Learning New Skills Later in Life: Keep the Brain Curious

What the research suggests

In one well-known study, older adults who spent weeks learning digital photography or quilting showed better memory afterwards than those who only socialised or did easy activities. The challenge appears to matter.

Ideas

Choose something you find interesting, not something that feels like homework.

• A language
• A musical instrument or singing in a choir
• Painting, drawing or pottery
• Photography or video on your phone
• Chess or bridge
• Writing your life story

How to stick with it

Join a class so you meet people, practise a little daily and share your progress with someone.

Languages, music and the brain

Learning a language is a demanding workout for memory and attention. Bilingual people have been shown in some studies to develop dementia symptoms several years later, though evidence is mixed. Whether or not that holds, language learning is rewarding: it connects you with new people and cultures. Apps, community classes and conversation groups all help. Learning music engages hearing, movement, reading and memory together.

Ten to fifteen minutes of daily practice adds up.

Computers, phones and the internet

Digital skills open doors: video calls with family, online banking, shopping, telehealth, learning, entertainment and community. Learn in short, patient sessions. Practise one task until it feels natural, such as sending a photograph. Write the steps in your own words. Practise safe behaviour online: strong passwords, no sharing of OTPs, caution with links. Libraries, senior centres and non-profits often offer free classes.

Do not be afraid to ask the same question twice.

Universities and courses for older learners

Many universities, open schools and online platforms offer free or low-cost courses for adults, with no entrance exams. Subjects range from history and literature to science, art, finance and health. Some offer a senior citizen quota or audit options. Learning with others adds motivation and friendship. Choose a topic that curiosity draws you to, and treat it as an adventure, not a test.

Many retirees say that learning gave their days new shape and meaning.

Overcoming fear and self-doubt

Many older adults fear looking foolish, making mistakes or being too slow. Remember that everyone is a beginner at something, and that learning is a process, not a test. Mistakes are signs of progress. Choose a patient teacher and a friendly group. Set small, achievable goals and celebrate them.

Tell yourself that you are learning for pleasure, not to compete. Compare yourself with your earlier self, not with younger learners.

If you have a memory problem or a hearing or vision impairment, ask for adaptations such as written notes, recordings or larger print. Support is available.

Keeping a record of what you learn

A learning journal, even a few lines a day, helps you see progress and remember. Note new words, chords, recipes or techniques, and what you want to try next. Photograph your work and keep a folder of achievements. Looking back after a few months is deeply motivating, and the journal can become a treasure for grandchildren.

Share your journal with a friend who is also learning.

The Synapse Project and what it taught us

In the Synapse Project, researchers randomly assigned older adults to spend about 15 hours a week for three months learning a demanding skill, such as digital photography or quilting, or doing less demanding social or relaxing activities. Those who learned something new and challenging showed greater improvements in memory than those in the other groups. The lesson is that novelty and effort matter more than simply staying busy.

The 2024 Lancet Commission on dementia also highlights lifelong learning and cognitive engagement as protective factors.

Choosing something to learn

Pick a subject that fascinates you, not one chosen out of duty. Consider a language, an instrument, painting, photography, cooking from another region, computer skills, history, chess, writing or woodwork. Look for classes with other learners, such as community colleges, libraries, universities for senior citizens and online courses. Beginner-friendly teachers matter. Start with a short course so that you can try without long commitment.

Making it stick

Practise in short sessions, ideally daily, rather than long, rare ones. Set small milestones: a first song, a first sentence in a new language, a first painting. Share your progress with others. Expect plateaus and forgetting, which are part of learning. Reward effort. Teaching someone else what you have learned deepens your own understanding.

Learning digital skills step by step

Begin with the phone: calls, messages, camera, photos. Move on to video calls and sharing pictures. Learn to search for information, and to use maps and online banking carefully. Take a class at a library, or ask a patient family member to teach you in short sessions. Make notes in your own words. Practise each skill several times before adding another. Many seniors find that learning technology opens doors to new friends and interests.

Learning together

Study with a partner or friend, which adds motivation and fun. Join a reading circle, a language exchange or a community-college class. Share what you learn with others. Learning in a group builds both knowledge and friendships, two ingredients of a healthy later life.