The Aging Population

Canada is experiencing a rapid increase in the aging population. In 2011, it was estimated that one in seven Canadians were over the age of 65 years. In 2036, this proportion is expected to increase to one in four older adults (Statistics Canada, 2011). As the number of older adults increases, this will have far reaching effects on society. One of the effects will be an increased need for professionals in all areas of the workforce who have a strong gerontological skills and knowledge in order to meet the needs of the growing older adult population.
The vast majority (80%) of older adults participate in at least on social activity each week and nearly one quarter (24%) of older adults would like to participate in more social, recreational or group activities but experience barriers to participation (Gilmour, 2012). Given this fact and the aging population, it can be expected that there will be more adults who will engage in recreation and leisure in later life and that there will also be more who experience barriers. This will result in an increased demand for recreation services and subsequently more recreation practitioners to provide these services. Recreation Practitioners will need to have appropriate
Developed by Vella (2002), this andragogy is currently used in a Leisure and Aging course, through the Recreation and Leisure Studies Program at University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ontario. Through this course, students participate in an intergenerational education program designed to engage students and older adult volunteers in group discussion about various topics related to leisure, recreation and aging. This research proposal is about exploring the experiences of these undergraduate students and older adult