Membership of the University of the Third Age (U3A) and perceived well-being

To study the perceived well-being of members of the University of the Third Age (U3A) a sample of 975 members with a mean age of 67.9 +/- 6.98 years (range 50-94) was obtained from within the Greater Sydney Metropolitan Region and administered the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Short Form 36-item (SF-36) health survey. The SF-36 assesses eight health concepts; limitations in physical activities because of health problems; limitations in social activities because of physical or emotional problems; limitations in usual role activities because of physical health problems; bodily pain; general mental health; limitations in usual role activities because of emotional problems; vitality; and general health perception. Comparisons were made with USA normative peer groups, and the U3A sample scored as well as, or better than, their American peers. It is concluded that members of U3A had better-than-average general, physical and mental health, and that membership of U3A can, even in the very elderly, assist in conferring a much more positive perception of well-being.