PrimeTime Institute (PTI) provides a wide variety of educational programs for people age 50+ that foster wellness, encourage personal and intellectual growth, and that provide an environment for developing new interests, making new friends, and becoming involved as volunteers.
PTI is a program of ElderCare of Alachua County, a non-profit organization providing various services for seniors such as Meals-on-Wheels, Alz Place, etc. All PTI programs and activities are planned and presented entirely by volunteer members and speakers, with expenses supported by optional memberships and donations. Additional information about PTI, including program updates, is available at our website www.primetimeinstitute.org or by contacting Susan Williams at 352-214-6219.
We appreciate the speakers who provide free programs for our seniors; however, please understand that PTI does not endorse any company, product, or service.
We continue with HYBRID programs — the speaker in-person at the Senior Recreation Center, along with attendees willing to gather there, and a simultaneous online webinar option through Zoom. We have learned that many people are able to participate online who are unable to come to the Center for a variety of reasons. Watch for Sunday messages each week to learn of any changes in that week’s Thursday program.
TIME: Unless otherwise noted, programs will be on Thursdays from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Nov. 20th, Maintaining Independence and Quality of Life in Neurodegenerative Disorders: An Occupational Therapists Perspective Heather Simpson Martin, OTD, OTR/L | Occupational Therapist, will identify the three types of neurodegenerative disorders and discuss how these disorders impact occupational performance and roles. She will explain how occupational therapy can be a helpful tool in managing symptoms.
Nov. 27th, NO program observing the holiday. Happy Thanksgiving!
Dec. 4th, AI in Hearing Healthcare Audiologist Dr. Ryan Baker will talk about the role of AI in hearing healthcare. Baker has a Ph.D. in audiology from UF. Before working at Audiology by Accent, Baker was an audiologist at UF. He graduated from FSU in communication studies after which he worked at CNN in Atlanta on a satellite news gathering team. He has a Certificate of Clinical Confidence from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. He is on the Board of ElderCare, and a music director at 90.1, the WOMBAT. His clinical expertise includes diagnostics and amplification, serving musicians’ hearing needs and Tinnitus Retraining Therapy. He plays keyboards in local bands and is an avid record collector.
Dec. 11th, Mount Everest Climb Dr. Anand Rangarajan, Professor in the UF Computer and Information Sciences and Engineering, will talk about his training and successful climb to the Mt. Everest Base Camp in May & June of this year. He was one of 10 participants led by Sherrilene Classen of Gainesville Health and Fitness. Learn about the rigorous pre-hike training, climbing and descending Mt. Everest in Nepal.
Dec. 18th, Wildlife, Invasives, and Infrastructure: Linking Urban and Natural Ecosystems Our environment is constantly changing, and many of those changes are linked to how people shape the land. Alan Ivory is a Ph.D. student in the School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatic Sciences at the University of Florida. He will share how both invasive plants and city infrastructure influence the way wildlife lives and moves.
Dec. 25th, NO program observing Christmas. Happy Holidays!
Recent Events
Strolling to the River Sink
Outing to O'Leno State Park
Located along the banks of the scenic Santa Fe River, a tributary of the Suwannee River, the park features sinkholes, hardwood hammocks, river swamps, and sandhills. As the river courses through the park, it disappears underground and reemerges over three miles away in the River Rise State Preserve. One of Florida's first state parks, O'Leno was first developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s. The suspension bridge built by the CCC still spans the river. During our visit, park staff gave a fascinating presentation on the exploration of the underground portion of the Santa Fe.