Research on the Healthy Lifestyle Model, Active Ageing, and Loneliness of Senior Learners

Abstract

Taiwan has the fastest ageing population in the world. Thus, the government and local policy makers need to formulate policies not just for the nursing and care needs of the aged. They also need to actively promote the need for lifelong learning among seniors in order to achieve elderly-friendly objectives, such as health promotion and delays in ageing, through self-learning and participation in diversified activities. With the aim of promoting an ageing society that is friendly to the aged and encourages harmonious learning among them, this study focused on aged individuals who participated in the University for the Aged program conducted by Taiwan's Ministry of Education from 2010 to 2012. Analysis was conducted on how a high-quality, healthy lifestyle can impact the effectiveness of active ageing programs and alleviate loneliness in aged individuals by allowing them to participate in learning activities designed especially for them. The results indicated that most senior learners are female, have high school educations, and perceive themselves to be healthy. Senior learners express positive perceptions in terms of their overall quality of life evaluations and levels of satisfaction with overall health, a finding that echoes the characteristics those participants of the Ministry of Education's University for the Aged should have. However, the findings also showed a gender imbalance amongst seniors who participate in learning or social activities.