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Area approximately same as continental USA Population 19 million

Area approximately same as continental USA Population 19 million. U3A Membership in Australasia. Australia 2001 43,000+ members belong to 154 groups. NZ - 2001 5800 members; 44 groups. Why bother?. Percentage of Australians aged 65+ years. Median age. Per cent. 1: Population ageing.

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Area approximately same as continental USA Population 19 million

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  1. Area approximately same as continental USA • Population 19 million

  2. U3A Membership in Australasia • Australia 2001 • 43,000+ members belong to 154 groups NZ - 2001 5800 members; 44 groups

  3. Why bother?

  4. Percentage of Australians aged 65+ years Median age Per cent 1: Population ageing

  5. 2: Possible links between intellectual challenge and good health • Coffey (1999): MRI study of 320 volunteers aged 66-90. Education may have protective effect from age-related mental impairment • Young (1999): Enriched environment stimulated new brain cell growth in rats (Many similar studies - all mammals?) • Dench (2000): Those in poor health reported learning improved enjoyment of life, self confidence and ability to cope • Soulsby (2000): Very wide acceptance among caregivers that learning lessens dependency and improves sense of well-being

  6. Trends in older Australians’ health Age 65+ • total health expenditure for 65+ will increase from 34% (1990) to 52% by 2050 Functional independence and q.o.l are main criteria for health • 56% report disability (ABS 1993) (arthritis, circulatory disease, hearing loss) • Most older people even those 75+ rate their health as good or excellent

  7. 3: Social networks - essential to good health Social isolation reported to be as great a risk to health as smoking In later life, social networks threatened by: • Retirement • Relocation • Divorce • Death of a loved one • Illness • Incapacity • Poor transport • Giving up driving

  8. Average adult spends about 3 hours alone each day Man aged over 65, living alone, spends 12 hours a day alone (83% of waking life) Woman aged over 65, living alone spends 78% of waking life alone Social isolation reported to be as great a risk to health as smoking.

  9. Why bother? Why bother? Why bother? • may be good for your health • global population ageing • new social networks (onus on older people to fund their own retirement)

  10. Using the Internet to cognitively challenge isolated older people • What does a U3A Online course look like? • Participant characteristics

  11. The U3A Online Resources home page http://u3aonline.edna.edu.au/

  12. Participants list details about themselves here Isolated older people can discuss the course with their leader and each other

  13. This is a 9-week course. Most courses run for 8 weeks

  14. Continents in motion Genealogy Botany for knowledge and pleasure Ageing and retirement Comparative religions Available courses (equivalent to 8 weeks part time study)

  15. The Romans Astronomy Design in your life • Jean Thompson: UK The frozen continent Autobiography & Journalling Available courses (equivalent to 8 weeks part time study)

  16. Writing family history Creative writing of fiction History of World War II Basic computer skills Course offered by UK colleagues Art History • Audrey Loraine - UK On the drawing board

  17. Course Membership Options • Option A: Independent study. Access to all courseware 365 days/year • Option B: Group study, no course leader. Interaction by electronic Forum/email • Option C: Interactive with leader. Limited to isolated ageing and U3A members

  18. 2) 1998/99 IYOP funding • assist U3As to develop Internet skills • deliver challenging activities for isolated o/p 3) U3A Online How did the project begin? 1) 1996: email discussion - virtual U3A for isolated o/p?

  19. Participant characteristics Age %

  20. Gender %

  21. Highest formal education 18%: Minimal formal schooling 53%: University or equivalent 29%: Completed High School

  22. Former occupations 3%: Unskilled 7%: Homemaker 23%: Blue collar 68%: White collar

  23. Homestead far from town Homestead near town Population less than 2000 Population over 20,000 Population 2,000-20,000 Population centres

  24. Perceived isolation problems

  25. Comments from isolated participants I am partially blind with limited short sight. I am extremely grateful to U3AOnline as I now have an interest at home - am happy working on my own and life has again a meaning. I live in a large city. Because I never know how I’m going to feel from day to day my health stops me from committing to a set routine like going to class. I care for my wife who has Alzheimers. Have done so for the past 8 years. Many thanks for my being able to enjoy what has turned out to be the most pleasurable weeks of my life I feel as though I belong to something to keep my mind off my pain, also helps keep my brain working.

  26. Summary • Older people will be asked to do more to help themselves • U3A can help older people in practical ways and assist in promoting well-being and possibly good health • The Internet appears to be an effective medium for allowing U3As to share resources, communicate, and increase their range of cognitively challenging activities • Isolated older people are everywhere in the community. With programs like U3A Online they can enjoy some of the benefits of belonging to a conventional U3A

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