Since You Are Not A Dog
The phrase, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” is sometimes used to imply that an older person can’t learn a new skill. In fact, some oldsters even apply that phrase to themselves when they’re not keen to participate in certain activities. But is it true that older people can’t learn something new? Absolutely not.
What is true is that people in their 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and beyond, learn new skills and concepts all the time. They take piano lessons, start YouTube channels, build websites, and learn to make sourdough bread. Or they put effort into expanding their current skills.
When Pablo Casals — the great Spanish and Puerto Rican cellist — was in his 80s, he still practiced his cello 4 to 5 hours each day. When asked why, he famously replied, “I think I’m making progress.” Indeed, some oldsters use their later years to do astonishing things.
I have a picture tacked to my office bulletin board of a Seattle woman paddling a sea kayak. The photo was taken when she was 104 years old and navigating the big, choppy waters of Puget Sound. She started kayaking in earnest at the age of 82, after retiring from her career as a book editor.
In October 2022, the New York Times ran a story about 91-year-old Carmen Dell’Orefice, the world’s oldest super model, which included a (mostly) nude photo of her. In 2015, Doreetha Daniels received her associate degree in social sciences from College of the Canyons, in Santa Clarita, California. She was 99 years old.
Some people shrink into a sedentary life of routine and safety as they age. Others get curious and stay active. They contribute their skills and knowledge to their communities with part-time or volunteer jobs. They take classes, travel, and figure out how to use smart phone apps. They know that learning something new is possible at any stage of life. According to AARP, the most popular topics with older students are history, food and drink, mental health, basic technology, and diet and nutrition.
Senior Centers offer classes, as well as social events. You can learn to play the ukulele, lift weights, do yoga or line dancing, and enjoy lunch with friends. Many cities also offer adult education courses. If you want to go back to college, some universities offer a senior citizen tuition waiver to anyone over the age of 65. And the number of educational opportunities available online is simply staggering.
The benefits of learning are numerous. Research done by the World Health Organization shows that intellectual aptitude doesn’t necessarily decline as you age. And that people who regularly challenge themselves, both mentally and physically, showed cognitive benefits, including a reduced risk of Alzheimer's and other memory-related conditions.
In an article published in the Harvard Business Review, John Coleman observed that among people he knows “those who dedicate themselves to learning and who exhibit curiosity are almost always happier and more socially and professionally engaging than those who don’t.” And he echoes WHO findings about the benefits of continuing education on memory: “research indicates that learning to play a new instrument can offset cognitive decline, and learning difficult new skills in older age is associated with improved memory.”
Research published by AARP in 2021 stated that “The benefits of lifelong learning are many but the most significant is the impact on brain health.” Other benefits related to learning something new include improved self-confidence, active citizenship, self-motivation, and enhanced social inclusion.
The phrase “It is hard to teach an old dog new tricks” was published in John Fitzherbert's Book of Husbandry (1523), where it, literally, referred to the difficulty of teaching an old dog a new skill. But since you are not a dog, you can ignore Fitzherbert’s statement and follow your curiosity into new mental, physical, and social adventures.
A version of this article appeared in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle in March 2023.
