Thanks to an innovative partnership between Wheeler and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at UConn Waterbury, four Wheeler patients have taken classes designed to promote connection, enrichment, and well-being, with support made possible through donor funding.
The partnership grew from an idea developed by Kelsey Laudano, LCSW, senior integrated care clinician at Wheeler’s Family Health & Wellness Center on Lakewood Road, Waterbury, during her participation in Wheeler’s 2024 Leadership Development Program. The six-month mentoring and training program empowers staff to create new opportunities for patients and for the organization’s growth.
OLLI at UConn offers courses, lectures, and special events for adults age 50 and older who want to stay socially and intellectually engaged. Based at UConn’s Waterbury campus, the program creates opportunities for learning, discussion, and connection among peers, while also partnering with cultural, educational, and arts organizations across the community.
As part of her capstone project, Laudano explored ways Wheeler patients could benefit from OLLI coursework, with potential gains in social connection, cognitive and mental health, personal fulfillment, and overall quality of life.
"I believe it is essential to provide opportunities for individuals to connect with others and continue their lifelong learning journeys,” Laudano says. “This project was inspired by my late grandmother, whom I observed participating in programs similar to those offered by OLLI, where she experienced meaningful emotional and cognitive benefits. My goal was to support Wheeler patients in accessing similar opportunities for engagement, personal growth, and connection."
Working with Fiona de Merell, director of OLLI at UConn, Laudano helped create a pathway for patients to participate using private philanthropic support to Wheeler. That support covered course costs and supplies for patients, who enrolled in classes on topics such as poetry, Reiki, the fundamentals of drawing, and finding freedom through forgiveness.
“OLLI is all about learning together and staying connected,” says de Merell. “We’re grateful to work with Wheeler to create opportunities for their patients to learn, connect, and feel part of a community.”
Programs like OLLI can be especially valuable for older adults, offering affordable access to learning experiences that support curiosity, community engagement, and personal growth. One Wheeler patient said that the experience was a boost of self-confidence.
“It taught me that I can still learn,” they said. “I was afraid at first but after the classes went on, I grew more and more comfortable."
This spring, OLLI at UConn is offering classes in history, art, architecture, literature, gardening, current events, music, yoga, and more.
Support for Wheeler patients’ participation comes from the Wheeler Innovation Fund, which is fully supported by private giving and helps advance innovative approaches to care, service delivery, and organizational growth. The fund was established a decade ago through a major gift from Peter and Mary Fran Libassi, whose longtime support of Wheeler reflected a deep commitment to innovation, community impact, and access to care.