SRI University Goes to the Top of the Class

Published: February 1, 2022

Throughout  SRI Management  communities in 2021, we introduced the SRI University program challenging residents’ minds while helping them stay mentally fit. We believe keeping seniors mentally fit is just as important as seniors staying physically fit.

We have taken what we learned last year and tweaked the 2022 program to be even better for our residents! SRI Management’s very own Senior Director of Experience Rich DeLong is overseeing the program to ensure the experience is at the head of the class.

“There’s something amazing that happens when seniors experience SRI University,” DeLong said. “Seniors begin to feel a sense of purpose, a sense of being and a sense of place. And they’re learning about new things in a safe, social way.”

This month residents started the new “school” session and feedback has been great.

Eighty-nine-year-old Jeanne M. said, “I enjoy the SRI University learning and I look forward to it each week. It keeps me young.”

With classes slated throughout the year, our Director of Activities have plans in-hand and are excited to see residents complete each course.

“The SRI University program really puts our seniors in a setting where they can learn, interact and stay active, “January Fitzgerald, a Director of Activities in one of our South Carolina communities, said. “A program like this is important as people age. I know our residents look forward to our next class. So do I!”

SRI University is the premier life-long learning program that is designed to meet the needs of the older adult learner. Classes are offered university-style where sometimes the resident is the teacher and other times, they are the students.

Each month has an educational theme, and each week a new course is taught. Courses range from the Art of Being Happy to studying America’s most fortified locations. Not only will residents receive knowledge through this life-long learning program experience, but they will also receive a university badge and certificates of completion.

SRI University is a voluntary experience and open to all residents who would like to stay mentally fit.

“I’m excited for the future of SRI University,” DeLong said. “I’m more excited to see our seniors have such a good time engaging and being able to learn in a social manner. What’s not to love about that?”

About the Program Lead
Rich DeLong, SRI Management’s Senior Director of Experience, heads up this new program.

Rich has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of South Florida and a Master of Education from Georgia Southwestern State University.

As a former coach, teacher, and community volunteer, Rich was named Teacher of the Year twice, and Volunteer of the Year for the Council on Aging, American Heart Association, and the Chamber of Commerce.

For many years he wrote a great bi-weekly newspaper column titled Senior Moments and has been a guest presenter for several professional and national organizations on topics including Leadership, Alzheimer’s & Dementia, Senior Care and Senior Wellness.

Rich is also a former senior living Executive Director.

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