scholarly journals “With Friends Like These”: Unpacking Panicked Metaphors for Population Ageing

Societies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 69
Author(s):  
Sally Chivers
Keyword(s):  
Life Experience ◽  
Population Ageing ◽  
World Health ◽  
Active Ageing ◽  
Close Reading ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Global Age ◽  
The World ◽  
Individual Actions ◽  
Age Studies

Age studies scholars have long noted problems with using a tsunami metaphor to describe population ageing. Age-friendly offers a new way to respond to an increase in older adults. Though critical gerontologists identify the related movement’s limits, “age-friendly” itself is rarely recognized as a metaphor. This paper proposes that, while the metaphor of age-friendly is more benign than that of the tsunami, it still portrays an ageing population as a homogenous problem to be solved through morally obligatory individual actions, thereby participating in a form of age panic. The analysis draws on a humanities-based close reading of the World Health Organization’s 2007 “Global Age-Friendly Cities: A Guide.” The method uncovers attitudes that anchor the metaphor and hamper the movement’s effectiveness, particularly when trying to reach people who have not already been well served all their lives. The emphasis on a narrow version of active ageing feeds a neoliberal imagination that affects how value is assigned to an ageing population. That underlying emphasis needs to shift before new metaphors, policies and practices for population ageing—that allow for the variability and uniqueness of late-life experience—can take hold. How might we reconceptualize the ageing population if we focus on contributions and meaning instead?

scholarly journals The global challenge of ageing population – Part I: Definitions, epidemiology and physiological changes

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Sammy ◽  
Joanne Paul
Keyword(s):  
Developing World ◽  
Population Ageing ◽  
World Health ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Physiological Changes ◽  
Electronic Search ◽  
Study Results ◽  
The World ◽  
Epidemiological Characteristics ◽  
The Impact

Background & Objectives Over the past 50 years, epidemiological data from the World Health Organisation has demonstrated a trend towards population ageing throughout the world. While this is widely recognised in the developed world, the phenomenon has been largely overlooked in the developing world, despite the fact that the rate of ageing in developing countries far outstrips that of developed countries. This global trend towards an increasingly older society has significant implications for healthcare. This article aims to review the definitions of ageing, its epidemiological characteristics and physiological changes associated with ageing. Methods A narrative review of the literature was undertaken using Medline, CINAHL and the Cochrane Database, supplemented by manual searches of the literature, and guided by the reference lists of relevant papers identified in the electronic search. No restriction was placed on the type of paper to be included in the study. Results The initial electronic search of the three databases included 239 papers, of which 60 were found to be relevant and included in this review. These articles discussed the epidemiology and definition of ageing, the physiology of ageing and its impact on health and illness, and the implications for health services. The overall findings of the studies implicate the clear differences in the physiology of older people, which do create specific challenges for health service provision. Conclusion Population ageing is a significant global phenomenon, affecting both developed and developing regions of the world. More work is needed, particularly in the developing world, to better understand the impact of ageing on our population.

scholarly journals The global challenge of ageing population – Part II: the impact on health services, and the optimum healthcare strategy for older patients

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Sammy ◽  
Joanne Paul ◽  
Arvind Ramnarine ◽  
Joseph Ramdhanie
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Acute Care ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Population Ageing ◽  
World Health ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Electronic Search ◽  
Study Results ◽  
The World ◽  
The Impact

Objectives: Analysis of data from the World Health Organization over the past 50 years, has demonstrated a transition towards population ageing globally. This has a significant impact on acute care services as well as on the approach to patient care in the acute setting. Methods: A narrative review of the literature was undertaken using Medline, CINAHL and the Cochrane Database, supplemented by manual searches of the literature, and further guided by the reference lists of relevant papers identified in the electronic search. No restriction was placed on the type of paper to be included in the study. Results: The initial electronic search of the three databases included 239 papers, of which 87 were found to be relevant and included in this review. Among the papers included were those which described the unique challenges posed by the ageing population, proposed modifications to the delivery of health services and recommended adaptations in the approach to older patients in the acute care setting. Conclusion: Population ageing is a significant global phenomenon, affecting both developed and developing regions of the world. More work is needed, particularly in the developing world, to better understand the impact of ageing on our population.

scholarly journals Active Ageing: Mapping of Scientific Coverage

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. 2727 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Álvarez-García ◽  
Amador Durán-Sánchez ◽  
María del Río-Rama ◽  
Diego García-Vélez
Keyword(s):  
The Elderly ◽  
Population Ageing ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
World Health ◽  
Active Ageing ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Scientific Journals ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Health Organization

Population ageing is one of humanity’s greatest achievements with the elderly who offer valuable resources and make an important contribution to the structure of our societies. At the same time, this ageing population poses great challenges, as it requires greater economic and social needs. Institutions such as the World Health Organization (WHO) are promoting policies that aim at promoting active ageing, which is understood as the process of optimizing health, participation and security opportunities in order to improve people’s quality of life as they get older. The main objective of this study is to identify scientific production related to the area of Active Ageing. The work methodology used is the bibliometric analysis of the articles indexed in the multidisciplinary databases WoS and Scopus. There were 171 articles in WoS and 234 in Scopus that were selected, with a time limit in 2017. In the analysis carried out it is observed that active ageing is a topic that has aroused interest among researchers in recent years, proof of this is the increase both in the number of articles published in scientific journals and in the citations received. The Scopus database presents a greater coverage of the subject. The Overlap Index shows that Scopus covers 90.06% of the WoS articles and its Single Documents index is 34.19% versus 9.94% of WoS.

scholarly journals MAKING THE AGING EXPERIENCE WORTHWHILE: HOW SOCIAL INTERACTION CONTRIBUTES TO ACTIVE AGING

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S533-S533
Author(s):  
Daniel Doh ◽  
Kwadwo Adusei-Asante ◽  
Vicki Banham
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Older People ◽  
Policy Research ◽  
World Health ◽  
Active Ageing ◽  
Country Level ◽  
The World ◽  
The Individual

Abstract In most parts of the world, people are now living longer lives, which presents both opportunities and concerns over how to make the ageing process a worthwhile experience. The World Health Organisation’s Active Ageing model became a prominent global policy response since 2002 and has evolved into different country-level ageing policies. While a considerable volume of literature exists on active ageing – testing the validity of its various components, there is limited empirical evidence of how social interaction contributes to active ageing for older people and how it can be promoted through policy. In this paper, we examine social interaction and how it contributes to lived experiences of active ageing among a sample of 30 older Ghanaians living in Australia and Ghana. Our findings confirm the significance of social interaction for active ageing, and shows that social interaction creates a sense of purpose for living, which leads to the ability of the individual to build resilience, which mitigates anxieties and pains associated with ill health (especially for frail older people); enhances self-motivation for play and fun; empowers the individual to explore opportunities for continuous activity including leisure, and improves the general feeling of happiness resulting in active ageing – quality of life. The paper’s main argument is that social interaction presents potentials for improving the quality of life (active ageing) for older people and needs to be carefully considered in policy, research and practice.

scholarly journals ‘You really do become invisible’: examining older adults’ right to the city in the United Kingdom

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Deborah Menezes ◽  
Ryan Woolrych ◽  
Judith Sixsmith ◽  
Meiko Makita ◽  
Harry Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Urban Space ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
World Health ◽  
Active Ageing ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
The City ◽  
Rights To The City

Abstract A global ageing population presents opportunities and challenges to designing urban environments that support ageing in place. The World Health Organization's Global Age-Friendly Cities movement has identified the need to develop communities that optimise health, participation and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age. Ensuring that age-friendly urban environments create the conditions for active ageing requires cities and communities to support older adults’ rights to access and move around the city (‘appropriation’) and for them to be actively involved in the transformation (‘making and remaking’) of the city. These opportunities raise important questions: What are older adults’ everyday experiences in exercising their rights to the city? What are the challenges and opportunities in supporting a rights to the city approach? How can the delivery of age-friendly cities support rights to the city for older adults? This paper aims to respond to these questions by examining the lived experiences of older adults across three cities and nine neighbourhoods in the United Kingdom. Drawing on 104 semi-structured interviews with older adults between the ages of 51 and 94, the discussion centres on the themes of: right to use urban space; respect and visibility; and the right to participate in planning and decision-making. These themes are illustrated as areas in which older adults’ rights to access and shape urban environments need to be addressed, along with recommendations for age-friendly cities that support a rights-based approach.

scholarly journals Video Game’s design Implications to promote moderate activity in seniors

2020 ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Raymundo Cornejo ◽  
Oscar Ordoñez ◽  
Alain Manzo ◽  
Adrián Alarcón ◽  
Luis Gaxiola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Joint Angle ◽  
World Health ◽  
Physical Activation ◽  
Moderate Activity ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Improve Health

Researchers and different efforts have identified several social, health, financial challenges, among others, with ageing population. Regarding health challenges, the World Health Organization encourages physical activation programs to promote healthy ageing. These programs aim to alleviate imminent musculoskeletal deterioration, or injuries that may occur. Severely increased deteriorations may affect older adults’ movement patterns, affecting their autonomy, control, or force. The only way to reduce this deterioration is through physical activation. Therefore, medical gerontology considers physical activity as one of the best tools to improve health and prevent many diseases. Within HCI, research has evaluated exergames as an alternative to engage older adults in physical activation. Exergames have become the technological focus of physical activity, stimulating physical activity through play and competition. However, it is unclear how to maximize these benefits. In this paper we present a set of design implications to improve inter-joint angle for older adults, and maximize activity with its precautions.

Emerging evolution trends of studies on age-friendly cities and communities: a scientometric review

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-31
Author(s):  
Liqun Xiang ◽  
Geoffrey Q. P. Shen ◽  
Yongtao Tan ◽  
Xuan Liu
Keyword(s):  
Large Volume ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Population Ageing ◽  
World Health ◽  
Citation Networks ◽  
Comprehensive Review ◽  
The Past ◽  
The World ◽  
Urban And Rural Areas ◽  
Global Population

Abstract Population ageing, together with urbanisation, has become one of the greatest challenges throughout the world in the 21st century. Approximately one million people turn 60 each month worldwide. By 2050, more than 20 per cent of the global population is predicted to be 60 years old or above. Thus, an increasing need is evident for age-friendly communities, services and structures. Numerous studies on age-friendly cities and communities (AFCCs) have been conducted over the past decade. The large volume literature makes it necessary to figure out key areas and the evolution trends of studies on AFCCs. Therefore, this paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of existing literature pertaining to AFCCs. A total of 231 collected publications are analysed and visualised by CiteSpace. According to the keywords and document co-citation networks that are generated, the foundation, hot topics and domains of AFCC research are grouped. Three major themes, namely the characteristics of AFCCs, the application of the World Health Organization's framework in urban and rural areas worldwide, and the measurement of cities’ and communities’ age-friendliness, are identified. In addition, a roadmap of AFCC research is developed. The results of this research will therefore benefit researchers and practitioners.

scholarly journals Introduction

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Aljurf ◽  
Navneet S. Majhail ◽  
Mickey B. C. Koh ◽  
Mohamed A. Kharfan-Dabaja ◽  
Nelson J. Chao
Keyword(s):  
World Health ◽  
International Agency ◽  
Cancer Death ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Death Rates ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Global Age ◽  
The World ◽  
Significant Public Health ◽  
Health Organization

AbstractCancer is a growing healthcare problem worldwide with significant public health and economic burden to both developed and developing countries. According to the World Health Organization, cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, with an estimated 20 million new cancer cases and 10 million cancer deaths in 2020. The International Agency for Cancer Research (IARC) estimates that globally one in five people will develop cancer in their lifetime. Low- and middle-income countries have been disproportionately affected by the rise of cancer incidence and account for approximately 70% of global cancer deaths. At the same time, substantial innovations in screening, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer have improved patient outcomes; global age-standardized cancer death rates showed a 17% decline from 1990 to 2016.

scholarly journals Study on the European framework for the application of the active ageing index

2021 ◽  
Vol 342 ◽  
pp. 10001
Author(s):  
Gianina Chirugu ◽  
Felicia Andrioni
Keyword(s):  
Social Life ◽  
Document Analysis ◽  
Active Ageing ◽  
Analysis Tool ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Continuous Growth ◽  
European Area ◽  
The World

The challenges associated with the ageing population are important and continuous growth across the world, especially in Europe, the continent with the oldest population. The fundamental objective of active ageing interventions is to optimise opportunities for health, participation and security so as to increase the quality of life of the population with ageing. The Active Ageing Index is a flexible comparative analysis tool that has the mission to help promote and implement active ageing. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to analyse the phenomenon of active ageing from the perspective of the active ageing index in the European area. The methodology used consisted of document analysis, study for several countries in the European space such as: Italy, Germany, Poland, Spain, Romania, analysis and comparison of statistic data. The results obtained show that the role of this active ageing index is to capture the various facets of active ageing, measuring the contribution of older people (women and men) to economic and social life and to the extent to which the environment in which they live stimulates them in this regard to provide more active participation in employment, social life and to lead independent lives.

Is Dementia Becoming a Global Health Concern?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjana Anand ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Global Health ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Memory Loss ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Brain Functions ◽  
The World ◽  
Challenge And Threat ◽  
The Individual

Dementia, a collective term used to characterize a group of conditions such as memory loss and the deterioration of problem-solving abilities, is caused by the impairment of brain functions, and is becoming increasingly prevalent around the world. The World Health Alzheimer’s Report estimates that the number of dementia cases “will increase with an ageing population and will reach 66 million by the year 2030 and 115 million by 2050” (Wortmann, 2012). Currently, there are 35.6 million people that have dementia, and it is stressful for both the individual affected and those who care for them. It also has an enormous economic and psychological impact on these people, and in many countries, there are not sufficient efforts taken to spread awareness about dementia (WHO). Dementia has devastating consequences and is becoming a serious challenge and threat to global health.

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