VITALITY LIES IN LIFE LIFE LIES IN LEARNING: BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES OF OLDER ADULT LEARNING IN SINGAPORE

摘要

The National Silver Academy (NSA) was introduced by the Singapore government in 2016 to encourage lifelong learning among older adults. This paper presents findings from an ongoing longitudinal mixed-methods study exploring the impacts of older adult learning on learners’ health and psychosocial wellbeing. We conducted a longitudinal quantitative survey with a sample of 559 older adult learners enrolled in NSA and also in-depth life history interviews with 42 learners. Preliminary quantitative analyses show identity and social capital benefits. Qualitatively, participants express that learning has helped them cope better with life transitions, provides a sense of fulfilment and/or achievement as well as improve their interpersonal skills and encourage them to volunteer. Qualitative analyses on motivations to learn highlight gendered and class intersectional differences corresponding to people’s ageing perceptions and life history. Remaining active in later life depends on the cumulative advantages and disadvantages that individuals experience over their life course.