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People who are involved in older adult learning programs know that continuing education has a positive impact on overall health and well-being in later life.

While some people may think that health relates to physical activity, others know it is equally true when it comes to maintaining your mind or cognitive function. Recent research suggests that if the mind continues to be stimulated and challenged it will continue to grow and develop throughout life.

The World Health Organization publication Active Ageing: A Policy Framework states that "Education in early life combined with opportunities for lifelong learning can give older people the cognitive skills and confidence they need to adapt and stay independent."

Lifelong learning means learning throughout life - a journey of self-discovery that can take many forms. According to the Canadian Commission for UNESCO. it can involve equipping yourself with the means to participate in a swiftly changing world, developing and improving your skills, keeping abreast of scientific and technological discoveries and learning how to use them. It can also involve understanding your past and its influence on the present and future, discovering the wealth of other cultures, coming to terms with problems in everyday life, or simply exploring personal interests.

According to Older & Bolder, a United Kingdom-based organization, investing in more and better learning opportunities for older people might reduce health and social welfare costs now and in the future by encouraging the retention of independence longer.

Older adults have many reasons to learn. Many simply want to keep mentally active. Others want to study subjects they find interesting, to continue their personal development, to make up for opportunities that they missed when they were young, or to learn for the pleasure of learning.

Adults who continue to stimulate their minds through lifelong learning programs report many benefits including:

• increased quality of life
• enhanced self esteem
• feeling more control over their environment
• better ability to maintain independence
• greater sense of overall well-being
• reduced social isolation

Statistics indicate that seniors are the fastest growing segment of computer and internet users in Canada. Sometimes their motivation to learn how to use the 'information highway' is so that they can 'talk to their grandchildren' or communicate with family and friends. Others want to use the internet for research and to explore topics of interest.

Memory games on the computer can help to reduce the loss of some cognitive abilities such as attention, memory, or language skills. People who suffer from arthritis, Parkinson's or other conditions that reduce mobility often find it easier to write using a computer than with pen and paper.

Some older adult learning programs provide opportunities for seniors to improve their reading and writing skills. Since 53% of Canadians age 65 and over were reported to be lacking the necessary reading and writing skills to manage today's literacy demands according to the International Adult Literacy Survey, this is a crucial program area. There are also many seniors who need to relearn literacy skills each year as a result of strokes or other medical conditions.

The greatest risk to seniors with low literacy skills is making mistakes with medication. "At Risk: A Socio-Economic Analysis of Health and Literacy Amongst Seniors" estimates that up to 50% of seniors do not take medications as prescribed. The inability to read or understand instructions may be the cause of this problem, not lack of compliance, which is often assumed to be the case.

Medication Matters is a Health Canada publication that provides advice for caregivers and others who want to help seniors use medications safely.

Volunteering can provide a sense of purpose in life, thereby contributing to a healthy retirement. Through volunteer involvement, older adults continue to stimulate their minds, learn new skills and more.

Active older adults contribute their energy and knowledge to numerous organizations across the country. They form the supportive backbone of such organizations- volunteering on boards and committees, and by doing so, making an essential contribution to their communities. Older volunteers are also engaged in a wide range of volunteer activities like delivering 'Meals on Wheels' or running seniors centres and programs across Canada. They are also making valuable contributions through hospitals, museums, art galleries and other community facilities. Some older adults volunteer at schools, daycares or other programs for youth.

Intergenerational learning programs in which older adults interact with children and youth provide benefits to both the adults and young people involved. Benefits include overcoming "ageist" stereotypes and developing an appreciation of what it means to grow old. Young people can learn about historical and social issues, and lasting intergenerational friendships can be developed.

In Canada, enrolment in older adult learning organizations is increasing. CATALIST: The Canadian Network for Third Age Learning recently conducted a poll of its members and estimates that the CATALIST Network represents more than 60,000 older adults actively involved in lifelong learning programs. Another study estimated that in 2001 there were over 100,000 older adults enrolled in programs organized by at least 100 organizations across Canada to provide learning opportunities for older adults. Given that there are many seniors organizations that do not regard their programs as educational, there are many more lifelong learners who are not included in these figures.

The National Advisory Council on Aging position paper on lifelong learning clearly concluded that, "Education is a key to individual quality of life and to social integration for Canadians of all ages." So why not find out what kinds of older adult learning programs are available in your area and encourage seniors to take advantage of these opportunities to stimulate their minds and enhance their overall well-being?

The list of possibilities is endless…older adults can learn to:

• look up old friends on the Internet
• understand modern art
• perform or appreciate fine music
• maintain flexibility through exercise, Tai Chi or yoga
• get fit with belly dancing
• and much more…

References

1. National Advisory Council on Aging Position Paper No. 10 on Lifelong Learning
   Ottawa: Queen's printer, October 1990