Analysis of Educational Programs at Senior Welfare Centers Based on McClusky’s Educational Needs of the Ageing

The purpose of this study is to analyze the educational programs of senior welfare centers based on McClusky’s Educational Needs of the Ageing to assess their coverage of various aspects of older adults’ needs. Programs were categorized by coping, expressive, contributive, influence, and transcendence needs. The analysis revealed a significant imbalance in program distribution across these categories, with expressive needs-related programs comprising the highest proportion(60.2%), followed by coping needs(30.6%), contributive and influence needs(8.1%), and transcendence needs(1.1%). Although there are variations among centers, a similar trend was observed. Looking at the main types of programs for each category of need, coping needs programs included digital literacy and exercise; expressive needs featured sports, music, art, and foreign languages; contributive and influence needs were met through volunteer work and leadership programs; and transcendence needs were addressed by well-dying programs. Changes in the socioeconomic landscape are increasing older adults' need for agency, social engagement, and productive contributions. It is necessary to rebalance educational programs that are biased towards coping and expressive needs with those that not only reflect these needs, but also explore the essential meaning of old age and continue to grow through self-integration. In addition, within each category of needs, diversity must be expanded to reflect the wider range of older adults.