Road Scholar Expands Its Free “Age Well” Online Lectures
My friends at Road Scholar announced that its “Age Well” lecture series, provided online for free, will become an ongoing offering among the organization’s online course curriculum. I was interested to learn about this new lecture series and thought I would share the news with my blog readers. There are two more free lectures coming up for the remainder of 2025 — one is later this week — see below.
Road Scholar is offering free online lectures with its “Age Well’ programs
Are you familiar with Road Scholar?
Road Scholar is a not-for-profit world leader in educational experiences for older adults, serving 6.5 million lifelong learners since 1975. (My late MIL used to take trips when it was called Elder Hostel.) Road Scholar programs combine travel and education to provide experiential learning opportunities for adults over 50, featuring a wide range of topics, formats, activity levels, and locations—on all seven continents and throughout the United States.
I so want to take a vacay with Road Scholar one day in the future. It’s nice to see how the company inspires post 50 adults to keep exploring, discovering, and growing through the joy of lifelong learning. (BTW if you want some expert travel tips from RS read my past post about Senior-Friendly Tips for Traveling to Europe.)
“Age Well’ programs for aging adults and their caregivers
Its “Age Well” initiative was launched to provide expert-led guidance on how to navigate the challenges and opportunities of life’s later years, from health and wellness to social connection and emotional resilience.
“Preparing for the changes that come with older age, particularly the time of life we call the ‘Fourth Age,’ can be challenging,” said James Moses, President and CEO of Road Scholar. “We launched this lecture series to offer guidance and practical advice.”
Over the course of six pilot lectures in spring 2025, these free, one-hour lectures attracted thousands of attendees eager to explore health, wellness, and longevity through the lens of education and community.
Meditating and breathing exercises are a great way to stay calm as we age (Image provided by Road Scholar)
A wide variety of online lectures
Topics have included relocating in retirement, technology that supports aging, traveling with dementia and more. The program’s overwhelming popularity has inspired Road Scholar to make “Age Well” a permanent part of its curriculum. They will offer two free live online lectures each month, starting in January.
“The response has been profound. We know these lectures provide vital information for everyone preparing for or helping others navigate this stage of life,” said Moses. “We all seek to live vibrant, purposeful lives, and these ‘Age Well’ lectures are helping people achieve that aim.”
The inspiration for “Age Well” was deeply personal for Moses, as he cared for his mother who lived to be 101.
“Being a caregiver myself, I experienced firsthand the difficulty of navigating the later years of life— both for aging adults and their loved ones,” said Moses. “It made me acutely aware of the need to help people make this fourth stage of life both joyful and meaningful.”
Maintaining balance as we age is important (Image provided by Road Scholar)
Upcoming free virtual lectures for remainder of 2025
Age Well: Rethinking Retirement — Creating Your Own “Best-Places” List will be held on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, at 2 p.m. (ET)/ 11 a.m. (PT), to learn how to create your own criteria for finding your ideal retirement location. In this lecture, Dr. Catherine Frank, Director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNC Asheville, will explore noteworthy “best places to retire” lists including what these rankings measure and what they leave out.
Age Well: This Year Will Be Different — How to Stick to Your Resolutions will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, at 2 p.m. (ET)/11 a.m. (PT), to learn how to set goals and progress towards them this New Year and beyond. In this lecture, author Dr. Catherine Sanderson, a leading expert in positive psychology, will examine tools you can use to set and work towards goals, including instruction on SMART goals (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound goals).
Extending learning beyond the virtual classroom
Road Scholar has also launched a companion online Age Well Discussion Group on Facebook as well as an Age Well Blog Series. A newsletter and bookshop will follow. These spaces allow participants to continue their conversations, share experiences, and connect with others who are also navigating the aging journey.
To learn more and enroll in the free “Age Well” online lecture series, visit www.roadscholar.org/agewell.
Judi
Reader L said: “My parents went to many Elderhostel programs and loved them.”