Evaluating the impact of lifelong education on older adults: A case study from Hong Kong

In light of its low fertility rate and long life span, Hong Kong is facing the challenge of a rapidly ageing population. To foster successful ageing, learning throughout life regardless of age is promoted as lifelong learning. A total of 20 older adults who are studying the Diploma in Active Ageing...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of adult and continuing education Vol. 29; no. 2; pp. 643 - 658
Main Authors Law, Vincent TS, Yee, Hilary HL, Ng, Tommy KC, Fong, Ben YF
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published London, England SAGE Publications 01.11.2023
Subjects
Adult Students
Aging (Individuals)
Foreign Countries
Informal Education
Learning Experience
Lifelong Learning
Mental Health
Older Adults
Physical Health
Social Behavior
Hong Kong
older adults
social health
physical health
Lifelong education
psychological health
ageing population
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Summary:In light of its low fertility rate and long life span, Hong Kong is facing the challenge of a rapidly ageing population. To foster successful ageing, learning throughout life regardless of age is promoted as lifelong learning. A total of 20 older adults who are studying the Diploma in Active Ageing at the School of Professional Education and Executive Development of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University participated in a questionnaire survey while 16 older adult students participated in individual in-depth interviews in the present study. The results show that those who have received both informal and formal learning opportunities experienced positive changes to their physical, psychological and social health. The participants reported that the current lifelong learning policy provides insufficient financial support and insufficient promotion of formal education for older adults. For older adults to pursue further education, there is a need to provide more generous subsidies and relax age eligibility restrictions. To sustain lifelong learning, both informal and formal education for older adults should be promoted equally in order to meet the diverse interests and ability of older learners.
ISSN:1477-9714
1479-7194
DOI:10.1177/14779714231156747