Supporting older adults to respond to public health emergency situations through educational activities: A thematic approach

The prevalence of misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic among Ghanaians, especially older adults, required educational initiatives from both the government and private institutions to inform the wider population about the pandemic’s causes and preventive measures. Following the World Health Organization’s official declaration of the pandemic’s end, there has been a notable paucity of scholarly studies investigating how planned and structured educational programs, grounded in informal and non-formal learning, can assist older adults to obtain essential information related to their well-being and health. Therefore, the current study explores how older adults could engage in informal and non-formal learning activities to enhance their health and well-being by addressing four questions supported by activity theory. A thematic analysis approach was adopted to systematically evaluate data from published resources. The findings highlight three important ways that older adults learn: learning within the family units; using technology-mediated modes; and learning with the support of facilitators and peers through network relations. These three ‘objects’ also demonstrate how informal and non-formal learning modes could be used to assist older adults in preparing for potential future pandemics. The study concludes that adopting non-formal and informal learning modes for older adults can enhance resilience during public health emergencies, support active participation in health care help identify reliable health information sources, develop skills for effective digital communication, combat ageism through knowledge and self-awareness, and reduce social isolation and loneliness.