The effect of GeroAtlas60+ Refresher University in preserving individual and community healthIsmail Tufan1, Sevnaz Sahin2, Melis Oktug Zengin3, Melike Tamer Kose4, Martin Palauf5, Eva Schulk5 1Department of Gerontology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey 2Departmen of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, Ege University, Antalya, Turkey 3Journalism Department, Faculty of Economic Admistrative ans Social Sciences, Nisantasi Universty, Istanbul, Turkey 4Akdeniz University Hospital, Antalya, Turkey 5UMIT – Private University For Health Sciences, Medical Informatics And Technology, Institute For Gerontology And Demographic Development
GeroAtlas60 + Refresher University is Turkey’s first university for older adults based on theoretical assumptions and concepts. The University was founded as a response from the field of gerontology to support modern society’s expectation for longer and healthier lives. If the quality of life is defined as older adults’ feeling good about themselves in old age or until the end of their lives despite their physical, psychological, and social problems, one of the first questions that arise is how to provide this quality of life. GeroAtlas60 + Refresher University is a gerontological approach to this objective using a ‘lifelong learning’ model. The two-dimensional theoretical and practical curriculum provides older adults with knowledge related to their needs and also helps both genders to acquire new skills and competencies such as participation in cooking and knitting courses by males and study of home improvement and Do-it-Yourself (DIY) home repair and maintenance courses by females. Activating older adults’ knowledge and skills in the mental, physical, and social realms offers the potential for enhancing the quality of life outcomes. Keywords: Learning, health, disease, aging, old age, older adults, rational action theory
Ismail Tufan, Sevnaz Sahin, Melis Oktug Zengin, Melike Tamer Kose, Martin Palauf, Eva Schulk. The effect of GeroAtlas60+ Refresher University in preserving individual and community health. Journal of Aging and Long-Term Care. 2018; 1(3): 109-113
Corresponding Author: Ismail Tufan, Türkiye |
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