Older adults with disabilities require a number of educational programs. Day programs enable caregivers the time for work, while caring for a relative with learning disabilities. College classes or job training programs provide old adults with marketable skills to help them in a changing workplace. Some seniors just enjoy the social aspects of learning and benefit greatly from being taught various adult learning styles. There are several things to keep in mind when instructing seniors, particularly those with disabilities.
Teaching adults can be challenging at times. Naturally, as we age, we experience changes in vision. We may no longer be able to focus on close objects, deal with the glare of a computer screen for long periods of time, read smaller 18-point font size, see colors as they actually are or see around physical barriers like tables. To teach adults, instructors should take all of these factors into consideration to reduce stress on their pupils. Hearing impairment is another challenge for adults of an older age. Some may learn to do some lip reading, but it’s always best if a loud voice can be used or have a clear microphone installed. Teachers should ensure a quiet setting with limited background noise, have all cell phones turned off and be careful not to distort their faces while speaking.
There are several ways that teachers can help older adults overcome their barriers. First, instilling motivation and self-confidence is very important for older female and male adults because they fear failure much more than young adults. Past experiences of failure, stigmas or stereotypes may haunt these students, making them more hesitant to embrace new material. To help reduce anxiety, teachers can use oral repetition, group activities and a positive emphasis to help the mature students. Secondly, older students want to learn material they can use. They don’t want to waste their time with irrelevant material, redundant lessons or abstract concepts that do not pertain to life experiences. Thirdly, older students have had many life experiences that they’re willing to bring to the classroom or share. Teachers should allow for some flexibility and should respect the knowledge that these older folks possess.
It’s a common misconception that the ability to learn decreases as we age. For most older adults, their intellectual abilities have remained constant throughout their lives, unless they have been affected by some kind of disease, illness or health condition. This myth is rooted in the sixties theory of “cerebral plasticity,” that the brain begins to lose its flexibility to learn new things beginning in puberty but more so as individuals age. More recently, it’s been discovered that older students have highly developed cognitive systems, which enables them to excel at whatever they apply themselves to.
Beth Kaminski is the co-author of Curing Your Anxiety And Panic Attacks which detailed cure panic attack cures as well as tips on the various anxiety disorder medications available at anxietydisordercure.com.
Diseases, Conditions and Treatments • September 14th, 2009 •