Lifelong Learning and Well-Being: Lessons From the United States

• In Event: Learning of Aging Population in Technology-Rich Environments During the COVID-19 Era

Abstract

Globally, the older adult population burgeons, impacting various services (i.e., healthcare, recreation, leisure, among others) and providing new local and global opportunities. Before COVID-19, social isolation and loneliness were reported near epidemic proportions across many countries with particular prevalence among older adults in ‘more developed’ countries (Holt-Lunstad, 2017). The COVID-19 pandemic not only posed additional risks to older adults’ health, but also spurred potential exacerbations of loneliness and social isolation risks, negatively impacting well-being (Gaeta & Brydges, 2021; Talmage et al., 2020). This presentation summarizes U.S. older adults’ perceptions of individual and community well-being, specifically loneliness and social isolation before and during COVID-19.

Lifelong learning among older adults has been tied to individual and community well-being, including loneliness and social isolation (Balatti & Falk, 2002; Merriam & Key, 2014; Talmage et al., 2018). During COVID-19, lifelong learning programs rapidly pivoted their strategies (e.g., shifted to online) to provide valued services to older adult learners (Talmage et al., 2020). This presentation showcases lifelong learning’s transformative individual and community impacts for U.S. older adults, including bolstering well-being and reducing loneliness and social isolation risk factors before and during COVID-19.

Studies of lifelong learners have elucidated aspects of lifelong learning that older adults value most, specifically social and cognitive benefits (Talmage et al., 2018a; 2019). Many of these studies have focused on lifelong learners, especially those who already participate in university-based programs specific to older adults (Talmage et al., 2018b; 2019; 2020). This presentation will summarize and compare U.S. older adults who (in)frequently engage in lifelong learning regarding their perceptions of lifelong learning’s barriers and value(s) before and during COVID-19.

This presentation provides insights regarding promises of lifelong learning in enhancing well-being before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The presentation accomplishes the three italicized aims above through three storytelling, data-driven methods. First, the SurveyMonkey Audience® panel service was used in January 2021 (n = 1056 prior to COVID-19 vaccine availability) and May 2021 (n = 1017 after COVID-19 vaccines) to survey U.S. older adults’ lifelong learning behaviors, loneliness, and well-being. The data allows comparisons between frequent and infrequent lifelong learners. Second, a 2-year survey (pre- and during COVID-19) by the National Resource Center for Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes (Osher NRC) was used to explore behaviors and perceptions of current lifelong learners. Particular attention is paid to connections to meaningful social relationships and opportunities to engage online in lifelong learning and social connections. Finally, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Arizona State University (OLLI-ASU) is used as a case to describe shifts from in-person to online sessions via Zoom during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Both quantitative and qualitative data are utilized to showcase how lifelong learning bolsters well-being, derived from multi-year surveys of Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) learners by the Osher NRC. A working model is crafted that highlights the value of lifelong learning and its linkages to enhance well-being. Age and gender differences are discussed. Overall, the presentation provides insights and questions to improve lifelong learning research and institutional practices.

Authors

• Craig Talmage, Hobart & William Smith Colleges
  Presenting Author

• Richard Knopf
  Non-Presenting Author

• Jack Hansen
  Non-Presenting Author

• Kevin Connaughton
  Non-Presenting Author

• Stacey Rivera
  Non-Presenting Author

• Steven Thaxton
  Non-Presenting Author

• Virginia Miller
  Non-Presenting Author