Abstract:

The growing number of older people in Polish society is the basis for scientific reflection on the subject of social functioning of seniors in times of numerous social changes. The subject of the presented research was the educational activity of Polish seniors. The research involved 400 seniors - 200 participants of Universities of the Third Age and 200 people not undertaking educational activity at the Third Age Universities.

By conducting research in the quantitative-qualitative paradigm, the following research problems were answered:
- How do the surveyed people define education in the period of old age?
- What functions does educational activity play in the life of the respondents?
- What factors determine the undertaking of educational activity among the surveyed people?
- To what extent does the family situation condition educational activity?

The obtained results allowed to determine the significance and role that educational activity plays among the seniors surveyed. The research was of comparative nature, which allowed us to see the differences between people who are active in education and seniors who do not work at the Universities of the Third Age.

In the presentation, the authors will present in detail the results of their own research.

Keywords:

Education, Universities of the Third Age, education functions, the elderly, old age.