IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR RURAL ELDERLY AFRICAN AMERICANS THROUGH EDUCATION: A NONTRADITIONAL APPROACH

The primary purpose of this article is to propose a program that could increase the participation of rural elderly African Americans in formal educational programs. The proposed home-based program is designed to provide these elders an opportunity to acquire knowledge and develop skills to help them perform basic and functional tasks considered essential to daily living. It is expected that the learning acquired will help them meet expressive as well as instrumental needs and thus improve their overall quality of life. The program is nontraditional in that it aims to provide a teaching and learning experience through outreach in the homes of rural elderly African American participants.