Older Adults’ Participation in Education and Successful Aging: Implications for University Continuing Education in Canada

Abstract

Representatives from Manitoba seniors’ organizations and the University of Manitoba collaborated on a proposal to examine the participation of older adults in learning activities. The initiative led to a series of studies on this theme, including an exploration of participation at a seniors’ centre (Sloane-Seale & Kops, 2004), a comparison of participants and non-participants at three selected urban seniors’ centres (Sloane-Seale & Kops, 2007), and an analysis of participation at several urban and rural seniors’ centres, as well as participants’ perceptions of the characteristics of successful aging (Sloane-Seale & Kops, 2008). Building on these previous studies, the study described in this article examined the participation of older adults in Manitoba and how it links to successful aging. Key statistics relating to older adults’ participation, types of educational activities, learning in later life, and characteristics of successful aging were collected. The results suggest that such participation leads to a more inclusive and comprehensive understanding of successful aging; that educational activities positively influence mental and physical activity, which in turn result in more positive health and well- being; and that spirituality and life planning, including a positive sense of self, a focus on personal renewal and growth, a connection to the broader community, and setting life goals, contribute to successful aging. In light of Canada’s aging population, these findings have implications for educational gerontology, lifelong learning, and continuing education practice and research.

An investigation of the relationship between ageing in place and successful ageing in elderly individuals

“…Successful ageing describes a positive ageing process in essence. This concept includes adapting to the ageing process in a determined way and using ageing‐related strategies in the most effective way . The common themes in the research about ageing are issues such as physical and mental health, psychological health, length of life, social sufficiency and productivity, cognitive sufficiency, individual control, and life satisfaction .…”

Effect of a Positive Photo Appreciation Program on Depressive Mood in Older Adults: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Studies have shown that the PPT or other types of positive psychology programs could provoke more significant improvements when they combined multiple components, such as positive emotion, engagement, and meaning, rather than using a single component [ 8 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. We chose photography as a tool for the program because it is one of the popular learning activities or hobbies among older adults [ 22 , 23 , 24 ]. We considered photography (i.e., capturing photos, viewing pictures, conversations related to photos, etc.)…”

Université du troisième âge : les besoins en formation continue des personnes âgées francophones au Nouveau-Brunswick

“…L’intérêt manifesté par les personnes âgées à l’égard des nouvelles technologies et de la santé n’est pas nouveau (Purdie & Boulton-Lewis, 2003; Sloane-Seale & Kops, 2010). En revanche, les personnes plus avancées en âge et à faible revenu disent s’intéresser davantage aux nouvelles technologies.…”

“…Cette étude appelle aussi l’attention sur des barrières possibles à l’apprentissage, à savoir, notamment des difficultés de mobilité, des maladies, des problèmes d’ouïe ou d’acuité visuelle, sans oublier des problèmes de mémoire et de concentration. Sept ans plus tard, Sloane-Seale et Kops (2010), dans leur étude quantitative réalisée au Manitoba, ont examiné la question des besoins en formation dans le secteur des loisirs (réparation, voyage), de la santé, de la religion, des technologies, des arts et des langues. Les barrières signalées sont, pour les répondants âgés, le manque de temps, les programmes trop dispendieux, le manque d’information et le manque de motivation.…”