Assessing older adult educational needs: A mixed-methods study for identification and prioritization

To improve the quality of life of older adults, adequate education and training is necessary. To provide effective training, it is crucial to assess and prioritize the educational needs of older adults. This study aims to identify and prioritize the educational needs of older adults with a mixed-methods approach and was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, we used the inductive content analysis method to explain the educational needs of older adults. In the second phase, a cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the level of need and prioritize these needs. During the first phase, the study identified 10 key areas of educational needs for older adults. Almost all educational titles had a statistically significant relationship with age and education, indicating that these factors play a crucial role in determining the educational needs of older adults (p < .05). According to the results, it is essential to emphasize and invest more in the topics that are of priority from the perspective of the older adults in planning programs aimed at empowering and educating the older adults. Additionally, awareness-raising and information dissemination strategies should be used for other basic needs of the older adults that have not yet been recognized as perceived needs.