s research focuses on identifying health, demographic and modifiable lifestyle factors that are associated with cognitive decline and preclinical Alzheimer’s disease.
Here’s the full schedule:
- Jan. 27 -- Staying Active to Preserve Independence, Duke medical instructor Cassandra Germaine
- Feb. 3 -- Off the Beaten Path: N.C.’s Hidden Travel Gems, Scott Mason, author most recently of “Tarheel Traveler Eats: Food Journeys Across N.C.”
- Feb. 10 -- Close and Caring Connections: Building Relationships as We Get Older, relationship expert Susan Orenstein
- Feb. 17 -- Medicine or Meditation? Cardiology and Complementary Therapies, Dr. Mitch Krucoff, Duke professor of cardiology
- March 2 -- Duke Performances, Putting the World Onstage, Aaron Greenwald, executive director of Duke Performances
- March 9 -- Who’s Up Your Family Tree? Exploring Genealogy, genealogical consultant and long-time OLLI instructor Margo Brewer
- March 16 -- Advancing the Prevention and Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease by 2025, Kathleen Welsh-Bohmer, director of the Bryan Alzheimer’s Center
- March 23 -- How to Fix College Sports: Does Foreign Soccer Hold a Clue? David Fellerath, a freelance writer and the manager of Durham Atlético, which promotes a form of urban soccer called futsal
All of the talks will be held from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. in the Commons Room at Judea Reform Congregation. For more information, call 919-681-3476.
Learn more about all of OLLI’s programs and courses here