The Skillbuilders series is for anyone who has lost a loved one, is transitioning to being single or is adjusting to illness or other lifestyle changes. There are 10 sessions, one each week starting on Sept. 17, that cover everything from exercise to cooking to estate planning.

Life has a way of throwing curveballs.

Changes in life can especially difficult for seniors, who may be adjusting to an entirely new way of navigating life alone after many years with someone by their side.

The Skillbuilders program series aims to ease that transition.

The series is for anyone who has lost a loved one, is transitioning to being single or is adjusting to illness or other lifestyle changes. There are 10 sessions, one each week starting on Sept. 17, that cover everything from car care to financial planning.

During that time of change, “the whole world kind of takes a spin, and you aren’t sure where your feet are,” said Pattie Johnston, outreach coordinator for the Lawrence Public Library.

Anyone interested in attending a session can attend all of the programs or only those topics that are of interest. No registration is required, and all programs are free.

Transportation is available by calling the Douglas County Senior Services at 865-6925.

Skillbuilders meets from 10 to 11:30 a.m. each Thursday from Sept. 17 through Nov. 19 at the Smith Center at Brandon Woods at Alvamar, 4730 Brandon Woods Terrace.

Johnston said the sessions typically have 10 to 12 attendees, but “cooking brings in more, because they get to eat,” she joked.

The program started in the Kansas City area through a grief support network, and Visiting Nurses brought it to Lawrence, Johnston said. However, it is not intended as a support group as it is currently structured. She said that one of the biggest strengths of Skillbuilders is the experiences and solutions to questions that the attendees share, which is supportive in its own way.

“Some talk freely and others are more quiet, but a camaraderie develops as the series continues,” she said.

Aleta Hirschberg, of Lawrence, started going even before her husband’s death three years ago.

“I read the schedule and some of the things really piqued my interest,” Hirschberg said. “Even though you think you know something, you really don’t. You learn something from every class.”

Hirschberg said she appreciated the openness and interactivity of the classes, which encourage inquiry and sharing.

“You’re allowed to ask questions, and that’s a good thing, because we are all different in needs,” she said.

Eda Thomason, of Lawrence, has attended several sessions and especially liked the programs about taking care of her car and home.

“You find out about things that help the elderly,” Thomason said. “It gets you more acquainted with Parks and Rec and what they’re doing with the older generation and the senior center. That really helps.”

Johnston reiterated that while the programs are at Brandon Woods, they are not specifically for seniors. While the session time is chosen knowing it is appealing to seniors with more flexible schedules, anyone going through changes in life is welcome to attend.

“Those who have had a loss of any kind find a sense of support when they are with others who are also making transitions,” she said. “It is a very safe group.”