Open university of the third age: the experience of the School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities

Abstract

This study aimed: a) raise the sociodemographic data of the participants of the Open University of the Third Age - EACH USP b) characterize the reasons reported by the elderly as to attend the program, and c) assess the impact of intergenerational relations in the academic environment. For collecting data it was used a socio-demographic questionnaire, two open questions to assess the impact of intergenerational relations in the academic environment and a scale to determine the reasons by order and by level of satisfaction that each represented. The group composed of mature adult and elderly at an average of age of 62.20 years (SD = 5.26 years) was basically made by females (95%). The reasons to attend Open University was more interested in investing in their own development with the increase of information and self-development associated with social relations, as more than 50% said that increase knowledge was the first reason that brought to the program, followed to increase social contact. As to the degree of satisfaction that each variable accounted for, regardless of how ordered the reasons, most of the respondents declared themselves satisfied and very satisfied with their involvement in the program. In the context of intergenerational contact, everyone who is associated with younger said they had advantages and gains, and has changed their perception positively. We concluded that the program is achieving its goals and giving them an effective response to theirs needs of its participants.