WESTWOOD, N.J.—For Cynthia Affinito, a lifelong educator and Westwood resident, history isn’t just about facts and timelines—it’s also about connection. That belief is at the heart of Historical Speakers for Seniors, the growing educational initiative she founded to bring engaging, story-rich historical programming to older adults.
Affinito has spent more than 30 years teaching world history. Now, she’s bringing that passion beyond the classroom with Historical Speakers for Seniors, an educational initiative designed to engage older adults through the power of history, storytelling, and conversation.
The project’s blog regularly shares research and ideas that support its mission, including studies linking adult education with reduced dementia risk, and real-life stories of seniors finding renewed purpose through learning.
“I wanted to create something that respects seniors as thinkers,” Affinito says in program materials. “Our programs are created specifically for older adults who crave intellectual engagement and conversation.”
Launched in 2023, Historical Speakers for Seniors delivers live and virtual presentations to independent living, assisted living, and memory care communities. The goal isn’t just to entertain, but to support cognitive vitality, spark memory, and foster connection—key ingredients in healthy aging.
The programs are story-rich and informal, with more than 50 topics to choose from. Talks include The Mongol Empire: Harbingers of Modernity, Baseball and WWII, The History of the Middle East, Juneteenth, and Women Who Changed the World. Sessions run 45–60 minutes and can be booked individually or as part of an ongoing series.
Affinito’s husband, Damon Affinito, also presents. A U.S. history teacher with three decades of experience, he specializes in American subjects such as Vietnam, The Constitution, and The History of Rock and Roll. He’s developing new talks around the United States Semiquincentennial.
The Affinitos have also curated modular programs—yearlong calendars with pre-selected monthly topics—making it easier for senior living coordinators to provide regular, meaningful enrichment. Each module is flexible and customizable. One might begin with Classical Greek Art and Mythology and end with Contemporary African History, while another follows themes of empire, exploration, or cultural resilience.
Pricing is by the hour. “Communities have booked us for the entire year, with some of them having us come twice a month because of the demand for edutainment. We have also booked for just one session in some places, which have usually turned into monthly visits,” Affinito tells us.
The response has been strong. At BrightView Senior Living in Paramus, a resident reportedly sought out staff just to say how much she enjoyed a talk. Thrive at Montvale shared public thanks after multiple sessions, saying their residents “loved it” and described the content as both “wonderful” and “amazing.” One reviewer, Lewis S., called the Baseball and WWII presentation “outstanding” and urged other communities to book it.
The Affinitos say many participants report the talks trigger memories, spark conversation, and even encourage residents to share personal stories—making each session feel not just educational, but meaningful.
And while the program was born in the Pascack Valley, its reach has grown. With Zoom presentations available nationwide, Historical Speakers for Seniors is connecting with communities from coast to coast. A new series of in-person “edutainment” events, hosted in coffeehouses and taverns, is also underway—bringing the same smart, accessible history to the public in casual, social settings.
What makes it all work, Affinito says, is respect—for the material, and for the audience. “We believe in treating seniors as lifelong learners,” she writes. “Our talks are a way to keep people thinking, remembering, and sharing.”
To learn more or schedule a presentation, visit historicalspeakersforseniors.com or follow @historicalspeakersforseniors on Instagram and Facebook.