Aging & Society: Eighth Interdisciplinary Conference

Abstract

This ethnographic study explores how older adults in Canada and Brazil perceive education that has been designed specifically for them and how they understand it to be linked to healthy living and well-being. This study looks to learn more about and be better able to describe the overall impact of education in the lives of older adults, to better understand what older adults imagine the future potential impact of education is for them, including the concepts of healthy living and well-being, and to delineate recommendations for curriculum development, as well as broader institutional and policy-related strategies, in order to expand and develop the state of education for older adults with the focus on healthy living and well-being. Findings of this research study show the important role educational programs for older adults play in providing older adults with the opportunity to continue to participate actively in society, improving older adults’ overall health and well-being, as well combating ageism. Governments need to seriously consider how making education available to a wide range of older adults is a source of health promotion. Support for ongoing educational opportunities needs to be reflected in the location, price to attend, travel, and overall interest. Classes need to offer a range of topics and activities; valuable both for the diversity of gender, language, and cultural backgrounds in countries. Awareness of the importance of the health promotion aspect of educational programs for older adults needs to be highlighted in documents, curriculum, materials, and financial support.