scholarly journals Revisiting Happiness and Well-Being in Later Life from Interdisciplinary Age-Studies Perspectives

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 94
Author(s):  
Ieva Stončikaitė
Keyword(s):  
Old Age ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Successful Ageing ◽  
New Ideas ◽  
Demographic Shifts ◽  
Age Studies

Important demographic shifts and the so-called ‘longevity revolution’ have generated profound transformations in social interpretations of old age, an increased interest in age studies and new ideas on how to age well. The majority of current successful ageing models, however, represent rather a prevailing construct in Western societies. Physical and psychosocial well-being and the ability to adjust to the ideals of successful ageing are often seen as an integral part of a good quality in life. Those who do not or cannot follow these lines are often regarded as morally irresponsible and seem to be doomed to have a lonely, unhealthy and unhappy later life. This paper questions the current discourses of successful ageing in terms of healthy and happy living and calls for a reconsideration of more global, integrated and holistic understandings of the process of growing old.

scholarly journals COMPOSITE MEASURES FOR MULTIDIMENSIONAL SOCIAL EXCLUSION: AN APPLICATION TO THE IRISH LONGITUDINAL STUDY ON AGEING

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S803-S803
Author(s):  
Sinead Keogh ◽  
Stephen O’ Neill ◽  
Kieran Walsh
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Social Exclusion ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Measurement Techniques ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Composite Measure ◽  
Machine Learning Approach ◽  
Linear Aggregation

Abstract The measurement of the complex, multidimensional and dynamic concept of old-age social exclusion has been constrained due to theoretical and methodological challenges as well as a reliance on secondary data sources not designed to collect social exclusion indicators. Limitations in measuring social exclusion in later life hinder the expansion of our empirical and conceptual understanding of social exclusion. In this paper, we seek to address these limitations by developing a composite measure of old-age social exclusion using three methods: 1) normalisation through re-scaling with linear aggregation, 2) a sum-of-scores approach with an applied threshold and, 3) classification and regression trees (CART), a machine learning approach. Using the conceptual framework of old-age exclusion presented by Walsh et al., (2017), these three approaches are applied empirically with data from Wave 1 of The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA). The measures are assessed in terms of their ability to explain a validated measure of psychological well-being. Results suggest that despite the challenges associated with secondary data and measurement techniques that implicitly measure social exclusion, the newly proposed composite measure computed using CART performed better than the other two measures which are more prevalent in the literature.

5. Positive and successful ageing

2016 ◽  
pp. 87-101
Author(s):  
Nancy A. Pachana
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Policy ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Lifestyle Factors ◽  
Successful Ageing ◽  
Policy Frameworks ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Health And Well Being

‘Positive and successful ageing’ examines how, as a society, we can promote positive and successful ageing in terms of physical, mental, and social well-being in later life. It addresses current findings and directions in research, interventions, and social policy, which have focused more strongly on health and well-being, rather than disease and disability, in the last few decades. Attention is paid to the contributions of the environment, lifestyle factors, meaning and engagement in life, resilience, and wisdom that support a successful move through the latter stages of life. Successful ageing is now the subject of policy frameworks, lifespan theories of development, and actions—large and small—affecting older adults globally.

scholarly journals BEING RESPECTED AND ADMIRED IN OLD AGE: DYNAMICS OF SOCIAL STATUS AND AGING

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S728-S729
Author(s):  
David Weiss ◽  
Jennifer A Bellingtier ◽  
Manfred Diehl
Keyword(s):  
Social Status ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Subjective Age ◽  
Cultural Perspective ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Age Attitudes

Abstract Social status - the standing of a person or group in the social hierarchy - is part and parcel of social life and a significant determinant of cognition and behavior. Status hierarchies are basis of virtually all human and primate societies and assign different roles and privileges to its members. However, the dynamic nature of social status and the underlying mechanisms in old age are not well understood. Therefore, this symposium addresses questions of how social status is influenced by aging-related changes in roles, life events, self-concept, and images of aging and how social status shapes in response personality, subjective age, prosocial behavior, performance, and well-being in old age. Bellingtier and colleagues examined objective and subjective social status and their connections to subjective age, attitudes towards aging, and awareness of age-related changes. Zhang shows paradoxical association between aging stereotypes and prosocial behaviors toward older adults. Barber and Hamel investigated how stereotypes of reduced physical competence in old age affect the gait performance on easy and difficult tasks. Weiss and colleagues take a cross-cultural perspective on the different sources of social status in China, Germany, and the US showing that generations in contrast to age groups represent a source of high social status in later life. Finally, Kornadt investigates the dynamic interplay of changes in social roles and personality in old age. Together, these presentations enlarge our understanding of the dynamics of social status in old age.

Connecting Ethnicity, Agency and Ageing

2003 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 165-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon Wray
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Cultural Differences ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Ethnic Diversity ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Successful Ageing ◽  
Culturally Specific ◽  
Personal Power ◽  
Time Space ◽  
Sociological Approaches

The experience of growing older in Britain is ethnically and culturally differentiated. Yet, mainstream gerontological and sociological approaches to ageing have failed to examine, in any detail, the interconnections between agency, ageing and ethnic diversity. This means that theories of ageing often exclude experiences outside the ‘traditional’ domain. Here, traditional includes those theories of ageing that have relied on western (British/American) concepts to measure personal power and fulfillment in later life. Yet, the meanings attached to agency, empowerment, autonomy and independence vary in relation to the specificities of time, space and culture. Despite this, western culturally specific concepts tend to underpin the notion of ‘successful ageing’. This paper questions both the effect this has on how agency and empowerment are theorised and the extent to which some experiences are excluded by definition. It presents findings from an ESRC qualitative research project on womenís experiences of agency and dis/empowerment in later life across ethnic diversity. There were differences, for instance, in the timing of old age, what constituted control and agency and womenís relationship with their bodies, as they grew older. The paper considers the extent to which current gerontological and sociological theories and concepts of ageing adequately represent ethnic and cultural differences in what it means to grow older.

scholarly journals Dinacharya: The Essential Daily Routine for Geriatric Care

AYUSHDHARA ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 3581-3584
Author(s):  
Priya Pathak
Keyword(s):  
Old Age ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
The Body ◽  
Daily Routine ◽  
External Appearance ◽  
Functional Changes ◽  
Happy Life ◽  
National Statistical Office

The term Geriatrics is made by union of two Greek word first ‘geras’ (old age) and second ‘iatros’ (physician) and derived from Greek root “gergero- geronto” meaning old age or the aged or especially one receiving special care. Geriatrics is the branch of medicine that focuses on health promotion and prevention and treatment of disease and disability in later life. In India population of the elderly has been increasing steadily since 1961 as it touched 13.8 crore in 2021, growing faster due to decrease in death rate, according to a study by National Statistical Office (NSO). Ageing is the process in which structural and functional changes occur with passage of time. Thus study of all aspects of ageing including physiological, pathological, psychological, economical and sociological problems is termed as Geriatrics. With advancing age, several changes take place in the body, in the external appearance as well as in Dosha, Dhatu, Mala, Agni, Oja level, also on the mental functions. In Ayurvedic texts, there are many ways given for prevention and promotion of health, one of them is Dinacharya (daily regimen), which is most important part to maintain a healthy and happy life. The importance of appropriate daily routine cannot be underestimated. It set the wheels in motion for entire day, bringing a sense of calm and well-being. It gives the body, mind and spirit the chance to start afresh.

scholarly journals Old Age and Radical History

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (139) ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Amanda Ciafone ◽  
Devin McGeehan Muchmore
Keyword(s):  
Old Age ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Contemporary History ◽  
Critical Gerontology ◽  
Linked Lives ◽  
History Of ◽  
Radical History ◽  
History Of Old Age ◽  
Age Studies ◽  
Universal Stage

Abstract This essay introduces readers to key themes in critical gerontology and age studies and asserts their centrality to contemporary history and politics. Age scholars and critical gerontologists push back against perspectives that individualize and medicalize old age as a natural or universal stage in a singular life course explained solely by biology, psychology, or personal choices. Instead, they challenge us to see contemporary life stages and even chronological age itself as historically and culturally specific structures. The contributions in this issue demonstrate the power of this approach, exploring histories of later life in the context of slave societies, retirement, social movements, and gendered embodiment. Together, contributors model a radical history of old age that centers power, historical struggle, and linked lives.

scholarly journals Aging: well being and development in elderly

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 434-437
Author(s):  
Pallavi ◽  
Tulika Borah
Keyword(s):  
Old Age ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Network Characteristics ◽  
Aging Well

The aim of the present study is to introduce the well- being and aging development during old age. In old age peoples are not more productive as in early stage of life. They need others support for doing some activities. Sometimes they feel stressed and depressed about that. The current study indicated that physical condition of old age person, sociodemographic factors, social network characteristics, and activity level all seem to affect subjective well-being in later life. In the present study discuss several different forms of well-being that play a vital role in the lives of elderly and it helps them to live longer and safer.

Housing and Health in Later Life

2004 ◽  
Vol 19 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 223-252
Author(s):  
Frank Oswald ◽  
Hans-Werner Wahl
Keyword(s):  
Old Age ◽  
Functional Limitations ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Environmental Indicators ◽  
Control Beliefs ◽  
Housing Type ◽  
Neighborhood Conditions ◽  
Health Related

Abstract The goal of this paper is to compile recent data on the housing and health in old age, with special emphasis on geropsychological and gerontological studies. The authors first introduce their understanding of both housing and health. Second, theoretical models that are important to understand better the relation between housing- and health-related outcomes are incorporated into an analytic scheme. Third, data on objective and subjective aspects of housing in old age in relation to healthrelated outcomes are presented. Among the objective functional housing aspects are healthrelevant micro-environmental indicators like housing hazards and amenities, retrofitting and assistive devices, as well as meso- and macroenvironmental indicators like housing type, neighborhood conditions, or urban-rural differences. Relocation is a classic field in environmental gerontology in which drastic environmental change has been linked to health outcomes. Among subjective housing aspects are residential satisfaction, housing-related control beliefs, and meaning of home. Direct health-related outcomes, such as physical and mental diseases and functional limitations, as well as indirect health-related outcomes like satisfaction or well-being receive attention. We conclude with a discussion addressing the environment and health dynamics of aging in the future.

scholarly journals Envisioning Yoga Therapy as A Stride towards Successful Ageing

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 25
Author(s):  
K K Boban ◽  
A Shahin Sultana ◽  
Susheela Gopinath
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Experimental Study ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Practical Philosophy ◽  
Contemporary Society ◽  
Successful Ageing ◽  
Yoga Therapy

Geriatric Social Work is becoming ostensibly crucial in contemporary times. The modes and modalities being discussed in strengthening geriatric well-being deserve mammoth attention. In this context, Yoga Therapy is being envisioned as one among the strides towards Successful Ageing. The practice of Yoga in India can be traced to thousands of years back and has rolled down to generations through innumerable strategies. Yoga is considered as a practical philosophy that facilitates people to improve their Quality of Life. It is a discipline that has evolved in response to the problems in contemporary society without losing its true essence. Research in the field of Yoga Therapy advocates it to be the best means to ensure the quality living, especially in old age. Yoga helps to mitigate, alleviate, and reverse many of the geriatric problems, both physical and mental. The proposed paper is based on an experimental study conducted among elderly people in Kerala. The paper describes Yoga in its essence based on Patanjaly Yoga Sutra thereby scientifically analyzing its effect on our body. It emphasizes the practicality for quality living in old age and provides suggestions for successful ageing.Keywords: Successful Ageing, Yoga therapy, Patanjaly yoga sutra, Quality of life 

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document