As the number of older adults in the United States increases, more must be understood about their reading behaviors so that adequate services might be provided for them. In addition, carefully documented reading behaviors might yield valuable clues to the early establishment of lifelong reading habits. With these goals in view, a study…

A study examined the reading behavior of 101 older adults enrolled in a summer "elderhostel" program offered by a small eastern college. Each subject responded to a questionnaire concerning reading habits, interests, attitudes, and motivations. Results showed that the older adults had a wide range of reading interests, including mysteries,…

This collection of speeches and essays concerns various viewpoints on the subject of adult education research. The first paper, Lifelong Learning: Problems in Research (Apps), examines the viewpoint that the majority of research as now practiced is not consistent with the major assumptions in the field of adult education. The next essay,…

Aging is treated separately or in relation to continuing educational opportunities in each of the 35 documents annotated. The annotations vary from 75 to 350 words in length. Authors, catalog numbers (when available), publishers, paging, and prices (when available) are also given. (WL)

Schools should prepare for the time when one-sixth of all Americans will be 65 or older by finding ways for the generations to learn from one another. (Author)

The chairman of the Select Committee on Aging, U.S. House of Representatives, discusses present and pending federal legislation concerned with the elderly, particularly funds for senior citizen centers, home health care, education, and part-time employment. (MF)

Describes the creation of SeniorSage, an eight week facilitated online learning community for older adult volunteers in a Florida learning center. Discusses how members were prepared to participate in the community, explains the instructional design theory that guided the development of SeniorSage, and recommends future research. (Author/LRW)

Using an emancipatory education model, 9 older women (65-85) were trained as research associates to conduct needs assessments of their peers. Posttest and focus group results support the effect of learning on seniors' mental, physical, and social health; increased self-esteem; and ability to express ideas and be heard. (SK)

Describes a study of longevity and older adults' economic and educational status in Nigeria, based on interviews with 332 adults over 64 years old. Determinants of longevity include faith in God, heredity, modest living, and contentment. Finds illiteracy linked to poverty, and most interviewees ill-prepared for postretirement life. (DMM)

A radio journalist uses examples from her "Late Bloomers" program as illustrations of creativity, self-esteem, and self-fulfillment in later life. (SK)

Describes a research-based self-care health education program for recently widowed people. Program aims to provide a foundation of knowledge, motivation, and encouragement to initiate positive behavioral changes, and to establish a support network. Preliminary analysis suggests the program is achieving many of the intended outcomes. (Author/JDM)

Survey responses from 298 adults over 50 indicated that they were interested in instrumental learning focused on maintaining personal resources and capacity in order to engage with local, national, and global concerns. A more accurate picture of motivation arises from asking what adults want to do that is personally meaningful, instead of what do…

Examination of British government rhetoric about lifelong learning and access indicates they are actually promoting education as an economic policy. This is evident in the exclusion of older adults. Genuine lifelong learning should be a philosophy and practice that embraces a wide range of learning, enhancing quality of life. (Contains 32…

Increasingly evident is the important role of partners in patients' adaptation to diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Yet, little is known about partners' adaptation when patients reach the benchmark known as long-term survival. This study describes elderly wives of prostate cancer survivors' perspectives of adaptation to the enduring challenges…

As the population of older adults increases, the field of adult education needs to respond accordingly. The study reported in this paper examined motivations for learning among older adults actively engaged in formal lifelong learning. One hundred eighty-nine members of a Learning in Retirement institute were surveyed using Boshier's Education…