February 27, 2022

Associate Professor Leng Leng Thang (NUS Department of Japanese Studies), Emily Lim (PhD Student, University of Massachusetts, Boston), and Sophie Li-Shan Tan (University of Melbourne) explore the connections between ‘Lifelong learning’ and ‘Productive Aging’ among older adults in Singapore in ‘Lifelong learning and productive aging among the baby-boomers in Singapore’ (Social Science & Medicine, 2019).

Productive aging is introduced as an instrumental concept in shifting perceptions away from failing health and increased social burdens to one of remobilizing older citizens to remain productive members of society for many years to come.
The text broadly articulates three forms of lifelong learning that intersect with productive aging:
(1) formal, structured learning, within educational institutions that provide certification at the end;
(2) non-formal learning, taking place outside of institutions, that focuses on skill acquisition and improvement;
(3) informal, self-learning where older adults gain new skills and knowledge through experiential contact.

The survey data collected within the study comprised of semi-structured interviews with 64 older adults aged between 50 and 64, recruited along the ratio of 2:1:1 for ethnicity (Chinese: Malays: Indians) to reflect the ethnic composition of Singapore.
A/P Thang et al. interpreted the data to show the multi-faceted benefits of lifelong learning in enhancing productive aging.  For example, in terms of physical and mental health, the study showed that older adults were proactively trying to prevent cognitive decline and the onset of dementia in old age. And in terms of social and emotional well-being, lifelong learning provided opportunities to make new friends and expand social circles.

Earlier studies commissioned by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports indicated that actual participation among older adults in Singapore was quite low, with only 11.1% reported to have attended or likely to take up learning courses. This study reveals that this percentage will likely trend upwards as Singapore’s population ages.
Older adults in Singapore are increasingly finding it necessary to pursue lifelong learning in order to stay relevant in their jobs, as well as for non-economic reasons such as ‘building capacity for the benefit of the self, the family and the community’.

Read the full article here.