Older adults show immense cognitive and overall well-being benefits from learning as they age. With some upticks in life expectancy, including a quadrupling of those over the age of 100 in the coming years, finding ways to engage older adults is of paramount importance to flourishing communities.

Thankfully, Fort Worth has a vast number of resources and opportunities available for older adults. While Cowtown's current median age is 33.2 years as of 2022 — younger than other large Texas cities — our population boom has an older demographic shift, with 65+ representing more than 40% of the population by 2040.

Keep reading for academic and personal engagement opportunities for Fort Worth older adults.

Universities

Time to hit the books — going back to school doesn't have to be a full-time endeavor with these circulating classes at local universities.

Tarrant County College
TCC's senior education programs are customized for those ages 55+. The classes have no tests or grades and are primarily designed to help older adults find areas of interest or future activity.

Offerings: Photography, crocheting, weight training, woodcarving, computer basics, and "Downsize Life to Upsize Life" — a series of variable workshops designed to help older adults maximize their life — at the Southeast campus
Fees: $20 registration fee per 10-week semester with unlimited classes
Registration: Fall 2024 registration opens on Wednesday, Aug. 7 with classes beginning Monday, Sept. 9.

TCU
TCU's Silver Frogs programs include four-week classes, two-session mini-courses, and one-time lectures across the semester.

Offerings: Fall 2024 offerings aren't yet available, but Spring 2024 offerings included courses on cookbook writing, trips to Italy, the atomic bomb, and much more.
Fees: A one-time semester fee of $125
Registration: Fall 2024 registration will open on Thursday, June 6 at TCU Extended Education.

UNT
UNT's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) includes fall, spring, and summersemesters. There are seven in-person locations for OLLI, as well as Zoom classes. This February, an OLLI crew of 20 older adults did a murder mystery escape room.

Offerings: UNT regularly offers classes in calligraphy, astronomy, art deco, and the history of the phrase "I Love You." (Awww.)
Fees: Annual membership tiers ranging from $55 to $150
Registration: There is no single registration date, although the course dates can vary. You can begin with the OLLI registration form.

Community organizations

While universities often lead the way in older adult engagement, it's not just higher education institutions getting involved. Check out these local community groups and events.

Sixty & Better
Check out local programming such as community dances and creativity labs that offer both science-driven experiments and work with clay, decoupage, and leather.

United Way of Tarrant County
United Way's Reducing Social Isolation and Loneliness Collaborative (R-SILC) helps more than 3,400 older adults annually. One of R-SILC's programs provides eight in-home behavioral health sessions for isolated older adults.

Fort Worth Public Library
Find a variety of programming for older adults, including Coffee and Conversation at the East Berry branch (4300 E. Berry St.) on the last Friday of every month and Senior Social Hour every Saturday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Riverside branch (2913 Yucca Ave.). And yes — they call it Senior Social Hour, but you actually get two hours out of it.

Empowering Seniors and Senior Synergy
Retiring Tarrant County Commissioner Gary Fickes also created the Empowering Seniors program, which provides a mix of resources and events for older adults. On Thursday, Aug. 29, Fickes and Tarrant County Judge Tim O'Hare will co-host The Senior Synergy Expo from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Stay tuned for additional details.

What other activities catered to older adults do you participate in? Share them with us.