Education Spotlight

April 2026 Newsletter

Senior Nutrition

Good nutrition is one of the most powerful tools we have to support healthy aging—yet it’s often one of the most overlooked. Whether you’re caring for a loved one or making choices for your own well-being, what we eat plays a vital role in energy, strength, and overall quality of life.

In this issue, we feature a new video on practical strategies for supporting balanced nutrition and healthy eating through realistic meal planning, prepared foods, and community partnerships. Learn how convenience, affordability, and accessibility influence nutrition choices.

Making Nutrition Practical

Eat Well Be Well

Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body

Metro Meals on Wheels

Visit the LEARN Community Resources Channel for introductions to more than 50 Community Resources available to help you navigate your aging and caregiving journey.

Click Here to go to the Community Resources Channel

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National Healthcare Decisions Day

National Healthcare Decisions Day

National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD), observed annually on April 16th, is a nationwide initiative to inspire, educate, and empower the public to complete advance care plans and document their healthcare wishes.

In honor of National Health Care Decisions Day, hospice pioneer Barbara Karnes, RN, shares her extensive experience and knowledge about Advanced Care Planning. Barbara reminds us about the importance of writing down your end-of-life choices and sharing your decisions with your family. It is one of the greatest gifts you can give to yourself and those you love.

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End-of-Life Channel

The Gift of Advanced Care Planning

We invite you to explore all of the content on the LEARN Idaho End-of-Life Channel. And, we extend our gratitude to Barbara Karnes, RN, Ancora Health Services, Alsip & Persons Funeral Chapel, and Christine Soza from True North Awakening for making it possible to bring this valuable information to our community free of charge.

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Technology Education

How to Tell If a Text Is a Scam

Scam texts are getting trickier, but the good news is there are simple warning signs you can learn to spot. In this short video, we walk through the red flags that give scammers away — things like urgent language, unfamiliar links, and messages from numbers you don't recognize. Once you know what to look for, these texts become much easier to catch before you ever tap a thing.

This video is quick and easy to follow, so feel free to share it with a friend or family member who might find it helpful:

How to Tell if a Text is a Scam

Meta Grant Awarded to the LEARN Technology Education Program

We are delighted to share that LEARN has been awarded a $25,000 Meta Data Center Community Action Grant.

This is our second year receiving support for our Technology Education program from this Meta program that provides funding for nonprofits that address critical community needs by putting technology to use for community benefit. LEARN will be providing older veterans and their caregivers with peer-to-peer digital navigation support and AI-enhanced digital training and skills building.

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Ladies' Tea and Social

Ladies' Tea and Social

We invite you to join us for a Ladies' Tea and Social on Saturday, April 25th, from 10:00-11:30 AM at the Meridian Senior Center.

Step into a delightful morning of connection, elegance, and conversation and savor a full tea service featuring carefully brewed teas, delicate pastries, and finger sandwiches — everything you’d expect from a classic tea party, served with a touch of charm.

Between sips and bites, enjoy a short presentation on the history of tea parties, exploring the traditions, stories, and fashions that have made tea gatherings such a cherished part of social life.

This event is free for guests age 60+ and only $20 for guests under 60. Proceeds will benefit LEARN and the Meridian Senior Center. Click the link below to reserve your tickets today!

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Health and Resource Fair Program

2026 Health and Resource Fair Program

The LEARN Health and Resource Fair Program will be at the Dick Eardley Senior Center in Boise on April 21. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet local professionals, explore valuable services, and gather practical information to help you make confident decisions about aging, caregiving, and what comes next. Whether you’re planning ahead or responding to immediate needs, you’ll find resources and relationships that can support you every step of the way.

Below is a list of vendors who are participating in this year's program:

Special thanks to our 2026 Health and Resource Fair Program Sponsor, Senior Helpers, for supporting this year's Health and Resource Fair Program. Their support makes it possible to bring these FREE events to our community throughout 2026!

You can find more information about future LEARN Health and Resource Fair events as well as Community Events at which LEARN will be present at the below link.

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Encore Book Club

Encore Book Club

The "Encore Book Club" is a welcoming space for senior adults to connect, engage, and explore books that inspire lifelong learning, personal growth, and new possibilities. LEARN Member Laureen Quick hosts a monthly discussion about a book related to aging, caregiving, personal reinvention, or community!

The Book Club selection for April is Gilead by Marilynne Robinson — a quiet, reflective novel told as a letter from an aging minister, John Ames, to his young son. Through memories of faith, family, and moral conflict across generations, it explores love, forgiveness, and the sacred beauty of ordinary life. Join in the discussion on Tuesday, 4/14, from 6:30-7:30.

Find event details and more information about this month's Book selection on our Facebook page:

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Community Event Updates

Community Event Updates

On March 28th, LEARN and Aging Strong Powered by Jannus shared a table at the Warhawk Air Museum Vietnam Veterans Appreciation Day for hundreds of Vietnam Vets. If you know someone who served during that difficult chapter of our history, take a moment to say those simple but powerful words: "Welcome Home." You may be the very first person who has ever said it to them.

On March 31st, LEARN members were pleased to honor Tallon Barnhart at our quarterly in-person networking event as our Community MVP in recognition of his efforts supporting our Technology Education Program as a work-study student from the College of Western Idaho.

We are excited that Tallon will continue his engagement with LEARN in support of the new META Kuna Data Center grant program that will focus on Technology Education for our Veteran population.

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Thank you to our Channel & Organization Sponsors

Thank You to Our Sponsors

LEARN is supported entirely by the generosity of community businesses, aging and caregiving professionals, and community members. We extend our sincere gratitude to all of our sponsors and partners who make our free community education possible.

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Help Us Spread The Word

Help Us Spread The Word!

Please share this newsletter with your friends, family, and contacts! Subscribe Now

LEARN: Lifelong Education and Aging Resource Network is an Idaho non-profit organization providing FREE education for mature adults, family caregivers, and the professionals serving them. Our mission is to help people navigate the joys and challenges of aging and caregiving.

Our vision is to serve as a trusted source of information and resources – for the community by the community – in the topic areas of health, wealth, lifestyle, and caregiving. All of our volunteer educators are professionals who are members or partners of LEARN. We are supported entirely by the generosity of community businesses, aging and caregiving professionals, and community members.

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We thank you for your support.

LEARN provides access to a broad range of resources and information on aging and caregiving topics. LEARN does not take a position on any of our educational topics. LEARN content is provided for general informational purposes only and is not to be considered legal, financial, or health advice. Please consult with your legal, financial, healthcare, or other service providers before taking action based on this information.

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