Older adults' active involvement in an undergraduate program in gerontology: Motives and meaning. Issue 4 (2nd October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sliepenbeek, Marjan; Smits, Carolien; Spelt, Elisabeth JH; Jukema, Jan S
• Is Part Of: Gerontology & geriatrics education. Volume 42:Issue 4(2021)
• Page Start: 516
• Page End: 527
• Publication Date: 2021-10-02
• Subjects: Gerontological competences -- older adults -- volunteers -- cocreation -- undergraduate education; Geriatrics -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; 362.6
• DOI: 10.1080/02701960.2019.1669588
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0270-1960

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Two Dutch undergraduate programs in applied gerontology have teamed up with older volunteers to educate students in collaborating with older adults in the field of age-friendly service development. The research question of this study was: What are the motives and meanings of the older volunteers concerning their participation in an undergraduate program? An explorative descriptive qualitative design was used to study the motives and meanings of the older volunteers through semi-structured interviews (n = 11) and a focus group interview (n = 4). Two themes and nine categories emerged: (1) Personal norms and values (categories: responsible life attitude, contribution, self-determination), (2) Personal gain (categories: intergenerational education, personal development, staying healthy, pleasure, feeling appreciated, feeling connected). Personal norms and values and personal gains are meaningful to older volunteers in applied gerontology education. Universities should respect these when designing measures for improving participation methods.