Dr. Lucas Hamilton, ý assistant professor of psychology and director of the aging studies program, likes to say, “Aging doesn't start at 65; it starts the moment you're born.” This is why Hamilton, who specializes in human aging, is partnering with , a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting positive aging for adults.
The partnership will kick off with the 2025 Lifelong Learning Program, where Hamilton will host a series of interactive TED Talk-style sessions at both of Active Generations’ locations. The sessions, which are scheduled to start in April, will focus on well-being, the power of music and brain health.
“I reached out to Active Generations to hopefully recruit older adult participants to amplify my research program at Augustana,” Hamilton said. “But, rather than just doing something for my own ends, it made more sense to do something that's beneficial not only for Active Generations’ members, but also for my students.
“While I get to volunteer and provide some lifelong learning opportunities for these individuals, my goal is that this becomes a way for Augustana students to also engage with these community members.”
Eventually, students minoring in aging studies will take on active roles within the Augustana/Active Generations partnership — teaching the sessions, creating their own and volunteering at the campuses.
“My role as the aging studies program director is to teach students how to engage, interact with and really serve this group of individuals in our society,” said Hamilton. “The goal is to start something that continues to build and becomes a tradition, a mainstay of the aging studies curriculum.”
For Active Generations, the partnership is an exciting and welcomed opportunity.
“There's a thirst for knowledge among our members, but we can't create these types of materials that Dr. Hamilton can,” said Active Generations President & CEO Betsy Schuster ‘07. “There is a misperception that Active Generations is only for a defined age, but we're all aging, so it's really about how we can create this community of learning regardless of age.”
Active Generations, which has been serving the Sioux Falls community since 1968, offers fitness centers, more than 50 social clubs, organized activities, a nutrition program, transportation and regular events like live bands, mahjong tournaments and line dancing. The organization also provides senior dining in the community through congregate sites and coordinates 24,000 meals per month for seniors through Meals on Wheels.
Additionally, the organization is home to Active Generations Adult Day Services, which provides respite care for caregivers, and Ceili Cottage Adult Day Services, which serves individuals with advanced dementia and/or Alzheimer’s disease and unable to stay home alone during the day.
Active Generations’ main campus is located on West 46th Street near SCHEELS, and in October 2023, a second campus opened on the east side of Sioux Falls near Dawley Farms. Membership applies to both locations, and anyone 18+ can become an Active Generations member — another misperception Schuster is working to break down.
“Active Generations is a vibrant community hub for any adult looking for connection and activity,” Schuster said. “People might not realize how much of an active community there is here. We just want to make sure that anybody who's seeking a place feels welcome to come.”
Hamilton echoed this sentiment, stating the importance of intergenerational relationships and supporting people as they get older — something he researches in his on-campus Healthy Experiences Across Life (HEAL) laboratory. The lab, which he runs with the help of students, uses socioemotional paradigms and neuropsychological testing to examine key health outcomes across life.
Hamilton’s Lifelong Learning Program at Active Generations will be an extension of his research, as well as a meaningful way to connect Augustana to the organization.
Schuster put it simply: “I think it's another way we can lift up the power of both organizations.”
Lifelong Learning Program at Active Generations With Dr. Lucas Hamilton
☂️ April: Well-Being as the New Cornerstone of Health
These sessions will unpack what it means to be healthy by taking a wellness approach to all aspects of life. Join us as we collectively work to better understand ourselves and how we might improve our cognitive, physical or spiritual wellness.
🌸 May: Music & the Mind
It is hard to deny the power music has over people. It can shape our mood, help us connect with each other and even bring back old memories. These sessions will explore the power of music and how we can better use it in our daily lives.
🌤️ June: Brain Health 101
Your brain is the most important and complex organ in your body. These sessions will cover basic neuroanatomy and core principles about brain health that can be easily implemented into practical steps toward bettering your brain health.
To learn more about the Lifelong Learning Program and view the full schedule of events, visit augie.edu/LifelongLearning. To learn more about psychology and the HEAL lab at Augustana, visit augie.edu/psychology. To learn about the aging studies minor, visit augie.edu/AgingStudies.