College for seniors program

Abstract

In recent years, a global trend has been observed to the significant increase of the elderly population, a fact known as demographic transition, and that brings major changes on the age pyramid and generates a new population profile. The implications of this new population profile, which is also noted in Brazil, can be both positive and generate new challenges, mainly in the need of extension of programs, resources and services oriented to this population. The longer lifespan, although is an achievement, needs to be accompanied by the search for life quality and adoption of strategies encompassing this population characteristics, with the goal of promoting a longer lifetime without disabilities. Due to the significant increase of the elderly population in Brazil and abroad, the extension of resources, programs and services oriented to this population is essential. Analyzing this whole context, the UniversIDADE [College for Seniors] Program was created to provide people aged over 50 years old with conditions to prepare the individual in pre or post-retirement process, through free and interdisciplinary activities, for functionality maintenance, social participation and logevity, with the purpose of emphasizing the preventive aspects, for the maintenance of a better quality of life when ageing, and for the resulting health promotion. The Program, in its third module, to which more than 850 enrolled students take part, with possibility to participate in more than 130 interdisciplinary activities, voluntarily proposed by professors, students, employees and external professionals. The activities offered are distributed in four themed areas: Arts and Culture; Sports and Leisure; Physical and Mental Health, Culture Partner and Income Generation.