Two years of education can impact the way you age

Key points:

• Fewer than one percent of older Australians engage in formal study, as per the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics
• Researchers suggest that the rate of ageing could be reduced by up to three percent for two years of further education
• Formal education providers such as Monash University will hold their open days for prospective students in the coming weeks

Fewer than one percent of older Australians engage in formal study, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. 

However, older adults who ‘achieved higher levels of education tended to age more slowly and went on to live longer lives as compared to those who did not achieve upward educational mobility.’

Researchers studied families of three generations to understand the association of educational achievements between parents and their adult children. Just two years of further education is said to decrease the rate of ageing by up to three percent, according to the study.

In the coming weeks, universities will hold open days to encourage prospective students to enrol in their courses. Universities such as Monash University in Victoria will hold their campus open days in August.

Monash University Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Sharon Pickering emphasised the value of engaging with Monash University by visiting one of their four campuses during the scheduled open days.

“We have an exciting program of events planned, highlighting the transformative education, groundbreaking research and exceptional student experience available at Monash,” she said.

However, with more than 74,000 attendees expected at their open days, registration on the Monash University website is recommended. 

Only 31 percent of Australians over the age of 65 held a tertiary education certification, according to recent data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. 

However, Gloria Graf, a PhD candidate in the Department of Epidemiology, stated the importance of continuing higher education through generations.

“Our findings support the hypothesis that interventions to promote educational attainment will slow the pace of biological aging and promote longevity,” said Graf.

Ms Graf also explained that researchers could isolate the effects of education to determine the benefits, despite variations between families in the study. 

“[…] We focused on educational mobility, how much more or less education a person completed relative to their parents and sibling differences in educational attainment — how much more or less education a person completed relative to their siblings,” she said.

Researchers identified that ‘siblings with higher educational mobility tended to have a slower pace of ageing.’

However, if you are looking to further your education, a formal qualification from a university isn’t the only option.

Short courses vary in terms of length and educational expectations, depending on the institution that provides the service. 

Adult education centres are used to build confidence and understanding in the topic of choice but are less likely to give students grades or tests to determine the level of their learning. For some people, this may cause less stress than more formal courses.

Approximately 11 percent of older Australians participated in non-formal learning options according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. 

In some cases, a short course may only consist of one day of learning, but some courses may extend to weeks or even months if desired.

Short courses at Australian adult learning centres cater to students from beginners to expert level and can include:

• languages;
• dance and fitness;
• painting and cooking. 

While 54.9 percent of older Australians studied to increase job skills, 15.7 percent engaged in study for personal development, as per the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Keeping your mind healthy may be one of the most important mitigating factors for dementia. Mental exercises ensure your brain continues to build new brain cells and strengthen those connections as you age.

Currently, an estimated 411,000 Australians live with dementia, according to recent data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

For more information about studying as an older Australian, have a look at our article about the benefits and options.

What are you most interested in studying as an older Australian?

Let the team at Your Retirement Living know on social media. 

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