Our Resident Enrichment Academy for Living (R.E.A.L.) provides a platform for residents and staff to showcase their passions, skills, and talents to the Holland Home community. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this October, R.E.A.L. has been an instrumental part of our Vibrant Living program, helping residents grow mentally, maintain an open mind, learn and teach skills, and expand and challenge themselves. Through a range of intellectually stimulating events and programming, such as book clubs, monthly lectures and seminars, and anti-aging mental games, R.E.A.L. has helped us maintain a culture of discovery here at Holland Home.

Our academy was created to help ensure that our programming was not only entertaining but purposeful. There is no age limit to learning and growth, and over a decade of community enrichment is proof that residents are willing, able, and eager to continue pushing their mental and intellectual limits. Residents have a lifetime of wisdom, knowledge, and experience to share—why not give them a platform to do so? It’s always our goal to make sure we are, first and foremost, tapping into the wisdom and talents living and working within our walls.

Topics and ideas for courses can come from numerous sources—like residents’ experiences, staff member’s observations, or current trends. For example, the finance department may alert us to an uptick in scams, so we would collaborate to put together a speaker on that topic. Or a resident who has recently experienced a health issue may want to bring awareness and advocacy on that subject to campus. While ideas come from a variety of people and sources, all are required to be voted on by the R.E.A.L. Advisory Board.

For the last decade, residents have been flocking to R.E.A.L. courses, welcoming the chance to learn something new, meet other residents, and be active members of the Holland Home community. To learn more about our Vibrant Living program and its offerings, visit the link below.