Drawing from recent research, this paper attempts to refute some of the commonly held assumptions about the inevitable decline of intellect as part of the aging process and point to ways educators can expand educational opportunities for older adults. After exploring some of the myths and stereotypes about senile, disoriented, helpless, rigid,…

Research shows that elderly persons have innate capacities for musical development and that those capacities are maintained with age. Successful, quality musical experiences can be created to meet the broad interests of the elderly. (RM)

The aged are generally identified by such criteria as chronological age, economic condition, physical appearance, psychological behavior, mental conditions, and social roles. While the present population of aged is characterized by lower educational and economic levels, it is anticipated that as the number of aged grows, the educational and…

Issues in balancing health services and costs in a changing society, where groups have differential access to health care, are discussed, including need for a universal health care system, growing cost of health care for the elderly, prolongation of life among older adults, and the claims of children on services. (MSE)

Considers the unique cognitive and intellectual factors that influence the learning and education of older adults. Reviews research on patterns of intellectual and cognitive aging and the implications of patterns in attention, memory, information retrieval, and tolerance for interference in the development of cognitive training programs for older…

Retirement communities such as Sun City, Arizona, are a significant geographical phenomenon in contemporary U.S. society. The reasons for the evolution of Sun City as a popular migration destination and the geographical implications of large-scale residential segregation among the elderly are discussed. (RM)

As the American population ages, adult educators with their knowledge and experience of adult education should be in the forefront of helping the nation define its goals and reshape its attitudes toward the aging. Existing exemplary models of educational programs represent a fragmented approach to a problem of national magnitude. The Adult…

Twelve priority areas for health education in the 1980s are identified, based on the magnitude and seriousness of the problems addressed; the solidity of the research base; and the likelihood that health education may facilitate improvement in the area. The twelve areas are: (1) cigarette smoking; (2) aging and the aged; (3) mental health; (4)…

A model of service learning that can serve as a vehicle for teaching, research, and community service is suggested to college faculty. Two such projects are described: a project providing parent education to young families while researching effectiveness of temperament education, and an intergenerational program to determine whether community…

Asserts that, if current demographic trends continue, 25% of Canada's population will be 65-years old or older by the year 2031. Discusses the impact of these trends on public spending, health care, and other public policies. Concludes that sound planning and judicious use of resources can help prevent any compromises. (CFR)

New perspectives need to be gained on the roles of older adults and older workers in the new millenium. Because today's adult is healthier, policies concerning social security, retirement, and work need to be changed. There is a need for acceptance of various types of aging. Rather than mandating specific retirement, the individual should have…

This paper discusses policy regarding learning in later life in the United Kingdom. The following are among the topics discussed in chapters 1-12: (1) the importance of lifelong learning; (2) the importance of learning to older people; (3) opportunities for lifelong learning in the United Kingdom; (4) the United Kingdom's aging population; (5)…