scholarly journals The Active Aging Agenda, Old Folk Devils and a New Moral Panic

2011 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 209-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth C.J. Pike
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older People ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Conclusive Evidence ◽  
Social Benefits ◽  
Active Aging ◽  
Moral Panics ◽  
International Policy ◽  
Policy Agendas

The proposal that older people should engage in “active aging” has come to dominate local, national, and international policy agendas. This encompasses a variety of ways that older persons might maintain active citizenship, but invariably promotes physical activity and exercise as having health and social benefits, despite a lack of conclusive evidence to support such claims. In this paper, I further examine the meaning of these claims through an analysis of policy documents, reports, and media articles which promote the perceived benefits of physical activity in later life. I revisit Cohen’s (2002) concepts of folk devils and moral panics to understand how these messages simultaneously problematize older people while creating a market for emergent moral entrepreneurs who claim to have the solution to the problem they have in part created. I conclude with recommendations for improved understanding of the benefits and appropriate provision for active aging.

Ageing

2021 ◽  
pp. 240-254
Author(s):  
Wadad Kathy Tannous ◽  
Kathleen Quilty
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Technological Evolution ◽  
Technological Advancement ◽  
Emergent Technologies ◽  
The World ◽  
First Time

In 2019, the number of people in the world aged over 65 was 703 million. By 2050, this number is projected to be 1.5 billion. However, it is not only the number of older persons but the proportion that is changing. Italy was the first country to experience a demographic milestone known as the ‘Historic Reversal', reporting in 1995 that the population of people aged 65 years and older outnumbered children under the age of 15 for the first time ever. By 2050, this number is expected to reach 90 countries. This social ‘megatrend' collides with another shifting paradigm: technological advancement, accelerating every year at an extraordinary pace. While this trend of continuous technological evolution is not developing uniformly around the world, the scope of potential support that new and emergent technologies can bring to older adults is enormous. This chapter explores key areas of consideration to ensure that the promise of the digital future is realised for older people and that it is an enabling force, rather than a barrier to enjoying a longer, more supported later life.

scholarly journals Socioeconomic status and health inequalities among older people from Bangladeshi ethnic minority group in England

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Z Hossain
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Minority Group ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Western Country ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
London Borough ◽  
The United Kingdom

The study aims to examine what socio-economic, health and psychological problems of older Bangladeshi (55 years and older) experience in later life and what members of the Bangladeshi community perceive to be the reasons for these difficulties. It also aims at finding out the extent to which gerontological theories, that highlight the problems associated with later life, reflect the experiences of older people across ethnic and cultural differences in the United Kingdom. The research has been carried out in the London Borough of Croydon where a small number of Bangladeshi communities live. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with older people from the mixer of men and women so as to answer the above research question i.e. the problems and the effects of ageing process far from home where they made their later life abode. In a qualitative semi - structured interview study in the London Borough of Croydon, 17 older persons from the Bangladeshi communities were asked about their problems of ageing and how they feel about living and growing old in a western country.

scholarly journals New Bikes for the Old

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 39-56
Author(s):  
Aske Juul Lassen ◽  
Tiago Moreira
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older People ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Social Participation ◽  
Research Programme ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Active Ageing ◽  
Sustainable Living ◽  
Key Technology ◽  
Ethnographic Data

In the last 15 years, STS has established a research programme focused on the sociotechnical reconfiguration of later life, particularly as new political programmes aim to deploy ‘active ageing’ in contemporary societies. In Denmark, the bicycle is a key technology in this aim, because of how it articulates sustainable living, health and social participation. Thus, two new ‘inclusive cycling’ initiatives for older people have been developed. Drawing on ethnographic data, we explore the ways the bikes differ, and how they explicitly mobilise active ageing as a form of ‘good old age’ in different ways. We argue that whereas ‘Cycling without Age’ rickshaws attempt to assemble social participation for older people, ‘Duo-Bikes’ aim to enable capacities through physical activity in later life. We further explore what happens when these two schemes meet, and suggest how searching for a compromise will be necessary to enhance opportunities to cycle in later life.  

scholarly journals Experiences of Older People with Dancing as a Form of Physical Activity / Iskustva starijih osoba s plesom kao oblikom fizičke aktivnosti

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Štambuk ◽  
Valentina Tomičić
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Motor Skills ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Active Aging ◽  
Positive Contribution ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Environment Enrichment ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Good Organization

In terms of active aging, physical activity, which is considered a major factor inpreserving good physical and mental health, is particularly emphasized. In thispaper, the focus is on dancing as an activity that includes motor skills, cognitive andsensorimotor capacities, emotional and social tendencies and sensory abilities. Theaim of the study was to gain an insight into some aspects of participation in danceactivities from the perspective of older persons who participate in dance activities. Theresults of the research demonstrate that older persons cite new life circumstances as areason for engaging in dance activities, as well as good organization of dance activitiesfor older persons. They also highlight the characteristics and relationships amongmembers of a dance group, as well as the importance of the leader’s role, responsesof their social environment, enrichment of daily life by dance and the discovery ofdancing as a talent that contributes to the sense of community at a higher level.Certain difficulties related to participation in dance activities are highlighted as well(e.g. differences in participants’ abilities to master dance steps). Older persons regardparticipation in dance activities as yielding multiple benefits: as a determinant ofphysical and mental health, preserving cognitive functions, expanding the network offriends and acquaintances, and a feeling of having free time that is rich in activities.It can be concluded that dancing plays an important role in the lives of persons whoparticipate in these activities, as well as that it represents a positive contribution tovarious aspects of their lives.Key words: active aging; andragogy; physical activity; dancing; older persons.-Kod aktivnog starenja osobito se ističe fizička aktivnost koja se smatra glavnimfaktorom za očuvanje dobrog fizičkog i psihičkog zdravlja. U ovom radu fokus je naplesu kao aktivnosti koja uključuje motoričke vještine, kognitivne i senzomotornekapacitete, emocionalne i socijalne sklonosti te osjetilne sposobnosti. Cilj istraživanjabio je dobiti uvid u neke aspekte sudjelovanja u plesnim aktivnostima iz perspektivestarijih osoba koje sudjeluju u plesnim aktivnostima. Rezultati istraživanja pokazujuda starije osobe za sudjelovanje u plesnim aktivnostima navode nove životneokolnosti kao razloge bavljenja plesom i dobru organizaciju plesnih aktivnosti zastarije. Također ističu karakteristike i odnose među članova plesne skupine kao ivažnost uloge voditelja, reakcije okoline, obogaćenost svakodnevnog života plesom teotkrivanje plesa kao talenta koji doprinosi zajedništvu na višoj razini. Istaknute su ineke teškoće vezane uz sudjelovanje u plesnim aktivnostima (npr. različite mogućnostisudionika u svladavanju plesnih koraka). Sudjelovanje u plesnim aktivnostima starijeosobe doživljavaju višestruko korisnima: kao odrednicu fizičkog i psihičkog zdravlja,očuvanje kognitivnih funkcija, širenje mreže prijatelja i poznanika te osjećaj dobroispunjenog slobodnog vremena. Može se zaključiti kako ples ima važnu ulogu u životustarijih osoba koje sudjeluju u navedenim aktivnostima kao i pozitivan doprinosrazličitim aspektima njihovog života.Ključne riječi: aktivno starenje; andragogija; fizička aktivnost; ples; starije osobe

scholarly journals Active Aging: Exploration into Self-Ratings of “Being Active,” Out-of-Home Physical Activity, and Participation among Older Australian Adults Living in Four Different Settings

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosemary L. Aird ◽  
Laurie Buys
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older People ◽  
Gps Tracking ◽  
Built Environments ◽  
Active Aging ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Community Based Programs ◽  
Promotion Campaigns ◽  
Time Away

We examined whether self-ratings of “being active” among older people living in four different settings (major city high and lower density suburbs, a regional city, and a rural area) were associated with out-of-home participation and outdoor physical activity. A mixed-methods approach (survey, travel diary, and GPS tracking over a one-week period) was used to gather data from 48 individuals aged over 55 years. Self-ratings of “being active” were found to be positively correlated with the number of days older people spent time away from home but unrelated to time traveled by active means (walking and biking). No significant differences in active travel were found between the four study locations, despite differences in their respective built environments. The findings suggest that additional strategies to the creation of “age-friendly” environments are needed if older people are to increase their levels of outdoor physical activity. “Active aging” promotion campaigns may need to explicitly identify the benefits of walking outdoors to ambulatory older people as a means of maintaining their overall health, functional ability, and participation within society in the long-term and also encourage the development of community-based programs in order to facilitate regular walking for this group.

scholarly journals Socioeconomic status and health inequalities among older people from Bangladeshi ethnic minority group in England

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Z Hossain
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Minority Group ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Western Country ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
London Borough ◽  
The United Kingdom

The study aims to examine what socio-economic, health and psychological problems of older Bangladeshi (55 years and older) experience in later life and what members of the Bangladeshi community perceive to be the reasons for these difficulties. It also aims at finding out the extent to which gerontological theories, that highlight the problems associated with later life, reflect the experiences of older people across ethnic and cultural differences in the United Kingdom. The research has been carried out in the London Borough of Croydon where a small number of Bangladeshi communities live. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with older people from the mixer of men and women so as to answer the above research question i.e. the problems and the effects of ageing process far from home where they made their later life abode. In a qualitative semi - structured interview study in the London Borough of Croydon, 17 older persons from the Bangladeshi communities were asked about their problems of ageing and how they feel about living and growing old in a western country.

scholarly journals How Does Neighborhood Engagement Affect the Association of Living Alone with Mental Disorder Risks in Older People?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Razak M Gyasi ◽  
Kabila Abass ◽  
Samuel Adu-Gyamfi
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older People ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Social Participation ◽  
Psychological Disorders ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Neighborhood Characteristics ◽  
Distress Scale

Abstract Background: Social isolation has been increasingly recognized as a strong risk factor for health-related outcomes, yet, there is limited knowledge about the pathways linking living alone to later life psychological disorders. This study examines the influence of living alone on older people’s psychological disorders and explores the protective role of neighborhood engagement such as social participation and physical activity. Methods: We used cross-sectional data from a 2016/2017 Aging, Health, Psychological Wellbeing and Health-seeking Behavior Survey involving nationally representative sample of 1200 adults aged 50+ years in Ghana. The study focused on a latent measure of Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) and on the General Practice Physical Activity Scale. Ordinary Least Squares models assessed the effect of living alone interactively with neighborhood characteristics on the indicator of mental disorder. Results: The results showed that living alone was independent predictor of poor mental disorder in the overall sample, among females, urban dwellers and all age groups. However, physical activity and social participation significantly buffered against these associations. In the stratified analysis, physical activity moderated the association for males, rural-dwellers and those 65+ years whilst social participation modified the association for females, urban-dwellers and those 50-64 years. Conclusions: Neighborhood characteristics strongly attenuate the positive association of living alone with mental disorders. These findings may inform intervention initiatives targeted at improving mental health of older people living alone.

scholarly journals Leisure-time Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour in Older People: The Influence of Sport Involvement on Behaviour Patterns in Later Life

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy M. Gayman ◽  
◽  
Jessica Fraser-Thomas ◽  
Jamie E. L. Spinney ◽  
Rachael C. Stone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older People ◽  
Sedentary Behaviour ◽  
Leisure Time ◽  
Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽  
Later Life

scholarly journals How does neighborhood psychosocial interventions affect the link between living alone and psychological disorders in later life?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Razak M Gyasi ◽  
Kabila Abass ◽  
Samuel Adu-Gyamfi
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Older People ◽  
Social Participation ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Psychological Disorder ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Psychological State ◽  
Distress Scale

Abstract Background: Social isolation is widespread and strongly associated with deleterious health-related outcomes across the life course in low- and middle-income settings. Despite this broad base of knowledge, there is little reported research on the pathways linking living alone to later life psychological state. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the influence of living alone on psychological disorder in middle- aged and older people and to explore the protective role of potential psychosocial strategies such as social participation and physical activity. Methods: We used cross-sectional data from a 2016/2017 Aging, Health, Psychological Wellbeing and Health-seeking Behavior Survey involving nationally representative sample of 1200 adults aged 50+ years in Ghana. The study focused on a latent measure of Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) and on the General Practice Physical Activity Scale (GPPAS). Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression models evaluated the effect of living alone interactively with neighborhood engagement measures on the indicator of mental disorder. Results: The results showed that living alone was independent predictor of psychological distress in the overall sample, among females, urban dwellers and all age groups. However, physical activity and social participation significantly buffered against these associations. In the stratified analysis, physical activity moderated the association for males, rural-dwellers and those 65+ years whilst social participation modified the association for females, urban-dwellers and those 50-64 years. Conclusions: Psychosocial mechanisms strongly attenuate the positive association of living alone with the risk of psychological distress in older age. These findings may inform intervention initiatives targeted at improving mental health of chronically detached and isolated older people.

scholarly journals From Active Aging to Active Citizenship: The Role of (Age) Friendliness

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. 134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Del Barrio ◽  
Sara Marsillas ◽  
Tine Buffel ◽  
An-Sofie Smetcoren ◽  
Mayte Sancho
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Citizen Participation ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Active Aging ◽  
Active Citizenship ◽  
Leading Role ◽  
Demographic Aging ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities

The concept of ‘Active Aging’ emerged in the 1990s, reflecting a growing emphasis on the relationships between health, participation, aging, and independence. The concept focuses on encouraging the participation of older adults in society and it recognizes the competence and knowledge that older people possess. The Active Aging discourse developed as a broad political response to demographic aging, one which promotes a cultural shift in what ‘old age’ may mean, by providing older people with new roles. The initiative “Age-Friendly Cities and Communities”, which was launched by the WHO in 2007, was developed with the aim of applying this paradigm into practice at the local level. Its purpose was to promote a movement of citizen participation where older people have a leading role as generators of well-being, and tackling the barriers of Active Aging. This paper provides a theoretical reflection concerning the development of the concept of Active Aging and how this has led to new ways of active citizenship in later life. New generations of older people demand a space where they can develop and contribute to society, regardless of their age. The aging of the population poses challenges and opportunities, which we can and must take advantage of in order to build a better and more egalitarian society, one that recognizes the value of diversity.

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