ERIC Number: EJ1366592
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0360-1277
EISSN: EISSN-1521-0472
Active Aging of Older Adults in Rural Area after Participating in Senior Self-Directed Learning Groups
Chou, Chun-Yang; Chen, Chiao-Shan; Lee, Mei-Chen; Lin, Shun-Tzu; Sun, Juo-Hsiang
Educational Gerontology, v49 n2 p143-157 2023
This study aimed to understand the behaviors of older adults in rural areas at all stages of active aging after participating in senior self-directed learning groups. This study adopted a qualitative research method and conducted one-on-one semi-structured interviews with six members of a senior learning center in a rural area. The themes identified from the thematic analysis were categorized into three levels: health, safety, and participation. The health level included (1) understanding the importance of exercise and taking the initiative in leading simple group exercises to develop regular exercise habits and (2) paying greater attention to disease and diet control through knowledge sharing with group members.The safety level included (1) paying more attention to safe driving when volunteering with other members; and (2) resonating with fall prevention techniques and cultivating a safe home to prevent falls. The participation level included (1) having more common topics to share with family members to enhance relationships (2) changing conceptualizations of interpersonal relationships and actively expanding and managing a circle of friends; and (3) increasing willingness to actively participate in social activities compared to before participating in the group. The results of this study showed that after joining the senior self-directed learning groups, the older adults had a positive change in their cognition of active aging, recognized the importance of active aging, and then faced their aging process with a positive attitude.
Descriptors: Aging (Individuals), Older Adults, Exercise, Diseases, Health Behavior, Eating Habits, Safety, Motor Vehicles, Prevention, Accidents, Interpersonal Relationship, Family Relationship, Rural Areas, Adult Education, Independent Study, Positive Attitudes, Foreign Countries, Volunteers, Social Life
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Adult Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Taiwan
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A