Ghana

Abstract

Learning has been described as lifelong because it has no end. Although much attention has been focused on formal learning among adults, very little attention has been given to learning among older adults. Informal learning, one of the components of lifelong learning has been marginalized in most studies on learning among older adults. This empirical study examined the informal learning that went on among older adults who had retired and were in bridge occupations. The study which was a case study adopted the snowball sampling approach to selected seven adults who had retired from active service but where still working in different institutions. The in-depth interview approach which consisted of open-ended questions was used to collect data on learning activities of the respondents. The findings of the study revealed that the older adults were all in good health. This confirmed the fact that continuous learning was dependent on active ageing. The study also found that the older adults had learned new things in their new environment. The types of learning that occurred were informal and experiential. The study recommends more research on bridge occupation of older adults and informal learning.