Education and learning for active aging: promising practices and findings from the Age-It Research Program

Objectives: This study maps “promising practices” across a range of organizations that support older adults’ participation and learning to develop an evidence base for relevant policies and programs. It presents findings from the Learning, Education, and Active Aging Board of the Age-It Research Program. Methods: This mixed-methods study, following a sequential explanatory design, gathered quantitative data via a questionnaire, completed by public and private organizations active in offering programs/activities to older adults. The questionnaire collected information about the organization profile, the target population, and the educational activity. For qualitative data, semi-structured interviews were conducted with staff coordinators and managers. Results: Forty-three organizations, mostly Italian non-governmental organizations (NGOs), reported on 50 “promising practices” with a wide range of aims, consistent with the definition of lifelong and lifewide learning: social inclusion, health promotion, caregivers support, social work and volunteering, digital literacy, and intergenerational activities. Lack of coordination, low exchange between organizations, funding, and sustainability were the main weaknesses. From the analysis of qualitative data, three main topics emerged: prevention of frailty, empowerment through innovation, and participation. Discussion: This exploratory study outlines the richness of the mapped activities, as well as limited exchange and collaboration among the involved actors, the absence of a shared framework to assess the quality of practices addressed to older adults’ learning and participation, and the need for research and evaluation. Furthermore, national policies for active and healthy aging should allocate specific resources for learning and education to support older adults in terms of skills, social participation, meaning, and recognition.