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Lifelong Learning In Older Adults

Updated: Apr 17


Singapore has a rapidly ageing population, comprising almost one-fifth of elderly individuals aged 65 years and older. The current demographic shifts underscore the importance of supporting the elderly through education and skills training to help them remain up-to-date with the latest advancements and innovations. According to the WHO, learning is one of the five functional abilities crucial to healthy and fulflling aging.  Despite this, a 2017 survey (THE SIGNS study-I)  found that only 13.2% of elderly Singaporeans participated in learning activities within the last 12 months. 


Which leads us to the question: Why is it difficult for older adults to learn?


  • Loss of motivation 

A study by MIT suggests that this is because of a loss of motivation to learn, which may stem from the notion that learning becomes tougher with age. This belief may deter elderly individuals from engaging with educational training out of fear of failing to grasp the content. Furthermore, they may feel that the costs of pursuing learning opportunities outweigh the benefits derived from them. 


  • Issues with mobility 

Old age can often be accompanied by a barrage of physical limitations. Physiological ailments can include walking difficulties due to aches and weakened muscles or disabilities that require the use of personal mobility aids like wheelchairs. These problems can make travelling to educational institutes highly inconvenient. In addition, traditional classroom learning styles fail to cater to individuals with sensory impairments, including visual or hearing impairments. Other illnesses and medical conditions can also make available learning opportunities burdensome to take advantage of. 


  • Cognitive decline and attention span 

With age, neurons and receptors in our brains tend to break down, and people may experience a cognitive decline, which can impact their learning, memory, and problem-solving abilities. Attention spans may drop, and it may take more time to process information. However, the same Harvard article shares that while compensating for the reduction in focus may be challenging and require extra effort, the minds of seniors still harness the power to make judgments and arguments. 


While these factors are impediments to lifelong education, recent technological advancements can ameliorate the process by enhancing the accessibility and flexibility of educational platforms. Adopting new technology among the elderly can promote greater independence while extending a bridge to connect the older generation with youth.  Moreover, it enables them to easily access valuable information.


Technology can aid in a range of aspects, including transportation, health, communication, and entertainment. From apps that monitor health parameters to virtual assistants and online courses, technology harbours an  immense potential for supporting the elderly. However, many elderly people find themselves unwilling to embrace the daunting new technological appliances, which often come with a hefty price tag.


Based on a study by Moxley et al., several factors influence the reluctance to adopt technology, which include their perceived value of the technology and how it can improve their quality of life, as well as their confidence in their ability to properly operate the technology.

Hence, demonstrating the usefulness of technological appliances and encouraging the elderly to employ them in their daily lives can not only reduce feelings of social isolation and boredom, but it can also greatly improve their lifelong learning prospects and help them adapt to our digital age. 


 Why is lifelong learning important for the elderly in the first place? 

 Well, continued learning can preserve psychological well-being by generating feelings of self-efficacy and fulfilment and building resilience against stressors. Learning can also dampen cognitive decline by strengthening our cognitive reserve, which refers to our thinking skills and has also shown shocking improvements in memory and attention. Unfortunately, most elderly people do not benefit from this because of the numerous obstacles that stand in their way.

 

How are we doing our part to promote learning for the elderly? 

Through the provision of subsidies and fee waivers for courses, and by conducting them in collaborative environments and in convenient locations that cater to individuals with mobility issues, learning is made more exciting, inclusive, and accessible to seniors in Singapore. As individuals, we can also champion our seniors to embark on their learning journey by encouraging them with positive affirmations and patience to nurture their curiosity and passion for learning. 

 

Adequate technical skills and digital capacity are crucial for the elderly to explore to improve their quality of life, thus, enrichment and training programs tailored toward seniors’ digital literacy offer great value and significance by enabling the elderly to take on new, imperative skills. While several such programs already exist, the youth can continue to empower seniors through projects that foster intergenerational connections and instigate a drive for education to be cognizant of current affairs. Through feedback and amendments, we can adapt these programs to ensure that we continue to cater to their needs and expectations. 


Lifelong learning is not only a critical investment toward long-term health and well-being but also a tool to create a more inclusive and vibrant society for our seniors!


Written by: Sangeetha


References

Goh, V., Maulod, A., Malhotra, R., Council for Third Age, & CARE. (2021). The Pursuit of Learning among Older Singaporeans. In Research Brief Series (Vol. 9). https://www.duke-nus.edu.sg/docs/librariesprovider3/publications-docs/the-pursuit-of-learning-among-older-singaporeans.pdf?sfvrsn=24a70113_0


Goh, V. (2019, November 1). Getting more Singaporean seniors to learn. TODAY. https://www.todayonline.com/commentary/getting-more-elderly-singaporeans-learn



Moxley, J., Sharit, J., & Czaja, S. J. (2022). The factors Influencing older adults’ decisions surrounding adoption of Technology: Quantitative Experimental study. JMIR Aging, 5(4), e39890. https://doi.org/10.2196/39890



Narushima, M., Liu, J., & Diestelkamp, N. (2016). Lifelong learning in active ageing discourse: its conserving effect on wellbeing, health and vulnerability. Ageing & Society, 38(4), 651–675. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0144686x16001136 


Pardue-Spears, C. (2022, April 6). 4 Benefits of lifelong learning for seniors & older adults. Family Matters. https://familymattershc.com/benefits-of-lifelong-learning-for-seniors/ 


Rantakokko, M., Mänty, M., & Rantanen, T. (2013). Mobility decline in old age. Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, 41(1), 19–25. https://doi.org/10.1097/jes.0b013e3182556f1e 


Schoultz, M., Öhman, J., & Quennerstedt, M. (2020). A review of research on the relationship between learning and health for older adults. International Journal of Lifelong Education, 39(5–6), 528–544. https://doi.org/10.1080/02601370.2020.1819905 


Seangpraw, K., Auttama, N., Kumar, R., Somrongthong, R., Tonchoy, P., & Panta, P. (2020). Stress and associated risk factors among the elderly: a cross-sectional study from rural area of Thailand. F1000Research, 8, 655. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.17903.2 


Trafton, A. T. (2020, October 27). Study helps explain why motivation to learn declines with age. MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Retrieved March 18, 2024, from https://news.mit.edu/2020/why-learn-motivate-age-decline-1027



Wu, R., & Church, J. A. (2024, February 20). To stay sharp as you age, learn new skills. Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/to-stay-sharp-as-you-age-learn-new-skills/ 


Yu-Qin, Z., Zhang, T., Dasgupta, R. K., & Xia, R. (2022). Narrowing the age‐based digital divide: Developing digital capability through social activities. Information Systems Journal, 33(2), 268–298. https://doi.org/10.1111/isj.12400


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