Successful ageing: contributions of non-formal (adult) education in a group of older people in northern Portugal

Figures & data

Table 1. Workshops and activities delivered.

WORKSHOPS AND ACTIVITIES DELIVERED
HEALTH EDUCATION AND PROMOTION WORKSHOP Objectives: To promote positive feelings and well-being; To raise awareness of the importance of healthy diet and habits.	The purpose of this workshop was to raise awareness and encourage participants to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Activities: “Meditation & Yoga;” “Aquafresh smile;” “Web of self-esteem;” “Sensory stimulation through aromas;” “Tell me trainee – What is Alzheimer’s?;” “Food wheel;” “Tell me trainee – Should we reduce sugar intake?;” “Tell me trainee – What is personal hygiene? “Biscuits in the center;” “Walking for discovery.” The activities in this workshop were based on sociocultural animation techniques, as described by Ander-Egg (2000); group cohesion techniques, information and communication techniques encompassing all three elements: oral communication (through discussion of various subjects); exposition techniques (explanatory and awareness-raising images and videos) and oral and visual social communication techniques (projected images, videos and PowerPoint). Games were also used, providing opportunities for interaction and well-being.
ART WORKSHOP Objectives: To awaken an interest in fine arts, photography and film; To build on the skills, knowledge, experiences, and culture of the participants To promote cognitive function	The purpose of this workshop was to promote artistic education, drawing on traditional culture, customs, costumes, local history, values, religion, etc. Activities: “Let’s listen!;” “Complete the tune;” “What is the message?;” “What if I was with you?;” “The freedom plane;” “Tell me what it was like – cinema session;” “Olh’ó passarinho;” “Portuguese literature; “The photograph album – construction;” “Decorating our memories;” “Loved ones frame.” The activities in this workshop were based on sociocultural animation techniques, as described by Ander-Egg (2000); group cohesion techniques, through activities involving sharing ideas and stories; oral and audio-visual social communication techniques, using digital materials, such as projected images, films, videos and PowerPoint. Art activities were also used in the following fields: fine art, literature, music, photography and film.
COGNITIVE STIMULATION WORKSHOP Objectives: To stimulate memory, concentration and reasoning To encourage interaction and sharing of knowledge	The purpose of this workshop was cognitive stimulation. Activities: “Tell me how it used to be;” “Find me far away;” “My brain knows how to think;” “Memorise, count and regroup;” “Sums with clothes pegs;” “Zebra squares;” “Put on the blindfold, remove the blindfold;” “Geometric figures;” “Let’s fish … for colored balls.” The activities in this workshop were based on sociocultural animation techniques, as described by Ander-Egg (2000); group cohesion techniques, through activities involving sharing experience and knowledge; and games, offering opportunities for fun, interaction and well-being, stimulating memory, attention, concentration and reasoning.
LEARNING THROUGH GAMES WORKSHOP Objectives: To provide opportunities for interaction and leisure To spark creativity among the participants	This workshop aimed to promote well-being. Activities: “Aim and throw;” “Circle of colors;” “How many do you want?;” “The secret of the balloon;” “Spider web;” “Balloons through a straw;” “Planting knowledge.” The activities in this workshop were based on sociocultural animation techniques, as described by Ander-Egg (2000), group cohesion techniques, through activities promoting the sharing experiences and knowledge and fostering interaction among the group; and games, transforming moments of fun, interaction and well-being into enjoyable learning opportunities.

Source: Survey data.

Table 2. Categories and sub-categories.

Categories	Sub-categories
Learning	Pleasure and satisfaction in learning Education and health promotion
More positive perspective of facing life	Increase in positive emotions Feeling of well-being
Strengthening the interpersonal relationship network	Conviviality Optimization of free time

Source: Survey data.

Ander-Egg, E. (2000). Metodologia y prática de la animación sociocultural. CSS.

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