U3A (the University of the Third Age) in Australia: a Model For Successful Ageing

1993 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 245-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Swindell
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Postal Survey ◽  
Successful Ageing ◽  
Older Learners ◽  
Third Age ◽  
The Third ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The University

ABSTRACTEducation may have an important role to play in helping to enhance older people's quality of life. The University of the Third Age (U3A) has operated successfully in many countries for nearly two decades, yet few studies have described the characteristics of those who are attracted to the movement, or the benefits to the individual and, possibly, to wider society of the U3A approach to education. This study discusses major findings from 770 responses to a postal survey involving members from twelve independent U3A campuses in three Australian States, and compares these findings with data reported for older learners in other countries. Some implications for Australian U3As undertaking research activities which have the potential to benefit the wider ageing community are raised.

scholarly journals Changes in the quality of life of female participants from the University of the Third Age and their predictors

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 (3) ◽  
pp. 19-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Leś ◽  
Monika Guszkowska ◽  
Ewa Kozdroń ◽  
Joanna Piotrowska ◽  
Ewa Niedzielska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Third Age ◽  
The Third ◽  
The University

scholarly journals The quality of life profile among students of the University of the Third Age

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 49-59
Author(s):  
Ewa Kupcewicz ◽  
Malgorzata Kusmierczyk ◽  
Barbara Wilk ◽  
Agnieszka Zajaczkowska ◽  
Aleksandra Zakrzewska
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Third Age ◽  
The Third ◽  
The University

scholarly journals Evaluating the quality of life of elderly people who attend classes at the University of the Third Age

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
Anna Grzanka-Tykwińska ◽  
Małgorzata Chudzińska ◽  
Kornelia Kędziora-Kornatowska
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Third Age ◽  
The Third ◽  
The University

scholarly journals Changes in quality of life: the experience of elderly persons at a university of the third age

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rita de Cassia Cabral de Campos Martins ◽  
Sidnei José Casetto ◽  
Ricardo Luís Fernandes Guerra
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Third Age ◽  
The Third ◽  
The University

Abstract Objectives: The aim of the present qualitative and quantitative study was to investigate whether the participation of elderly persons in the University of the Third Age (U3A) of the Federal University of São Paulo, Baixada Santista (Unifesp/BS) led to a perceived improvement in quality of life; the meaning of the term quality of life for the participants; and whether education and social interaction are considered relevant in any such perceived improvement. Method: Data were collected through the SF-36 questionnaire and semi-structured interviews at the beginning and end of the academic year. Results: The quantitative data did not differ significantly between the beginning and end of the research period, except for the variable Vitality (V). The qualitative results, however, signaled a perception of change in terms of education, social interaction and quality of life. Conclusion: The data indicated that participation in the University of the Third Age at the Federal University of São Paulo, Baixada Santista (Unifesp/BS) was associated with a perception of positive changes in the quality of life of the elderly persons, who considered social interaction and education to be an important part of these improvements.

scholarly journals The Analysis of Nutritional Habits of the Third Age Students in Poznań

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-29
Author(s):  
Magdalena Pracka ◽  
Marcin Dziedziński ◽  
Przemysław Łukasz Kowalczewski
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
The Body ◽  
Nutritional Habits ◽  
Third Age ◽  
Waist To Hip Ratio ◽  
The Third

AbstractIn recent years have seen increasing percentage of the elderly in the overall population. This has driven the attention to the lifestyle factors that influence the health and quality of life of this social group, including their nutrition and physical activity. Universities of the Third Age (U3A) are a valuable platform for the dissemination and broadening of the knowledge related to these topics. The nutritional habits of 61 U3A students in Poznań were evaluated on the basis of a modified KomPAN questionnaire. Their nutritional status was determined using the body mass index (BMI) and waist to hip ratio (WHR) indices. Nearly half of the respondents were overweight and 16% had first degree obesity. The WHR index in women was on average 0.8, while in men it was 1.01. Only 13% of the students declared regular eating, with 60% consuming 4-5 meals a day. Women were found to eat snacks between meals more often than men. It was also found that the majority of the elderly do not add salt to ready meals or sweeten beverages with sugars. Taking into account the observed nutritional problems and the occurrence of improper eating habits of the elderly, it is recommended to continue the education on the prevention of common diet-related diseased.

Four decades of Universities of the Third Age: past, present, future

2012 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARVIN FORMOSA
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Liberal Arts ◽  
Liberal Arts Education ◽  
Older Learners ◽  
Third Age ◽  
Group Activities ◽  
The Third ◽  
Learning Instruction ◽  
Ethnic Biases

ABSTRACTThis paper discusses the origins and development of Universities of the Third Age (U3As) whilst also forwarding suggestions for possible roles, opportunities and directions in the future. The U3A has been rightly described as both an idea and movement, as each centre has a local foundation and relatively unique features. Whilst some U3As are attached to traditional universities and colleges, others are sturdily autonomous and wholly dependent on the efforts of volunteers. One also finds a variety of ethos, ranging from the provision of a traditional type of liberal-arts education, to the organisation of interest-group activities conducted through peer learning, to showing solidarity with vulnerable sectors of the older population. Academic commentaries on the U3A movement have been both supportive and critical. Whilst U3As have been lauded for leading older learners to improved levels of physical, cognitive, social and psychological wellbeing, other reports emphasise how many centres incorporate strong gender, social class, ageist and ethnic biases. One hopes that in future years the U3A movement will continue to be relevant to incoming cohorts of older adults by embracing a broader vision of learning, improving the quality of learning, instruction and curricula, as well as a wider participation agenda that caters for older adults experiencing physical and cognitive challenges.

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