“There are as many options, paths, and ways to age as there are Oklahomans aging. We're here so you don't have to figure it out alone.”
At Francis Tuttle Technology Center, learning happens at many stages of life. From full-time career training programs for high school and adult students to open enrollment classes and workforce development opportunities, Francis Tuttle has long served as a place where the community comes to learn.
Two programs that host regular sessions at the technology center are the Senior Living Truth Series and the Time for Living Seminars. Both meet monthly and offer older adults and their families an opportunity to gain practical knowledge, connect with local resources, and build community. The Senior Living Truth Series meets on the Rockwell Campus, while the Time for Living Seminars are held on the Danforth Campus.
Each session focuses on a different topic and features expert guest speakers. About 150 people register for the Senior Living Truth Series each month, and recent discussions have covered areas like downsizing, when to call 911 and what to expect when doing so, and recognizing and avoiding scams. Upcoming sessions will address topics such as traveling smart in retirement, home insurance, and paying for care.
For Francis Tuttle, the seminars have become an additional way to introduce community members to what is happening on the technology center’s campuses. Attendees will often tell Kaycie Craig, a consultant on Francis Tuttle’s Workforce and Economic Development team, about what technology education looked like when they were growing up. She then has the opportunity to tell them more about what Francis Tuttle and CareerTech offer students and the community now.
“Having these seniors on our campuses has been amazing,” Craig said. “They feel empowered and are gaining knowledge. … I’ve enjoyed having the opportunity to explain to them how CareerTech works. A lot of them have grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and they’ll say they didn’t know they could come to Francis Tuttle, so it has been rewarding telling them about the opportunities here.”
Education Partners, including retirement communities, assisted living facilities, hospice providers, and other industry experts, play a key role in making the seminars possible. Their financial sponsorship allows the sessions to remain free, while also giving attendees direct access to professionals who can answer questions and provide resources.
Beyond the monthly seminars, partners of the Senior Living Truth Series also host expert insight meetings and community tours throughout the year, offering deeper dives into specialized topics. Recent examples have included a workshop on storms and insurance and tours of local senior living and rehabilitation facilities. Organizers emphasize that the seminars are educational, not sales pitches.
Luann Wright, a frequent attendee on the Rockwell Campus, said that even if a topic does not apply to her current situation, she still leaves with useful insight. Wright encourages others to attend sessions that may not seem directly applicable to them, especially since it’s a place to meet new people and interact with others who attend each month.
“I think it’s good to know different aspects of what you can learn here,” Wright said. “There’s always good information that you can gather from the topics they offer. … It’s a good way to gain information on things that you may not even think about that you need.”
For Becky Seda, who leads the Senior Living Truth Series along with her husband Roberto, the feedback they value most is hearing that the seminars have sparked important conversations between attendees and their families.
“People leave feeling more prepared for whatever life may throw at them,” Seda shared. “One of the things we're most proud of is that even when someone walks in the door not particularly interested in that month's topic, they always walk away with new knowledge they can use or share. That tells us people trust the series — and that trust is everything.”
Both seminars have recently increased access across the metro with expansion to second locations, the Senior Living Truth Series at Moore Norman Technology Center and the Time for Living Seminars at the Mustang Senior Center. Their purpose remains rooted in helping Oklahomans navigate aging with confidence.
“We never know what life will throw our way — and knowing what resources are out there is a game changer,” Seda said. “Knowing what you don't want is just as important as knowing what you do want. So explore, learn, ask questions — you'll be amazed at all of the opportunities that await you. There are as many options, paths, and ways to age as there are Oklahomans aging. We're here so you don't have to figure it out alone.”