Introduction:

Population aging is still a challenge for the nations, and therefore requires new looks to the attention of older adults in order to achieve active aging, which is a generator of quality of life and well-being.

Objective:

To diagnose the educational needs for active aging of older adults in Universidad community in Santa Clara.

Methods:

Following a qualitative paradigm, there were used techniques such as focus group, semi-structured interviews and participant observation.

Results:

The educational needs of older adults are related with little active participation in social spaces, beliefs and prejudices about old age that constitute a negative representation of this stage of life, which focuses on the culmination of the development, inactivity, inadequacy of self-evaluation processes such as self-image and self-esteem. These representations are related to non-acceptance of the aging process itself; poverty of knowledge of important issues such as leisure and free time; as well as the effects of physical exercises for health, lack of interests and motivations that transcend the family context.

Conclusions:

Older adults should participate in spaces of social interaction, self-care and physical activity that foster the development of new motivations that transcend their family context. There must be taken advantage of the potential offered by the environments in which they operate and thus promote the development of educational interventions that encourage active aging.

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