SLU Geriatrics Offers One-Day Conference for Older Adults

The University of the Third Age (U3A) will hold a daylong program for seniors on Saturday, June 10, at the Margaret McCormick Doisy Learning Resources Center. Titled "Swing Into Spring," participants will have an opportunity to investigate a variety of subjects, such as swing dancing, travel planning, storytelling, railroad history and prayer journals.

The keynote speaker will be Dr. Richard P. Johnson, president of the Association for Senior Adult Ministry, who will discuss "Retirement as a Spiritual Journey." U3A was launched at Saint Louis University in 1996, primarily to provide a cultural environment and activities for "third-agers" -- those who are in their retirement years and seek outlets for maintaining their vitality. The U3A movement began in France, and its development in the United States was fostered by John E. Morley, M.D., director of the division of geriatric medicine.

Workshops cover a variety of subjects from health and history to discussion of local landmarks. The daylong sessions take place three times a year in March, June and October. In between, various ongoing small groups meet to discuss specific topics. U3A conference sponsors are the division of geriatric medicine and the Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center of the St. Louis Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The registration fee is $11 for U3A members and $16 for non-members. The fee includes costs of parking and both breakfast and lunch. For more information or to register, call 577-8462 and ask for Operator U3A. Registrants will be sent directions to the LRC and for parking.

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