Active Aging through Later Life and Afterlife Planning: Shūkatsu in a Super-Aged Japan

In Japan, the term shūkatsu—referred as the planning for later life and for the afterlife—has gained popularity due to high amount of mass media exposure in recent years. This paper examines shūkatsu from the active aging framework, contending that shūkatsu is an important activity that contributes to active aging, as the process of conscientious planning encourages older Japanese people to remain active. Data for this study were obtained from qualitative interviews that were conducted with 40 older middle-class Japanese citizens residing in Nagoya. Explored through a life course perspective, the study examined how salient factors, such as personal history, experiences, roles, anxieties, life-changing events, and cultural practices, have influenced older Japanese people in their shūkatsu decision-making process. In the process of understanding how the Japanese respond to changing family relationships and sociocultural transformations, the emphasis on living a “good old age” for better social, psychological, and physical well-being strongly reflects the agency to age actively. In a super-aged Japan, shūkatsu may be a vital strategy that not only ensures a better quality of life for the older population and their children, but it also contributes to individual’s sense of usefulness and satisfaction, as they are actively involved in the planning and management of their own later and afterlife choices.

Active Aging and Public Health: Evidence, Implications, and Opportunities

By 2050, 20% of the world's population will be over the age of 65 years, with projections that 80% of older adults will be living in low- to middle-income countries. Physical inactivity and sedentary time are particularly high in older adults, presenting unique public health challenges. In this article, we first review evidence that points to multiple beneficial outcomes of active aging, including better physical function, cognitive function, mental health, social health, and sleep and suggest the need to shift the research focus from chronic disease outcomes to more relevant outcomes that affect independence and quality of life. Second, we review the critical role of age-friendly environments in facilitating active aging equitably across different countries and cultures. Finally, we consider emerging opportunities related to social engagement and technology-enabled mobility that can facilitate active aging. In all these contexts, it is a priority to understand and address diversity within the global aging population. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Public Health, Volume 43 is April 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

Factors associated with active aging in Chinese elderly in rural areas of Xiangtan County, China†

Objectives To explore the level of active aging and correlates among rural elderly in Xiangtan County, China. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted from July to November 2019. A total of 945 rural elderly from 3 towns in Xiangtan County, China, were investigated by using the positive aging evaluation questionnaire (PAEQ), the activity of daily living scale (ADL), and the depression in old-age scale (DIA-S). Results The average score in the PAEQ among the rural elderly of Xiangtan County was 72.81 (range = 21–105). A moderate negative correlation was found between the score in the PAEQ and those in the ADL (r = −0.361) and DIA-S (r = −0.495). Symptoms of depression (β: −0.321, P = 0.001), number of chronic diseases (β: −0.281, P = 0.001), subjective economic status (β: 0.239, P = 0.001), ADL (β: −0.196, P = 0.001), education (β: 0.126, P = 0.001), number of children (β: 0.097, P = 0.001), and marital status (β: −0.060, P = 0.001) were significantly associated with levels of active aging in rural elderly, whereas gender and age were not independently related to active aging. Conclusions The level of active aging is at a moderately high level in the Chinese elderly in rural areas in Xiangtan County. The focus group of active aging in rural areas should be elderly people suffering from chronic diseases, physical decline, poor education and economic conditions, childlessness, and those without partners.

Policy Implications of the Active Aging Framework in Poland

Poland's relatively young population in the past, is aging rapidly, which provokes a growing interest in the realisation of the older population's potential within the framework of the concept of active ageing. From 2012, when the first Governmental Program on Social Participation (ASOS 2012-2013) was introduced, the active aging framework remains one of the dominant strategies in developing and implementing social policies for the older generation. In the current paper, the focus is made on the employment and social participation of older citizens policies, showing the considerable gap in the prioritisation and hence in the outcomes, highlighted both by Active Ageing Index (AAI) indicators and more in-depth analysis. We will discuss the perceived risks and pitfalls of the current long-term ageing policy approach in Poland and provide recommendations for improvement.

Social Isolation and Aging Out of Place Among Immigrants and Refugee Seniors in Canada

Immigrant and refugee seniors experience cultural barriers, discrimination, and limited networks which increase the risk of social isolation and thus hinder their active participation in the society. This paper explores social isolation among immigrant and refugee seniors in Canada based on an environmental scan of federal/provincial/territorial and community-based programs and a systematic scoping review. Findings revealed important gaps and regional disparities in opportuntiies to reduce social isolation and great active participation. Research was limited, often qualitative in nature, typically based on larger urban centres, with measurement issues related to the need for consideration beyond one's living arrangements. The results highlight the need for greater understanding Canada’s immigration and refugee system and policies, and collaboration across levels of government. Reducing issues of social isolation and enabling better active aging for vulnerable seniors require a more nuanced and multidimensional conceptualization with prioritization on addressing the unique factors of culture and geographical context.

How Active Aging Policies Evolved in Italy? A Systematic Review of National and Regional Policies

In recent years, active aging became a concept progressively considered by policy makers in Italy. A national project for creating a multilevel and co-managed coordination of active aging policies was launched in 2019 by the Italian Government and the National Institute of Health and Science on Ageing (IRCCS INRCA). A systematic review of active aging policies was conducted at both national and regional level. Results showed that national policies still reflect the general categorical fragmentation of Italian welfare system, although substantial developments were found in some sectors, i.e. prolonging working life, supporting families, social inclusion, and healthy ageing. Ten out of twenty-one regions have approved laws dedicated to active aging, although in most cases these laws are too recent to show impact. National and regional policy makers still need to overcome several cultural, coordination and fragmentation challenges for improving active aging policies and harmonise them with societal needs.