Self-improving seniors get skills upgrade in Taichung

2021/04/09

Dajia District Office in central Taiwan’s Taichung City is committed to promoting active aging and healthy longevity through continued education in collaboration with Dajia Junior High School and local government’s Social Affairs Bureau.
 
Commencing in 1986, the DDO-overseen education program comprised 11 classes and some 300 students. It has since expanded to 81 classes covering a wide range of subjects, including calligraphy, flower arrangement, information and communication technology and multiple languages, while the student body has grown to around 2,500.
 
Chen Su-wan, 87, is living proof of the success of the initiative. He is a diligent participant in English conversation classes twice a week for the past 20 years.
 
Always doing the homework has paid off, Chen said. The rewards are being able to enjoy TV shows in English and sing popular American and British songs, he added.

Local governments around the country are sponsoring educational programs for senior citizens to facilitate lifelong learning and lessen cognitive and bodily decline. These focus on personal development, in addition to late-life adjustments, with curriculums tailored to meet the needs and wants of senior citizens.
 
According to Li Yen-ju, chief of the DDO’s Social Welfare Section, older people are more health conscious and taking active steps to boost their well-being. Many studies show that continuing to learn in one’s golden years helps improve mental faculty, strengthen physical fitness and establish new social connections, Li said.
 
This practice is an important component of the active aging policy framework, Li said, adding that it aims to foster a healthy lifestyle and extend life expectancy.

As part of efforts to adapt to a fast-changing environment and cater to rising demand, Li said the DDO is constantly improving course designs and teaching methods with the goal of enhancing student engagement.
 
There is an array of classes on offer enabling students to acquire knowledge and skills, or simply relax with a new hobby, Li said. Some courses, especially those related to ICT and health, are often fully booked within hours, she added.
 
Wu Song-yun, 81, is another senior demonstrating great enthusiasm for lifelong learning. Dancing, singing and language classes are on the schedule Monday through Saturday, he said. Dajia’s courses are an integral part of everyday life and a great source of personal happiness, he added.


Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)