Personal development and learning at the third age. A good practice model: the 'seniors academy', Brasov

• Author: Diana Cristina Bódi
• Position: Transilvania University of Brasov
• Pages: 77-84

Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşo v

Series VII: Social Sciences • Law • Vol. 11 (60) No. 1 - 2018

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING

AT THE THIRD AGE.

A GOOD PRACTICE MODEL:

THE "SENIORS ACADEMY", BRAȘOV

Diana Cristina BÓDI1

Abstract: In this article I will present the project „Seniors Academy”, a

project for the elderly implemented within the Day Center for the elderly,

within the Brasov Social Services Institution. Although there are

preconceptions and even theories that talk about the inactivity of the elderly,

this project comes to contradict these ideas and to show that the elderly can

be active people, with the desire to learn so as to remain part of society. The

"Seniors Academy" is a project that confirms the theory of activity, linked to

the concept of "successful aging". The project proposes a new vision of the

retirement period, with interactive learning and personal development

activities.

Key words: elderly people, activity theory, personal development at third

age.

1. Introduction

The perception of aging suggests that old age is characterized by an involution.

Although we consider that elderly can no longer learn new things, as it is confirmed by

some psychological researches, by introducing the concept of "crystalline intelligence"

(Cattell, 1987). On the other hand, some sociological theories, such as activity theory

and continuity theory, insist on the concept of activity during retirement, so that the

elderly can occupy their leisure time and, at the same time, feel integrated and useful in

society.

In this regard, I shall present a good practice model that was implemented in Brasov,

the "Seniors Academy" project, which had diverse learning and personal development

courses adapted to the needs and interests of the elderly, a project in which the Faculty

of Sociology and Communication was partner. The project was implemented within the

Day Care Center for the elderly, within the Brasov Social Services Institution. The project

responds to the demands of the elderly people, to have diverse activities within the

center and also to the elderly people's desire for social integration, according to the

1 Transilvania University of Braşov, diana.bodi@unitbv.ro