Save the Date: You Are Cordially Invited!

You are cordially invited to attend our FUN annual open house at Red Butte Garden on Thursday August 7 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. This is a true open house, no registration is needed this year, and no Osher membership is required. Invite a friend to introduce them to the magic that is Osher!

Osher fall term instructors will preview their upcoming courses running from September through November. You can meet our outstanding instructors, ask questions, see the course syllabus for over 120 classes, socialize with fellow Osher members, learn about upcoming events and volunteer opportunities, and register in person, if you prefer a delightful live human from our wonderful registration team, instead of online registration. Fall registration will open Tuesday August 5 at 9:00 am.

Coffee, tea, juice, and a light Continental breakfast will be served. And you will be free to enjoy the garden for as long as you’d like. Free parking is available at Red Butte and at our lot at 540 Arapeen Drive. A shuttle bus will run from Arapeen Drive and stop along the way in overflow parking areas to take you directly to the front entrance.

We will be collecting donations of school supplies for children in need at a local school district, thanks to dedicated Osher member and volunteer Connie Reed. Because back-to-school is an exciting new time for all learners, whatever their age. There is always more to learn. Thank you, Connie!

Calling All Volunteers – An Opportunity to Be an Osher Ambassador at the Open House!

Do you love Osher and want to give back to this wonderful program by serving as a volunteer? We would love to have you!

We are currently seeking volunteers to serve as Osher Ambassadors to help greet and direct people at our annual open house at Red Butte Garden on August 7. Volunteers will start early, between 9:00 and 9:30 am to help Osher staff with various necessary tasks at this fun event, one of our biggest of the year.

This is a low effort but high impact and fun way to get involved. Join us to learn more about this volunteer opportunity and find out what tasks are needed at the open house in a fun, free classroom session.

Osher Ambassador Volunteer Training Workshop

Monday August 4 at 10:30 am at 540 Arapeen Drive in Room 238

Special Events for Summer

Watch ABC4's Good Things Utah Live and Tour Their Studios

In this very special event, Osher Director Jill E. Meyer will be featured as a guest on ABC4's Good Things Utah on Wednesday, July 30^th to promote Osher and our upcoming fall term classes. Let's support Jill, our director, watch the show as a member of the live studio audience, and take a special behind-the-scenes tour of Utah's ABC Channel 4 television station after the show.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: July 24

Wednesday, July 30 at 8:30 am

Active & Able with Arthritis

Do your joints ache when you move? Do you want to have more energy? Join us at a gentle exercise class meant for anyone who wants to feel better, even if you do not have arthritis. This free class is offered by Susan Carter, who has a BS in Physical Education and Health from the U, and is a certified Arthritis Fitness Exercise Program (AFEP) and yoga instructor. This class offers a gentle warm up for the joints, followed by movement to enhance balance and coordination, along with cardiovascular and strength exercises, and is open to all fitness levels (attendees can be seated or standing).

Monday, August 11 at 11:00 am – Registration Deadline August 8

FREE Vivo Virtual Event: The Benefits of Strength Training for Life's Journey

Join experts in healthy aging for a FREE one-hour webinar exploring the science of strength training as we age. Learn how staying strong boosts mood, sleep, and memory, and discover key strategies for success, including the role of protein and everyday ways to incorporate strength training into your routine. Each Zoom session features a live interactive demo, followed by a Q&A to address your questions about possibly joining us for Vivo Fitness classes through Osher in a future term!

Vivo Fitness - Phase 1 Study Results Announced: Positive Outcomes for Seniors!

In 2022, Vivo was awarded a National Institute of Health (NIH) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant and partnered with Duke University to assess the feasibility and acceptability of Vivo Fitness for older adults with prediabetes.

Sarcopenia is the progressive loss of muscle mass and strength that occurs with aging, leading to slower movements, decreased strength, and increased risk of falls. On average, adults experience a 30% muscle mass loss between ages 50–70. The good news is that sarcopenia can be managed through resistance training, preserving muscle strength and function.

For older adults with prediabetes, there is an added concern. Through metabolic and physiological changes, aging and insulin resistance can lead to impaired physical function and a progression to type 2 diabetes (T2DM); individuals with T2DM have increased risk for functional disability and mobility limitation.

Last fall, Vivo was pleased to share Phase 1 results at the annual Gerontological Society meeting in Seattle, Washington. Out of the 28 individuals enrolled, 22 (79%) successfully completed the 12-week intervention and 85% of these individuals attended all classes. The impressive results revealed:

• 27% increase in upper body strength (30-sec arm curl)
• 13.5% increase in lower body strength (30-sec chair stand)
• 33% improvement in endurance (2-minute knee raise)

Outcomes for the University of Utah Osher Vivo Winter Program

• 14 members participated in 6 weeks of Vivo
• 24% improvement in balance. Members were able to stand on one leg for 30.7 seconds at the start of Vivo. After 6 weeks, they were able to stand on one leg for 38.2 seconds, indicating an improvement in balance.
• 7% improvement leg strength. Number of chair stands member were able to complete in 30 seconds increased from 14 to 15 over the course of 6 weeks, demonstrating improvement in leg strength.
• 29% improvement in endurance. Number of knee raises members were able to complete in 2 minutes increased from 79 to 102 over the course of 6 weeks.
• 6% improvement in upper body strength. Number of arm curls members were able to complete in 30 seconds increased from 16 to 17 over the course of 6 weeks, demonstrating improved upper body strength.
• High program satisfaction. 100% of members reported being very satisfied with Vivo. Members reported feeling stronger and had better balance. One member said “I've noticed I can get up off of the floor in an easier manner.”

Donate to Help Osher Thrive!

Help Osher thrive! We need your support to keep our Osher Institute thriving. The University of Utah provides administrative support, the Bernard Osher Endowment funds 35%, and 65% comes from your wonderful Osher memberships and tuition. Every dollar helps us create outstanding new courses, support our dedicated instructors, plan exciting special events, grant scholarships, and so much more! Your contribution ensures that Osher can continue to grow, offering 350+ courses each year, building a vibrant community of curious adults, ages 50 and better, who bring a wealth of life experiences to our very special program. Your donations make all the difference, especially to those members who receive generous scholarships to attend our classes. Thank you to all our many wonderful Osher donors!