Abstract:

Education is the most powerful resource for the development of both individuals and society as a whole. Lifelong learning provides the individual with opportunities for self-realization and adaptation to changes in society. The state should provide conditions for education, expand opportunities to meet human needs for education of different levels and directions throughout life.

At the same time, the research results show not only a rather low level of Russians' participation in continuing education, but also a certain tendency towards its decline. This is especially true for citizens in older age groups. The low level of involvement of older citizens in life-long learning restricts their opportunities to acquire new knowledge, skills and competencies, and reduces the effectiveness of work and post-retirement activities.

In order to increase the involvement of the population in lifelong learning practices, it is necessary to find ways. One such way may be to involve active groups of older citizens in education and to share their positive experiences.

The aim of the article is to analyze the influence of social activity of older people on lifelong learning. The objectives of the research are:
1) to study the involvement of older people in the practice of social activity;
2) to identify socio-demographic characteristics of socially active older people;
3) to study the impact of social activity of older people on the involvement in education and desire to learn in the future.

The empirical basis of the article was the results of a sociological survey conducted in the Sverdlovsk region (December 2019 - January 2020). The mass survey was attended by citizens over 45 years old living in 52 settlements of different types (n = 512).

The article shows that older citizens spend their leisure time in a variety of ways. They are active physically (doing sports, household chores, gardening, etc.) and intellectually (reading, spending time at the computer, solving crosswords). Their activities are focused on meeting individual and social needs (health preservation, creativity, assistance in caring for grandchildren, communication with loved ones).

The absolute majority of respondents during the last year at least once participated in any practices of social activity. Only about 7% of older citizens said that they had never participated in any kind of activity. Respondents most often participate in cultural and educational activities, as well as cleaning and landscaping of their yard and house (about 40%).

It has been found that women with higher education are more intensively involved in social activity practices.

Older people who are focused on meeting the needs of intellectual development and helping others have a more positive attitude towards learning and are more likely to learn.

It was concluded that to activate the values and motivation for lifelong learning in older citizens it is necessary to use the resource of active groups of elderly citizens.

Keywords:

Lifelong learning, older people, social activity.