--- title: Focus: Learning through Abundant Aging Classes description: Explore the benefits of Abundant Aging Classes, which promote cognitive stimulation, social connection, and a sense of purpose through curiosity and learning. image: https://blog.unitedchurchhomes.org/hubfs/smiling-woman-using-laptop-sitting-yellow-sofa.jpg --- [![Center for Abundant Aging](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/wp-content/uploads/uch-logo-200x84.png "Center for Abundant Aging")](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center) [Back to United Church Homes](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. - [Educational Opportunities](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/educational-opportunities/) - [Overview](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/educational-opportunities/) - [Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/educational-opportunities/clinical-pastoral-education-cpe/) - [Quellhorst Endowment Fund](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/educational-opportunities/quellhorst-scholars/) - [High School Community Service Opportunities](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/educational-opportunities/high-school-community-service-opportunities/) - [Internships-Undergraduate and Graduate](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/educational-opportunities/internships-undergraduate-and-graduate/) - [Research Opportunities](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/educational-opportunities/research-opportunities/) - Engagement with Congregations - [Resources for Worship and Reflection](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/resources-for-worship-and-reflection/) - [Age-Friendly Congregations](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/age-friendly-congregations/) - [Church Resources](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/church-resources/) - [About the Center](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/about-the-center/) - [Overview](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/about-the-center/) - [Meet Rev. Beth Long-Higgins](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/meet-rev-beth-long-higgins/) - [Advisory Committee](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/advisory-committee/) - [Press Releases](https://www.abundantaging.org/category/press-releases/) - [Contact the Center](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/contact/) # Focus: Learning through Abundant Aging Classes By [Kim Moeller](https://blog.unitedchurchhomes.org/author/kim-moeller)  •  August 21, 2025 ![](https://blog.unitedchurchhomes.org/hubfs/smiling-woman-using-laptop-sitting-yellow-sofa.jpg) **Increased Sense of Purpose, Reduced Feelings of Isolation, and Sense of Accomplishment** *”I discovered things I never knew about other faiths. It was such a good class.”* *“I really liked learning and thinking more through the discussions and small groups.”* *“I signed up for the class for something to do but found I was surprised how much I loved connecting with others and hearing their experiences of aging.”* Research has shown that learning new things, such as exploring new subjects, stimulates the brain and can help maintain or even improve cognitive abilities like memory, problem-solving, and attention. **Another great resource from The Center for Abundant Aging,** Abundant Aging Classes are online Zoom classes to encourage, celebrate, refresh and nourish spiritual lives of older adults. Facilitated by professionals with experience in ministry, group spiritual direction, chaplaincy or other specialized areas related to spirituality and aging, the classes include participants from around the country. **Upcoming Classes Include:** [**How to Be a Blesser to Others and to Yourself**](http://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/blog/blessing-path/) (begins Sept. 16) **[Chair Yoga for Movement](:%20%20%20www.UnitedChurchHomes.org/blog/chair-yoga/)**  (begins Oct. 2) **[Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones from Scams](http://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/blog/protect-yourself-from-scams/)**   (offered Oct. 6) **[Intermissio: A Pause to Listen in a More Profound Way](http://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/blog/pause-to-listen/)**    (begins Oct. 22) [**An Act of Love: Preparing Today for Peace of Min**d](http://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/blog/act-of-love/)    (begins Nov. 10) Surviving Holiday Grief     (date to be confirmed) For more information about each class, click on the link or go to [www.UnitedChurchHomes.org/blog/category/courses/](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/blog/category/courses/) **The Power of Curiosity** Are you a curious person? It has been argued that curiosity makes us more intelligent—enhancing our critical thinking skills and making us more likely to question assumptions, challenge beliefs, assess evidence, and so make better, more informed decisions. In fact, Albert Einstein actually stated that “**curiosity is more important than intelligence**.” In fact, longevity experts are advising older adults to take up new hobbies and engage in new pursuits—like learning a foreign language, yoga, dancing, or playing a musical instrument—to counteract inevitable declines in brain functioning and stimulate, or revitalize, our brains. **Becoming More Curious** What can you do if you would like to develop a deeper sense of curiosity? One way is to begin to ask questions. Think of those five questions you might have learned in an English or writing class in school: Who? What? Why? When? And How? As an example, if you were interested in learning how to better protect yourself from financial scams and fraud, you might ask: Who is most likely to be a victim? What are the most common types of scams? Why is someone more likely to participate in a scam? When is fraud more likely to occur? And How do I ensure I don’t inadvertently become a target for scammers? To learn more about the answers to these questions, you could research them yourself or you could take our [Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones from Scams](http://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/blog/protect-yourself-from-scams/) class which begins Oct. 6th. Curiosity and learning have many benefits. Consider signing up for a class, maybe one of the Center for Abundant Aging classes, or a class from your local college or university through Ohio’s “Program 60” where residents age 60 and older can attend classes at state colleges and universities tuition-free on a non-credit basis, subject to space availability and sometimes instructor approval. Many states have similar programs. Also consider classes offered by AARP or your local library or community center. Discovering new things can be even more fun when done with a friend or family member. Find someone else who may have a similar interest.   Would you like to explore the vital and often overlooked role of creativity in aging well? Plan to participate in person or online at the [Abundant Aging Symposium](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/blog/2025-symposium/), **Ignite Creative Potential: The Aging Superpower.** *Exploring New Options, Self-Expression and Experiencing Joy* on Friday, Oct. 31st.   **For Reflection** (either individually or with a group) Read the blog. Read it a second time, maybe reading it aloud or asking someone else to read it aloud so you can hear it with different intonation and emphases. Invite the Divine to open your heart to allow the light of new understanding to pierce the shadows of embedded assumptions, stereotypes, and ways of thinking so that you may live more abundantly. Then spend some time with the following questions together with anything or anyone who helps you reflect more deeply.   - Would you describe yourself as a curious person? Why or why not? - About what topic, are you most curious to know more? - Do you have any plans to take a class or explore more about a subject? If not, what is stopping you?   [Download a pdf including the Reflection Questions](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dBM3vubWhAtJxKPdev3ctTxjOUb4ztUU/view?usp=sharing) to share and discuss with friends, family, or members of your faith community small group. Courtesy of [The Center for Abundant Aging](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/), promoting the riches of Abundant Aging; advocating for an inclusive society that conquers ageism; and delivering education and resources to transform how we think about elderhood. Blog: Copyright 2025, Kim Moeller. All Rights Reserved. Photo designed by [Freepik](https://www.freepik.com/).   - - - - [RETURN TO BLOG](https://blog.unitedchurchhomes.org/) ## About the Author ### Kim Moeller • Kim Moeller is the Abundant Aging Education & Program Specialist at the Ruth Frost Parker Center for Abundant Aging. She has an MDiv with honors from Wesley Theological Seminary and has served as Director of Small Groups for Menlo Park Presbyterian Church. She is a movie fanatic and reads anything from mysteries/suspense to religion to business to nonfiction. [View all articles by Kim Moeller](https://blog.unitedchurchhomes.org/author/kim-moeller) [![Ruth Frost Parker Center for Abundant Aging](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/wp-content/uploads/UCH_RFPCAA_Horiz_4c-1-1.png "Ruth Frost Parker Center for Abundant Aging")](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/the-center-for-abundant-aging/) #### Educational Opportunities - [Overview](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/educational-opportunities/) - [Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/educational-opportunities/clinical-pastoral-education-cpe/) - [Quellhorst Endowment Fund](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/educational-opportunities/quellhorst-scholars/) - [High School Community Service Opportunities](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/educational-opportunities/high-school-community-service-opportunities/) - [Internship-Undergraduate and Graduate](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/educational-opportunities/internships-undergraduate-and-graduate/) - [Research Opportunities](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/educational-opportunities/research-opportunities/) #### Engagement with Congregations - [Resources for Worship and Reflection](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/resources-for-worship-and-reflection/) - [Age-Friendly Congregations](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/age-friendly-congregations/) - [Church Resources](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/church-resources/) #### About the Center - [Overview](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/about-the-center/) - [Meet Rev. Beth Long-Higgins](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/meet-rev-beth-long-higgins/) - [Advisory Committee](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/advisory-committee/) - [Press Releases](https://www.abundantaging.org/category/press-releases/) Standards of Conduct [United Church Homes, Inc. (UCH) complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate, exclude or treat people different because of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, disability, genetic information or ancestry. Spanish: Chinese: German: Arabic: Pennsylvanian Dutch: Russian: French: Vietnamese: Korean: Italian: Japanese: Dutch: Ukrainian: Romanian: Albanian: Korean: Bengali: Polish: Tagalong.](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/wp-content/themes/uch-theme/assets/pdf/UCH-Discrimination-Policy.pdf) © 2026 United Church Homes, Inc. All Rights Reserved.