Identifying and Prioritizing the Educational Needs of Iranian Older Adults

This study aims to identify and prioritize the educational needs of older adults in Iran as a prerequisite for developing any educational intervention for them.

In this study, the interviews and content analysis were used to identify the needs, and the Delphi method was used to prioritize them. Three target groups were experts in the fields of education and geriatrics, caregivers of older adults, and older adults. Purposive sampling was used for sampling. The final samples consisted of 45 people.

The results of content analysis by Sterberg’s method, 13 themes were extracted which were sent to the participants for prioritization using the Delphi method. Finally, after two rounds, the participants agreed by 96% on the priority of the most needs, which were: 1) Health-promoting skills, 2) Management of negative emotions and feelings, 3) Self-knowledge, 4) Sense of satisfaction, 5) Interpersonal communication skills, and 6) Self-learning.

With age, physical health and negative emotions management skills decline and with the limitation of the circle of friends and relatives due to retirement or death, social health is also at risk. Proper knowledge about old age and acquiring self-learning skills are key elements to overcome the challenges of this period. The educational centers in Iran should provide education to older adults about health-promoting skills, how to manage negative emotions, knowledge about old age and self-learning skills, and communication skills.