Who wouldn’t want to learn how to “master” the inevitable process of aging?

Community members have the opportunity to learn many aging-well skills through a free Aging Mastery Program set for Oct. 14 through Nov. 18.

The a deadline to sign up is Oct. 7. The free series is open to anyone interested in participating but will focus on skills for people age 55 and older.

The 10-class educational series across five weeks will include local speakers providing helpful information on topics including

• Navigating longer lives though exercise, sleep, healthy eating and hydration

• Financial fitness

• Medication management

• Advance planning

• Healthy relationships

• Falls prevention

• Community engagement.

“All of the Aging Mastery Program materials and resources align with the overarching goal of helping people enjoy meaningful, good lives,” said organizer Katie Maloney, family and consumer science specialist at Routt County CSU Extension.

The program, originally developed by the National Council on Aging, is designed to empower older adults to make and maintain small but impactful changes in their lives. It is also billed as a fun, innovative education offering that embraces the gift of longer lives.

Central to the course philosophy is the belief that modest lifestyle changes can produce big results in quality of life and that people can learn to stay healthy and make the most of their longer lives, according to organizers.

The program incorporates evidence-informed materials, group discussion, peer support and small rewards to give participants the skills and tools they need to achieve measurable improvements in managing their health, enhancing well-being, remaining economically secure and increasing societal participation.

The Exercise and You class, for example, will include discussions of the importance of exercising both the mind and the body with a focus on strategies for incorporating meditation, aerobics, strengthening, flexibility and balance into daily routines.

A class on slumber skills will provide an overview of how sleep patterns change as people age, the importance of monitoring the sleep cycle and simple strategies to improve sleep.

The Financial Fitness class will introduce participants to strategies for remaining economically secure in an era of longevity with an emphasis on setting financial goals and setting financial boundaries with friends and families.

The Advance Planning class will offer guidance about key steps needed to manage health care, financial and housing decisions with a focus on considering the role of personal values and beliefs in these decisions.

Routt County Council on Aging Executive Director April Sigman said interest in the aging mastery series has been strong.

“All of the topics are super important, and we are really excited to have the extension office offering this class,” Sigman said. “It covers broad topics that we address throughout the year; to have them in one series of sessions is beneficial.”

The classes will run 10-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Fridays from Oct. 14 to Nov. 18 (with a break on Veterans Day) at the Steamboat Springs Community Center, 1605 Lincoln Ave. The series will also include a free workbook.

A bonus session on the topic of Sexual Health for Older Adults will be offered at 10 a.m. Nov. 21 and is open to program participants and any interested community members.

Guest speakers teaching the classes will include professionals from such agencies at UC Health and Yampa Valley Community Foundation. To register, contact Maloney at kmaloney@co.routt.co.us or 970-879-0825 through Oct. 7.