The needs analysis on adult competencies for the elderly in Korea

Objectives This study aims to examine the discrepancy level of the elderly competencies and to assess the educational needs in order to enhance essential competencies for the elderly in Korea. Methods Data were collected from 315 adults with age range of 60 to 69 through online survey questionnaire on 19 adult competencies developed in the prior research. First, gap analysis was carried out to identify discrepancy between perceived importance of each competence and the current level of attainment of each competence using t-test and Borich needs assessment formula. Then, the Locus for Focus model was utilized to rank the competences, thus to determine the highest priority of the competences. Results As a result of the analysis, two competencies, which include health-management competence and finance-management competence, were identified as the highest-priority competencies for the Korean elderly to develop. The study also found that the elderly males and females showed different levels of educational needs on each competence; for example, the level of educational needs on health-management competence and digital-utilization competence were higher for the elderly males than the elderly females while no particular competence was identified as the highest-priority competence for the elderly females. In addition, different educational needs on 19 adults competencies were also shown between the employed and the unemployed. Conclusions The suggestions and practical implications of the study for developing policies and educational programs for the elderly in Korea are as follows. First, competency diagnostic system needs to be established for the Korean elderly to develop the highest-priority competencies identified in this study. Second, a variety of teaching methods can be utilized for developing digital-utilization competence of senior adults. Lastly, financial and administrative support at the institutional and local governmental level is suggested for enhancing art & cultural competence among the elderly in Korea.