Education for aging

The increasing proportion of older adults within the population has two major implications for health education. First, provision of factual information relating to increasing longevity at optimal levels of wellness is likely to produce a new generation of older adults able to enjoy an improved quality of life during the later years. Second, self-esteem and positive emotional health can be enhanced through programs emphasizing positive attitudes regarding this stage of the life development cycle. Basic concepts and generalizations related to aging are presented to illustrate how aging content can be integrated within existing health curricula. As each of us ultimatley must develop a successful pattern of aging to enjoy older adulthood, the provision of a clearer understanding of the aging process is a responsibility that must be addressed within the arena of the schools.