ERIC Number: EJ1384325
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0360-1277
EISSN: EISSN-1521-0472
A Tool for Developing Guidelines for Institutional Policy: A 60 Indicator Inventory for Assessing the Age-Friendliness of a University
Lim, Jin Seop; Park, Myung-Bae; O'Kelly, Christine H.; Knopf, Richard C.; Talmage, Craig A.
Educational Gerontology, v49 n3 p214-227 2023
This study seeks to develop Age-Friendly University (AFU) implementation guidelines to enable universities to self-identify their age-friendliness levels and establish specific strategies toward becoming an AFU. The survey was completed by primary leads for 26 AFUs-recognized institutions globally. The questionnaires included an inventory of 68 possible attributes of an AFU. The respondents were asked to (a) report the status of their institution in terms of performance on the attributes and (b) state the relative desirability of each attribute as a potential guideline for assessing the performance of AFU attributes. For institution's performance, 'Social engagement and support' had the highest (3.32) age-friendliness level, followed by an 'Age-friendly environment' (3.31), 'Administrative support' (3.15), Lifelong learning' (3.11), and 'Reflecting the needs of older people' (2.83). Furthermore, the overall score was highest in Canada (3.82), followed by Europe (3.51), the USA (3.14), and Asia (2.67). Among attributes, 'There are elevators in major buildings (that older adults use frequently)' was the highest (4.40); followed by 'The campus and surrounding environment in our school are clean for older adults to use' (4.28). We also asked participants about "the adequacy of the AFU as a guideline. 'Members of our university's community are respectful and friendly toward older adults' was the highest (4.43)." However, in this study, 8 attributes scored less than 3 points for appropriateness. Consequently, we condensed the instrument to 60 attributes. This study is novel in proposing guidelines to implement strategies to apply and operationalize the somewhat abstract concept of age-friendliness of universities.
Descriptors: Universities, Institutional Characteristics, Educational Indicators, Guidelines, Intergenerational Programs, College Environment, School Community Relationship, Lifelong Learning, Adult Students, Older Adults, Foreign Countries, Program Evaluation
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: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; Adult Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada; United States; Asia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A