Teaching Older Adults Where are the older adults

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Teaching Older Adults

Teaching Older Adults

Where are the older adults? n n n California – 3. 8 million Florida

Where are the older adults? n n n California – 3. 8 million Florida – 17% increase (by state) since 2000 (currently 2. 9 million); Pennsylvania, West Virginia, North Dakota, and Iowa Charlotte County, FL – highest concentration of older adults (34%) Douglas County, CO – 21% increase – by COUNTY, highest in the country Nevada – 15% increase; Alaska, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, New Mexico, and Colorado

Objectives n n Identify key principles of adult learning Describe age-related factors that influence

Objectives n n Identify key principles of adult learning Describe age-related factors that influence learning Identify effective strategies for teaching older adults Develop effective educational materials in print for older adults

Key Principles of Learning for Older Adults n n Learning is enhanced when it

Key Principles of Learning for Older Adults n n Learning is enhanced when it is immediately applicable to real life contexts. Learning depends upon past and current experience. Capitalize on their experience.

Key Principles of Learning for Older Adults n n Older adults prefer learning that

Key Principles of Learning for Older Adults n n Older adults prefer learning that is problemcentered and readiness to learn must exist before effective teaching can be done Adults are people whose style and pace of learning has probably changed. Senior adults learn through their physical senses about the world around us.

Key Principles of Learning for Older Adults n n Senior adults better retain what

Key Principles of Learning for Older Adults n n Senior adults better retain what they have learned when learning is exciting, lively, and informal. Adults want guidance, not grades

Age-related Factors n Physical, psychological, and socio-cultural changes n Short-term memory loss n Visual

Age-related Factors n Physical, psychological, and socio-cultural changes n Short-term memory loss n Visual changes

Age-related Factors n Lower energy level n Hearing changes n Slower information processing

Age-related Factors n Lower energy level n Hearing changes n Slower information processing

Age-related Factors n Psychological variables n Sleep disorders n External factors

Age-related Factors n Psychological variables n Sleep disorders n External factors

Strategies n Presentation Skills n The Learning Environment n Visuals and Audiovisual Aids n

Strategies n Presentation Skills n The Learning Environment n Visuals and Audiovisual Aids n Print Material n Readability n Health-Related Web sites

Presentation Skills n n n Establish audience rapport Position yourself 3 – 5 feet

Presentation Skills n n n Establish audience rapport Position yourself 3 – 5 feet in front of the person (individual); can be seen by all (group) Expect to TAKE MORE TIME Use other forms of sensory stimulation Light on your face Speak slowly; low-frequency; don’t hide your mouth

Presentation Skills n KISS n Repeat, Repeat n Avoid medical terms, jargon, acronyms n

Presentation Skills n KISS n Repeat, Repeat n Avoid medical terms, jargon, acronyms n Stop to ask for questions/feedback n Use anecdotes n Interactive

The Learning Environment n n Eliminate background noise Audience should face away from bright

The Learning Environment n n Eliminate background noise Audience should face away from bright light n Schedule for a high-energy time n Space tables and chairs far enough apart n Position those with hearing loss near sound-absorbing materials

Visuals and Audiovisual Aids n n n n Should relate to key points Use

Visuals and Audiovisual Aids n n n n Should relate to key points Use tinted transparences Yellow on blue background Flip chart: use simple block lettering 3 x 3 Highlight with neon markers Use pictures Provide packets with handouts and visuals

Print Materials n n n Use dark print on light backgrounds Use autumn colors

Print Materials n n n Use dark print on light backgrounds Use autumn colors like brown, orange, and yellow Combine upper case and lower case 1214 font size Use bullets and boxes to highlight key information Avoid negative terms

Readability Indices n Automated readability index n Kinkaid n Flesch n Coleman-Liau n SMOG

Readability Indices n Automated readability index n Kinkaid n Flesch n Coleman-Liau n SMOG

Health-related Web sites n Reading and language comprehension – not aligned with older adults’

Health-related Web sites n Reading and language comprehension – not aligned with older adults’ comprehension skills n Most Web sites: 11 th – 14 th grade level n “Senior-Friendly” guidelines available at: http: //www. medicareed. org/Resources. cfm? RT=CMEPub&Detail=60

Summary and Next Steps n n Learning Principles for Older Adult Age-related factors that

Summary and Next Steps n n Learning Principles for Older Adult Age-related factors that influence learning in older adults n Presentation skills n The learning environment n Visual and audiovisual aids n Reading levels: print and websites for seniors

Questions?

Questions?