Life Planning   

What is cryptocurrency? Join us and find out. This course is primarily for those who know little to nothing about cryptocurrencies (of which bitcoin is the most well-known). Each session will include in-class instruction using PowerPoint slide presentations and video clips followed by group discussions. We will review the history of money and world economies. You can expect to gain a greater understanding of the role cryptocurrencies are now playing in the world’s geopolitical and monetary arenas, focusing particularly on the role the U.S. is and will be playing and how it might affect us. By the end of the course you can expect to have a basic understanding of cryptocurrencies, as well as to have enough knowledge to procure and manage your own bitcoin.

DISCLAIMER AND LIABILITY WAIVER: This course is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. By enrolling, you assume all investment risks and agree to hold Southern Oregon University and its representatives harmless from any financial losses, damages or claims. 

This four-session course will focus on important services and support one can receive when providing end-of-life care to a loved one. The importance of self-care during this process will be reinforced during the course. There will be ample time for discussion and questions. Topics will include: 1) Importance of completing advance directives and having the discussion; 2) Importance of caregiver self-care and use of resources; 3) Stages of dying and the use of hospice, palliative and home care; and 4) Importance of recognizing grief and understanding the process of such. A tour of Celia’s House, a residential hospice facility in Medford, is included. The course is open to any student who wishes to gain an understanding in preparing for this phase of life.

This four-session course will focus on important services and support one can receive when providing end-of-life care to a loved one. The importance of self-care during this process will be reinforced during the course. There will be ample time for discussion and questions. Topics will include: 1) Importance of completing advance directives and having the discussion; 2) Importance of caregiver self-care and use of resources; 3) Stages of dying and the use of hospice, palliative and home care; and 4) Importance of recognizing grief and understanding the process of such. A tour of Celia’s House, a residential hospice facility in Medford, is included. The course is open to any student who wishes to gain an understanding in preparing for this phase of life.

This course will examine and allow for discussion of end-of-life healthcare options including palliative care, hospice, medical aid in dying (MAID), the Oregon Death With Dignity Act (DWDA), Voluntarily Stopping Eating & Drinking (VSED), POLST and advance directives. Two 90-minute sessions will allow for lectures and case presentations on these topics as well as adequate time for discussion and questions. The primary presenter is an Oregon physician with experience in family and emergency medicine, EMS medical direction and end-of-life care. Some topics may be covered in presentations from other experienced and knowledgeable local healthcare providers.

NOTE: This is an educational course, and no specific medical advice, services, care or prescriptions will be provided to attendees.

This course introduces the fundamentals of Oregon estate planning, which includes wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney, incapacity planning, guardianships, conservatorships, POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) and advance healthcare directives. Students will learn how assets are transferred, how incapacity is managed, and the basics of probate, trust administration and the Oregon estate tax. Instruction includes lectures, discussion and practical examples. Topics include fiduciary roles, decision-making authority and planning strategies. No prior legal knowledge is required. This course presents a general legal perspective and is structured as lectures followed by guided discussion and real-world scenarios. 

This course introduces the fundamentals of Oregon estate planning, which includes wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney, incapacity planning, guardianships, conservatorships, POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) and advance healthcare directives. Students will learn how assets are transferred, how incapacity is managed, and the basics of probate, trust administration and the Oregon estate tax. Instruction includes lectures, discussion and practical examples. Topics include fiduciary roles, decision-making authority and planning strategies. No prior legal knowledge is required. This course presents a general legal perspective and is structured as lectures followed by guided discussion and real-world scenarios. 

This course is designed for those with little or no knowledge of maintaining and repairing a home. You’ll learn how water, gas and electricity enter a home and how to shut them off; how to change the filter in your furnace; and how to clean the coils on your refrigerator. We’ll talk about how to replace a light switch and outlet, fix door problems, plumbing and electricity, and what tools to have. You’ll learn what to watch out for outside the home, such as clogged gutters, water leaks, siding damage and invasive vegetation. We’ll discuss the advantages and disadvantages of buying through big-box stores versus independent merchants, how to choose a contractor and not get cheated, and other issues in maintenance and repair. Class members will have a chance to raise issues specific to their homes.

NOTE: There is no class on Nov. 11.

Retirement brings a new set of financial decisions — and opportunities. This course explores practical strategies for managing money in retirement with greater confidence and clarity. Through lectures and discussion, we will cover topics such as retirement income planning, investment management, Social Security claiming strategies, Roth conversions, required minimum distributions, tax planning, charitable giving and insurance considerations. How to evaluate financial advisers and common retirement risks will also be discussed. The course is designed for those who want a better understanding of how the various pieces of retirement finance fit together. No prior financial background is required. Participants are encouraged to ask questions, share experiences and learn from one another.

DISCLAIMER AND LIABILITY WAIVER: This course is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. By enrolling, you assume all investment risks and agree to hold Southern Oregon University and its representatives harmless from any financial losses, damages or claims.

While many Oregonians have advance directives for healthcare, there are other documents they can use to help shape the kinds and extent of healthcare they want as they age. This course explores directives, healthcare representation, HIPAA rules, Physician’s Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) and Oregon’s Death With Dignity law to help students guide their own decision-making and care. There will be four in-class discussions with PowerPoint slides and handouts and some recommended reading (none required).

This course will introduce participants to natural burial (aka green, eco, conservation or forest burial) and empower them to make value-aligned choices for after-death care. Attendees will learn what industry standards and environmental practices make “green” burial so green, as well as what natural burials look like and entail. The course also covers prearrangement considerations, including Oregon’s legal requirements for making final disposition designations. Finally, a field trip invites participants to explore some of the Rogue Valley’s natural burial options. 

NOTE: Signed liability waiver required to participate.

This class will provide an overview of the various choices in natural deathcare and why natural and conservation burials are the only sustainable solution based on scientific data. The class will discuss the public health and environmental concerns raised by cremation, alkaline hydrolysis, human composting and ocean/sky burials. Students will be encouraged to document their deathcare wishes and will be introduced to the Advance Natural Deathcare Directive, the four available regional choices and the four tasks of natural deathcare.

NOTE: This course is being offered in partnership with the Rogue Valley Manor. Seating will be shared equally with 20 seats for OLLI at SOU members and 20 for Manor residents.

This course is based on the AARP Smart Driver course, which has been shown to significantly reduce older drivers’ risk of collision. It will help you become more proficient in the current rules of the road, improve your defensive driving techniques and help you with safe vehicle operation in today’s demanding driving environment. The course will focus on the vital relationship between the driver, vehicle and road, and look at how factors such as aging, medications and alcohol can impact driving. You’ll also learn about the latest vehicle safety features and technological advancements. Importantly, you will learn how to identify when it’s no longer safe to drive and how to find alternative travel options. This course may qualify you for a multiyear discount on your auto insurance.

NOTE: A required materials fee of $20 to $25 (discount for AARP members) includes a comprehensive 120-page Participant Guide. Both days are required for course completion and insurance discount. The fee will be collected on the first day by cash or check made out to AARP. Credit cards will not be accepted. 

"I'm worried about running out of money.” “I need to get my finances organized.” “I want to make sure I’m making good financial decisions.” If you have made any of these statements recently, this class may help you feel more secure. We will cover the basics in each of the six main areas of financial planning including: financial position (preparing a net worth statement); insurance (including long-term care); taxes (how to minimize them); retirement planning (Social Security, taking withdrawals and how to know how long your money will last); investments (basics of asset allocation) and estate planning (wills, trusts, etc.). 

DISCLAIMER AND LIABILITY WAIVER: This course is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. By enrolling, you assume all investment risks and agree to hold Southern Oregon University and its representatives harmless from any financial losses, damages or claims. 

If you haven’t planned for care that 70% of us over age 65 will need, this course is for you. It explores the key decisions and conversations that arise as we age and as we provide support for aging loved ones. Learn about aging in place and community-based options, financial and legal considerations, downsizing kindly and having hard conversations. Experience engaging interactions, discussions, hear about real-life examples and get the practical tools needed for evaluating options and planning ahead. A field trip to a senior living community provides an opportunity to observe and apply what is learned in class. Guest speakers include a home care professional, an estate planning attorney, a downsizing specialist and others who will provide critical information and enlightening perspectives.

NOTE: Suggested reading prior to class: “Being Mortal” by Atul Gawande. We will be mining the lessons of “Being Mortal,” as it is so relatable to our course conversations. A signed liability waiver is required to participate.

If making modest changes to your home could prevent a life-altering fall, would you do it? Nearly 90% of older adults want to age in place, yet most houses aren’t built to support that. Falling is the primary reason people lose their independence. This two-part course bridges the gaps between your personal health, your preferences and your home’s design. Session 1 explores clinical and personal realities: how medications, vision changes and chronic conditions can increase fall risk. Session 2 focuses on the physical environment: identifying safety hazards and implementing a range of solutions. Co-taught by a certified aging life-care manager and a certified aging-in-place engineer, this class provides a practical road map to help you “stay vertical” and age in place safely.

What would you do if an emergency happened right now? Preparing for that emergency is vital. The bug-out bag has long since evolved from a backpack with water and granola bars to a comprehensive plan for caring for yourself and your family. This course is evolving with it. The goal of this course is twofold: to help you prepare to be self-sufficient until help arrives, even if that is weeks away, and to provide the knowledge and foundation to use your supplies successfully both during and after the emergency. We will look beyond prepping to topics such as situational awareness and conflict avoidance. This course specifically focuses on children and seniors. This is not a quick fix — it is a long-term undertaking that will require your time and planning. 

What would you do if an emergency happened right now? Preparing for that emergency is vital. The bug-out bag has long since evolved from a backpack with water and granola bars to a comprehensive plan for caring for yourself and your family. This course is evolving with it. The goal of this course is twofold: to help you prepare to be self-sufficient until help arrives, even if that is weeks away, and to provide the knowledge and foundation to use your supplies successfully both during and after the emergency. We will look beyond prepping to topics such as situational awareness and conflict avoidance. This course specifically focuses on children and seniors. This is not a quick fix — it is a long-term undertaking that will require your time and planning. 

This course will inform students on the basics of Medicare as well as specific and locally relevant current Medicare topics. Through lecture and interactive discussion, the instructor, a highly trained Medicare counselor, will provide valuable information to ensure that attendees and their loved ones are getting the most out of their Medicare coverage. Topics include Medicare Parts A and B, Medicare Advantage versus Medigap, the prescription drug plan (Part D), annual reevaluation of plans, tips for finding a provider, coverage limitations or exclusions, and local resources for assistance. The course will help prepare soon-to-be eligible or current beneficiaries for the Medicare open-enrollment period that begins every Oct. 15.