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This study considers older adults providing multiple types of support toward different parties in both public and private domains, referred to as 'multi-helpers'. Although individuals involved in multiple help-giving activities can be important actors at individual, community, and societal levels, few studies have evaluated their characteristics. Using population-based data for older Finns (n = 2,174) we explored the profiles of multi-helpers for provision of: (1) instrumental help to friends and relatives; (2) financial aid to friends and relatives; (3) volunteering; and (4) charitable giving. Of the respondents, 75% provided instrumental help, 44% provided financial aid, 21% participated in volunteering, and 58% made charitable donations. Overall, 7% were considered multi-helpers, as they were engaged in providing all four types of support. Having a partner, being a widow, having a higher level of education, living in rural area, being religious, and having a larger number of friends increased the probability of being a multi-helper. The findings are interpreted in light of opportunity structures and role extension approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Volunteerism among older adults has been actively encouraged and adopted as a policy measure among developed countries in view of its benefits and impact on the wellbeing of the elderly. However, there is a paucity of research related to the same effort in Asia even though this region is projected to have the fastest-growing ageing population by the year 2050. Utilising the eight determinants of active ageing as posited by WHO Active Ageing Policy Framework, this paper aimed to identify emerging themes in the existing literature grounded upon older adults’ recent volunteering policies and practices in Asia. A systematic review was performed to explore the literature on older adults’ volunteerism in peer-reviewed journals published in the past decade in two main databases (Scopus and Web of Science). The findings identified from the 19 articles were analysed according to the following themes: (1) culture, (2) gender, (3) behavioural determinants, (4) personal determinants, (5) physical environment, (6) social determinants, (7) economic factors, and (8) health and social services. From the review, behavioural, personal and social environment determinants appeared to be the focal point of active ageing research agenda. A robust and strategic collaboration between policymakers and volunteering stakeholders is key to amplify older adults’ volunteer efforts in line with successful active ageing in Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: As the global demographic shifts towards an ageing population, the significance of the built environment in facilitating ageing in place gains prominence. This study addresses the critical question of how a built environment can support older adults' independence and enhance their quality of life. Method: Utilising a systematic review of review papers, this research scrutinises existing literature to uncover the influence of urban planning, physical accessibility, and residential design on the older people's physical and mental well-being. More specially, the study methodically examines existing review articles that span various aspects of the built environment related to ageing in place. Results: The analysis reveals that specific elements of the built environment, notably rational urban planning and accessible urban spaces, as well as adaptable housing designs, significantly impact ageing individuals' health, social engagement, and overall satisfaction with life. It also identifies contradictions in the effects of environmental features on cognitive health and well-being, underscoring areas that warrant further exploration. Conclusions: The study concludes that thoughtful urban and housing designs are pivotal in creating age-friendly environments that support ageing in place. It emphasises the need for future research and policy development aimed at enhancing the living conditions of older adults within their communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Ageing has become one of the major global public issues and active ageing has become a global goal. Accurate and reproducible assessment tools are a prerequisite for robust and reliable measurement of active ageing and policy formulation. However, a broad scoping review describing the characteristics and heterogeneity of assessment tools for active ageing is lacking. This study aims to comprehensively portray current active ageing assessment tools and their features. Methods: We conducted a scoping review, focusing on the Active Ageing Assessment Tool, and searched seven databases: CNKI, WanFang, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, Medline, and Proquest. The research process adhered to the methodological framework of Arkey and O'Malley and the PRISMA-ScR specification. More so, we registered the research program with the Open Science Framework. Results: Ultimately, we included twenty-two pieces of literature. The development of the active ageing assessment tool predominantly occurred between 2012 and 2023, with a focus on foreign countries (16 studies). All included literature presented multidimensional Active ageing assessment tools. Eighteen studies examined active ageing assessment tools at the macro level, while four studies focused on the individual level. Also, fourteen out of the twenty-two studies were based on the World Health Organization's Theoretical Framework for Active Ageing. The literature contained only two active ageing assessment tools designed for specific subgroups of older people. Conclusion: Future development of active ageing assessment tools should integrate more comprehensive concepts and social theories of active ageing. Additionally, there is a need to explore active ageing measurement tools tailored for diverse subgroups of the older adults at various levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, there has been a rapid increase in research on active ageing. However, it is un-derstood that more effort needs to be made to emphasize the critical effects of the studies on this subject in a scientific sense and to highlight the priority studies in the literature with modern visual and scientific mapping techniques. This study aims to identify future priority research topics and potential areas of collaboration by examining existing research on active ageing. In this context, the literature search results in the Web of Science database with the keywords “active ageing” and “active aging” are subjected to a bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer. VOSviewer is an up-to-date tool widely used for statistical analysis and visual representation in many disciplines. Types of publications, authors, countries, organizations, keywords and vari-ous scientific relationships related to active ageing constitute the study’s unit of analysis. In this direction, 2322 studies on active ageing were analyzed. In the distribution of the publication types of these studies, articles (n=1584), proceedings (n=351) and abstracts (n=178) have an essential place. When the distribution of studies according to years is analyzed, it is determined that scientific studies were conducted in 2022 (n=256), 2021 (n=253) and 2023 (n=208). Andrea Principi (n=20), Taina Rantanen (n=19), Erja Portegij (n=17) and Alan Walker (n=16) are the authors with the most studies. It was seen that the concept of active ageing was empha-sized in the publications and the keywords frequently used together were “active ageing”, “active aging”, “quality life”, “physical activity”, “healthy aging” and “well-being”.

Social isolation and loneliness greatly contribute to negative health consequences in older adults. Technological solutions can be an asset in promoting social connections and healthy behaviours. This paper presents an innovative structure for an Internet of Things (IoT) platform specifically tailored for older persons. The framework utilises a supervised learning algorithm to classify users into four identified profiles to facilitate the adoption and engagement of technology. The platform incorporates wearables, such as socks and smart bands, to track physical activity, and a messaging module to encourage social interaction. The platform processes the acquired data to quantify steps and deliver tailored interventions remotely to the older adults through the AGAPE Assistant, the mHealth solution of the platform. Furthermore, the AGAPE Assistant has a user interface design for older adults, with a focus on their specific needs. Additionally, improving digital literacy among older adults is crucial for maximizing the long-term compliance and benefits of such technological solutions. On the other hand, AGAPE Monitor is a web application used by formal caregivers to configure the tailored interventions. The platform's usability was assessed using different usability scale questionnaires, which revealed a mild level of user satisfaction and acceptance. The proposed framework is currently being deployed on more than 112 older adults across three countries: Italy, Romania, and Portugal. The proposed framework provides a holistic solution to encourage active ageing by adopting technology, implementing hybrid interventions, and promoting social interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of the smart health and elderly care industry responds to the growing demand for a better life for the elderly in the context of population aging, and integrates the development opportunities brought about by the development of modern science and technology and population aging to the transformation and upgrading of the industrial structure. Existing studies have fully affirmed the necessity of the development of smart health and elderly care industry. and put forward countermeasures and suggestions to promote the high-quality development of smart health and elderly care industry from different directions. However, on the whole, the analysis of the realistic scenario of the development of the smart health and elderly care industry needs to be further investigated, and the systematic and holistic study of the supply and demand of the smart health and elderly care industry needs to be further deepened. Based on the supply and demand analysis framework of the smart health and elderly careindustry, this paper analyzes the real demand and supply situation of the smart health and elderly care industry. It is found that the development of the smart health and elderly care industry is still in the primary stage. Supply dilemmas such as unbalanced and insufficient supply, improper connection of industry chain links, difficulty in crossing the digital divide of smart health and elderly care products, lack of professionals in smart health and elderly care services, and unsound coordination and cooperation mechanisms between the government and the market are still restricting the high-quality development of the smart health and elderly care industry. We propose high-quality supply countermeasures for the smart health and elderly care industry: set the supply according to the demand and improve the quality of industrial supply: integrate advantages and build a stable and efficient industrial chain: let the elderly enjoy smart services and promote the construction of digital accessibility: put talent first and solidify a high-quality professional team: make concerted efforts and promote a better combination of efficient market and effective government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many European countries want to overcome the early exit from labour market which was widespread since the 1970s through pension reform and labour policies. The extension of working life is hindered by factors that the literature overlooks. This article focuses on the discontinuity of the late‐career caused by unemployment. The aim is to investigate whether older workers are at risk of unemployment and what are the transitions after spells of unemployment. The labour market trajectories of workers over 50s in 11 European countries from 2006 to 2019 were analysed, specifically after the Great Recession and before the Covid‐19 epidemic. It is based on longitudinal survey data from the generated Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe Job Episodes Panel. Event history analysis and sequence analysis were performed. Older employees are unlikely to face unemployment. The transition rate highlights the difficulty for older workers into re‐employment. A low education level increases the risk of unemployment and remaining unemployed. Data by country confirm the trend towards overcoming the transition from unemployment to early exit. Divergences concern the higher risk of being trapped in unemployment in Southern European countries such as Greece and Italy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public open space is an essential component of support for active ageing in place, whilst in a high-density, high-rise housing context, it plays a more crucial role. The public health field has provided much research on the association between public open spaces and active ageing. However, changes to public open spaces during the Covid-19 crisis, including movement restriction, lockdown, social distancing and isolation, have a severe impact on the quality of life among the older group. This study examined the quality of life among older people living in densely populated districts during the COVID-19 pandemic by evaluating how changes to public open spaces due to pandemic prevention impeded active ageing, and further explored pandemic-resilient urban strategies. Macau, a densely populated ageing city, was selected for case study. Forty-five in-depth interviews were conducted in two high-density districts of Macau with the aim of understanding the perceptions and uses of public open spaces among older people during pandemic conditions. The results indicate that the active ageing process has been impacted to a large degree by prevention measures, particularly in regard to movement and accessibility, everyday activities, social interaction, and emotional health. It is difficult for denser urban spaces to effectively guarantee an active life for older people during the emergent crisis. However, older people' adaptive responses to pandemic conditions have reduced the negative impact on active ageing. Moreover, the active ageing principle is not applicable to all, since subjective well-being can be perceived and defined differently, and people have unique aging principles as they age. It is important to pay more attention to the well-being of older people by exploring pandemic-resilient strategies which would take into account both the target of active ageing and pandemic prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the ageing of global societies continues to accelerate, China is actively responding to population ageing through its national strategy, and the rise of new media has provided more opportunities for the realization of this strategy. With the support of new media platforms such as TikTok, elderly people have started an active ageing trend on the Internet. This research conducts a qualitative content analysis of the videos of the top 10 'grey-haired influencers' on the TikTok platform based on the theory of self-presentation, with a focus on their self-presentation in the new media era. Technological empowerment has facilitated the main narrative of grey-haired influencers, and they have transformed from being 'presented by others' to 'creating self-images'. The self-presentation strategies of grey-haired influencers encompass both adherence to and deviations from Goffman's theory. These strategies elicit diverse feedback from the audience, which prompts the grey-haired influencers to make further adjustments to their strategies and self-presentation. Ultimately, these influencers strive to create a meaningful space for older individuals, promote the development of a new grey-haired identity, and facilitate the dissemination of narratives about ageing among different age groups, thus fostering the practice of active ageing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Older adults in many developing nations move to care homes for reasons other than ill health, but the institutional routines, paired with the separation from families, may curtail their autonomy and choices, adversely affecting their active ageing prospects. This study introduced a novel social work intervention that targeted individual-level, personnel-level and institutional-level modifications to improve the active ageing prospects of institutionalised older adults. A total of 35 participants (16 males and 19 females) were recruited from seven care homes in Kerala, India. The active ageing status of the participants significantly improved after the intervention (137.77±45.1) compared to that before the intervention (128±44.2). The findings show that structural and personnel changes in the institution, combined with individual and family-level interventions, can improve the active ageing prospects of institutionalised older adults in developing nations, where institutionalisation is not always necessarily a consequence of ill health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Representations of older women in film and media have reiterated the negative stereotypes of age-induced incapacitation and loss of voice and agency. However, actor Zohra Sehgal, hailed as the "grand old lady of Bollywood", re-engages with the normative construct of the passive/submissive screen characterization of an older female. Sehgal's remarkable performances in The Jewel in the Crown (1984), Bhaji on the Beach (1993), and Bend It Like Beckham (2002) highlight the silenced realities of older women within the diasporic space in terms of desire, autonomy, and choice. In British cinema, where the subjectivities of South Asian older individuals (particularly women) were seldom acknowledged, Sehgal's on-screen presence challenged and overturned marginalization based on age and ethnicity. Through the paradigm of active/successful ageing, this article argues that the politics of gendered representation and ageing have been recontextualized in British Indian diasporic films to reflect on a positive embodiment of Indian older women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MyStoriesBag is a storytelling and game creation tool that aims to facilitate the sharing of cultural heritage by promoting a collaborative and participatory experience through user-generated content. The guided visual online editor allows users to actively create content and play the games they create. This emphasises the concept of sharing experiences, creating a sense of community, and strengthening the connection between users and their cultural heritage.

Background Fostering social participation for active and healthy ageing among older adults is an urgent issue in a changing society that requires new approaches from occupational therapists as well as from society at large.Aim To explore possibilities to foster social participation for older adults in society from the perspective of stakeholders.Material and methods A qualitative design was applied. 18 key informants, engaged in supporting older adults in their organisational roles as either professionals or volunteers, participated in five different focus groups discussions.Results The results involved two overarching themes that reflects different perspectives on key informants’ possibilities to foster social participation for older adults. The first theme describes how they direct their attention towards their roles within the organisations to foster social participation in their own context. The second theme describes the broader societal perspectives that they address to establish a common ground for collaboration and knowledge-sharing among different stakeholders.Conclusions The findings emphasise how addressing common challenges and developing collaboration are essential to foster older adults’ social participation. It is therefore necessary to involve policy-makers and decision-makers. Occupational therapists and researchers should consider the value of occupational justice to drive collective and social approaches.

Abstract Background While community-level interventions for promoting active ageing have received increasing attention and there is a trend to leverage technology to support traditional physical or social interventions, little hands-on guidance exists for designing these integral interventions. This study aimed to examine the interventions reported in the literature guided by Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) principles. The goal is to extract insights that inform future practices in co-designing integral interventions for active ageing. Methods The systematic review focused on community-level interventions promoting active ageing that integrated physical, social, and digital elements, i.e., integral interventions. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. The included interventions were analysed abductively based on the CBPR principles. Results A total of 13 studies were included, and 24 design considerations were generated under eight categories. Further reflection identified the interrelated nature of these design considerations and pinpointed the gaps in current research. This study highlights the urgency and importance of sharing recruitment methods and resource allocation details, recording and reporting collaboration specifics, and disseminating findings to stakeholders beyond academia. Conclusions This study offers valuable insights and practical guidance to researchers and practitioners developing community-level integral interventions for active ageing. The findings also serve as a starting point for accumulating knowledge and practice in co-designing integral interventions for active ageing at the community level. The next crucial phase involves evaluating these design considerations within real-world cases to assess their applicability and identify potential areas for improvement.

ABSTRACTBeing and remaining active is reported to be positively associated with healthy ageing, though many older adults are not as active as they would like to be. Low Traffic Neighbourhoods have been identified as a possible solution to traffic-related activity barriers. This study aimed to explore this possibility, and the potential for these methods to support active ageing. 20 older adults aged between 60 and 91 (80 per cent women) took part in focus groups across low and high traffic areas. Discussions centred on experiences of staying active and perceptions of low traffic measures for facilitating activity. Six participants then took part in walking interviews across two areas, which explored some of the barriers and enablers to staying active. Staying active was found to be particularly important, though many participants suggested that a number of environmental barriers prevent them from being as active as they would like to be, in line with previous research. Many struggled to recognise the potential of low traffic measures, suggesting that there is a lack of consideration for older people within the planning process, particularly those with mobility issues. Future studies should focus on those with mobility issues in order to explore range of needs.

Court sports like tennis are popular with older adults and important for maintaining physical and mental health. Footwear can influence player experience and injury risk in sports. Previous preliminary work using interviews and focus groups identified key themes regarding comfort (including cushioning), functionality (including a wide width) and choice (including appearance) that are important aspects of footwear for older adults. The purpose of this study was to explore the attitudes towards athletic footwear and the footwear features considered important in older adults playing court sports across the population. An online survey was conducted of older adults in the UK/Ireland who participated in court sports at least once a week. Questionnaire items included descriptive information on age, gender, playing level and sport played and Likert item questions regarding attitudes and important footwear features. Using a mixed methods approach, percentage agreement and importance was combined with qualitative comments. Comfort, appropriate grip, good cushioning and overall support were all important for over 95% of respondents. Width, durability and reducing the likelihood of injury were also important to over 80% of respondents. Around 20% of female participants agreed they had difficulty in purchasing sports shoes with their desired aesthetics compared to around 10% of male participants. Some women reported needing to buy men's shoes for adequate width, while 12% of respondents reported wearing non-specific footwear like running shoes, often for extra cushioning or to avoid foot pain, which could put them at greater risk of injuries such as ankle sprains. It would appear the athletic footwear industry in the UK/Ireland could do more to improve player comfort and safety of older adults in court sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While community-level interventions for promoting active ageing have received increasing attention and there is a trend to leverage technology to support traditional physical or social interventions, little hands-on guidance exists for designing these integral interventions. This study aimed to examine the interventions reported in the literature guided by Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) principles. The goal is to extract insights that inform future practices in co-designing integral interventions for active ageing. Methods: The systematic review focused on community-level interventions promoting active ageing that integrated physical, social, and digital elements, i.e., integral interventions. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. The included interventions were analysed abductively based on the CBPR principles. Results: A total of 13 studies were included, and 24 design considerations were generated under eight categories. Further reflection identified the interrelated nature of these design considerations and pinpointed the gaps in current research. This study highlights the urgency and importance of sharing recruitment methods and resource allocation details, recording and reporting collaboration specifics, and disseminating findings to stakeholders beyond academia. Conclusions: This study offers valuable insights and practical guidance to researchers and practitioners developing community-level integral interventions for active ageing. The findings also serve as a starting point for accumulating knowledge and practice in co-designing integral interventions for active ageing at the community level. The next crucial phase involves evaluating these design considerations within real-world cases to assess their applicability and identify potential areas for improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this article is to explore social inequity in palliative care in Denmark, a country that is seen as a stronghold of universal health care. Using data stemming from 2 years of research, we have selected two cases for analysis. They consist of palliative conversations with two quite different patients. Drawing on sociocultural class theory, we find that the conversations involve social exclusion processes due to discourses of active ageing. We find that one privileged patient performs in line with an entrepreneurial self and is supported by the nurse. The other, disadvantaged patient performs in a passive way, and the conversation mainly alleviates the disrespect he has experienced in healthcare encounters. We conclude that palliative care reinforces classifying practices and distinctions between "good" and "bad" patients, when active ageing becomes a dominant factor. We suggest improving the quality and sensitivity of medical training and call for increased reflexivity among professionals on the unequal situation of patients in order to reduce inequity in access to health care when close to death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prevalence of a probable cognitive deficit in older adults is associated with advanced age and degree of functional impairment. This fact has encouraged the search for non-pharmacological preventive interventions. We set out to evaluate the benefits of the use of specific training programs in everyday cognition on the cognitive functioning of older adults. Methods: For this purpose, we conducted a randomised controlled trial of two groups. In the experimental group we carried out an 'Everyday Cognition Training Program', and in the control group we carried out a 'Traditional Cognitive Training Program'. The study was divided into four phases. The interventions were carried out in 10 associations of older people. In each group, 20 sessions were conducted in each phase. Participants received a total of 80 sessions. Therefore, a total of 800 intervention sessions were conducted throughout the study. The ERFC Questionnaire was used to assess the intervention. Each participant performed eight assessments, two (initial and final) for each of the four stages. Results: The study had a final sample of 237 participants. The intervention group had significantly better scores on the ERFC (at P < 0.001) than the control group at both post-intervention and follow-up, except in the third stage of the study, where no significant differences were found after the intervention between the study groups. Conclusions: The main findings of this study indicate that the use of an Everyday Cognition Training Program presents greater benefits in the cognitive functioning in older adults than the use of a Traditional Cognitive Training Program. Clinical Trial Registration : ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04041999. Ageing involves changes in complex cognitive functions that result in a decline in autonomy and quality of life. Everyday cognition describes the capability to resolve complicated cognitive problems in one's daily life. Our research has identified the advantages of an intervention based on everyday cognition, as it predicts improvements in daily performance. These expected enhancements relate to everyday performance and not only to specified cognitive functions, thus suggesting their potential application in the routine activities of older individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Western welfare states are facing great challenges as they strive to optimise their health and social systems in response to the realities of an ageing population. Many countries put a stake on reablement services—short‐term rehabilitative interventions aiming to help older people regain functional capacity. To ensure a person‐centred approach and outcome measures, service providers are recommended to follow a protocol designed for the dual purpose. In this article, we explore how reablement staff perceive and work around these person‐centred assessment protocols. Departing from the perspective that standards never operate in isolation, but in social settings already infused with values and interests, we explore the various kinds of work involved in aligning the protocol with ongoing day‐to‐day assessment practices. The article demonstrates that professionals continuously engage in processes of tinkering to navigate between different values and concerns: they tinker with workflows (articulation work), with clients (identity transformation work) and with protocols (editing work). Exploring the different forms and intensity of tinkering enables us to discuss the practical and moral difficulties inherent in making assessment protocols workable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Active ageing (AA) is recognised as a concept leading to positive benefits for individuals and society; however, its operationalization at the policy level presents challenges. In particular, while AA implies the interplay between macro, meso, and micro levels, the topic of AA policy needs at the meso level is underresearched. In order to increase knowledge in this area, the present study investigated a total of 154 organisations through a self-administered questionnaire in the Italian Marche region. Of these organisations, 111 reported having implemented 192 AA initiatives. The main policy needs identified concern requests for help in planning and sustainability, as well as economic and human resources. The presence of needs at the policy level was associated with the specific AA domain of volunteering and civic engagement and seemed to be present when initiatives dealt with the reduction of inequalities in terms of generational differences and differences in terms of digital skills. To appropriately manage policy needs, those results call for policy action in order to involve representatives of meso-level organisations through co-decisional policy tools and to promote intergenerational programmes in general and in the field of digitalization in particular, given its benefits for both generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Being healthy and active is a goal to achieve a better quality of life as individuals age. This study aimed to explore and validate the Active Ageing (AA) model, and examine geographic variations, and demographic and socioeconomic disparities. Study design: Utilising a cross-sectional secondary data analysis, the analytic unit is older adults aged 60–80 across all provinces in Thailand. Methods: Exploratory Factor Analysis explored the AA structures, and the second-order Confirmatory Factor Analysis validated the model fit. Factor scores were used to identify geographic variation and sociodemographic disparities in AA. The association between geographic, and sociodemographic characteristics, and AA was examined through hierarchical regression analysis. Results: The AA model, comprised of 14 indicators representing three latent factors–physical health, participation, and security–exhibited an optimal fit. Geographic inequality in AA emerged across the country, with specific areas linked to lower AA. An inverse relation between participation and security was observed. Rural residence, younger age, male, being married, and adequate income were associated with better AA. The association between AA and geographic, demographic, and socioeconomic emphasised the positive role of marital and economic status. Conclusions: This study contributes to understanding the social determinants of health by constructing a comprehensive AA model. The findings highlight the geographic variations and demographic and socioeconomic disparities in AA across Thailand. While AA generally declines with age, a better economy may help alleviate these disparities. These findings underscore the need for tailored social and public health policies, avoiding a “one-size-fits-all” approach.

BackgroundAge-friendly environments intend to promote active ageing by facilitating social, mental, and physical participation. This could potentially delay the onset of chronic complex conditions, enabling people to live longer independently at home, and prevent loneliness. This study investigates a community-based living environment in Norway called Helgetun and aims to explore how it can facilitate active ageing.MethodWe chose an ethnographic approach consisting of observation, informal conversations, and in-depth semi-structured interviews with 15 residents (11 female, 4 male, ages 62–84). We analysed the data using reflexive thematic analysis.ResultWe developed three themes on facilitating active ageing in this living environment: maintaining self-identity, experiencing growth and development, and feeling a sense of belonging. These themes were related to physical activity levels, social engagement, and overall satisfaction with the living environment. Maintaining self-identity concerned getting a new role in life as well as access to meaningful activities. Experiencing growth and development involved being exposed to new activities, learning new skills, and experiencing mastery. Lastly, feeling a sense of belonging meant feeling safe and part of a group, as well as receiving social support and help. This feeling of social connectedness and safety was reflected in their experience with the COVID-19 pandemic, in which most felt relatively unaffected, suggesting that this way of living could increase reliance among this age group.ConclusionHaving a flexible structure, adapting to the core needs and individual resources of the residents, can facilitate active ageing in community-based living environments. Our findings contribute to the growing evidence that these environments increase social and physical engagement, whilst reducing social isolation and loneliness. These findings may be particularly relevant in a Norwegian context—where older adults are less dependent on family for care—and are meant as grounding points for policymakers to reflect upon designing future senior living.

Abstract Background With the increasing proportion of older adults in India, it becomes essential to get an insight into the various influencing factors of successful ageing. However, the literature on successful ageing is minuscule in the Indian context. The present study attempted to understand successful ageing in terms of active and productive ageing by exploring their determining factors. Methods The data were extracted from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) Wave–1 (2017–2018). We utilized self-reported time use information from the experimental module of the LASI. A total of 7837 ageing adults were included in the study. We employed descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis and a multinominal logistic regression model to examine the prevalence and the determinants of active and productive ageing. Results The prevalence of inactive ageing was higher among the Indian ageing population (57.47%), followed by active ageing (29.59%) and productive ageing (12.94%). Poor sleep quality and the prevalence of morbidity and disability limited the ageing population from attaining active and productive ageing. Engagement in physical activity was significantly associated with active and productive ageing (β = 0.83, 99% CI: -0.72–0.94 and β = 0.82, 99% CI: 0.66–0.98), respectively. Rural ageing adults were more likely to attain active ageing and less likely to attain productive ageing. Conclusion Engagement in physical activities among the ageing population shall be promoted to attain active and productive ageing. Since the rural ageing population were less likely to attain productive ageing than their urban counterparts, opportunities to participate in more formal economic activities in rural areas could be promoted for the wellbeing of the second demographic dividend.

Background: As the global demographic shifts towards an ageing population, the significance of the built environment in facilitating ageing in place gains prominence. This study addresses the critical question of how a built environment can support older adults’ independence and enhance their quality of life. Method: Utilising a systematic review of review papers, this research scrutinises existing literature to uncover the influence of urban planning, physical accessibility, and residential design on the older people’s physical and mental well-being. More specially, the study methodically examines existing review articles that span various aspects of the built environment related to ageing in place. Results: The analysis reveals that specific elements of the built environment, notably rational urban planning and accessible urban spaces, as well as adaptable housing designs, significantly impact ageing individuals’ health, social engagement, and overall satisfaction with life. It also identifies contradictions in the effects of environmental features on cognitive health and well-being, underscoring areas that warrant further exploration. Conclusions: The study concludes that thoughtful urban and housing designs are pivotal in creating age-friendly environments that support ageing in place. It emphasises the need for future research and policy development aimed at enhancing the living conditions of older adults within their communities.

Ageing among older Northern Finnish women was the subject of this qualitative study where community-based group interviews were held to learn about the experiences and views of 36 women about the activities that they thought helped them to remain active and well. Focus group discussions and self-produced drawings were used as methods to elicit ideas and experiences about what active ageing meant to those who participated. Manual thematic coding and collective analysis of the themes from group data were applied. The study participants identified outdoor pursuits and experiences in natural environments as well as group activities that they thought contributed to active ageing and well-being in older age. Nordic pole walking, berry picking, balancing time alone and gathering with others were featured in these group discussions, as were cultural aspects, such as sisu, that played a role in motivating the participants. The participants also provided some suggestions for ageing actively and maintaining well-being as women aged. The results of this study have implications for policies and services that promote active ageing and well-being of older women and for the development of culturally relevant local and national programs and activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The original project, where older persons received reablement performed by an interprofessional team showed success factors for IHR. However, since there is a lack of knowledge about why some persons do not recover despite receiving IHR, this study follows up patients' experiences of IHR. Aim: To describe older persons' perceived dilemmas in the reablement process within the framework of IHR. Method: 11 CIT interviews with participants who have previously received IHR, were analysed, interpreted and categorized according to CIT. The study was approved by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority. Results: The results showed disease-related dilemmas, fatigue or pain so that participants could not cope with the prescribed exercises. New diseases appeared, as well as medication side effects made exercising difficult, and painkillers became a prerequisite for coping with IHR. Low self-motivation and mistrust towards the staff emerged like lack of trust due to otherness such as sex, cultural background, or language also became critical. Conclusions: Interventions that consider individual- and contextual dilemmas are very important. By recognizing critical situations, this study can work as a basis of evidence to further develop interventions for older people living in their own homes and to ensure them to stay there. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ageing process is associated with vulnerabilities, such as cognitive decline. Physical activity and exercise are key for preserving cognitive health in older age. This systematic review aims to analyse the effects of physical fitness programs on healthy older adults' cognitive functions. An electronic search was performed in the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. It included observational and experimental studies published between February 2017 and March 2023. Of the 1922 studies identified, 38 met the inclusion criteria. The findings show the positive effects of physical training on cognitive function in older adults. The most examined cognitive domains were executive function, memory function, and global cognition. Aerobic training prevailed, followed by resistance strength training and exergames. There was high variability in the characteristics of the protocols. The average length of interventions was 3–6 months; the frequency varied in the range of 1–4-times a week and 30–90 min sessions. The findings of this systematic review emphasise that physical fitness programs positively improve the specific domains of cognitive function in healthy older adults. These results can contribute to planning future interventions to improve the mental health of the older population and strengthen the development of policies for healthy ageing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This post-structural policy analysis examines Finnish government programmes through the lens of neoliberal governmentality and the concepts of the entrepreneurial self and active ageing. In the context of Finland, as a Nordic welfare state in transition to a competition-state model, this study examines how government programmes construct an ageing workforce, especially regarding older entrepreneurship. The results suggest that older people are not only constructed as a difficult-to-employ workforce but also as passive and vulnerable care recipients. Furthermore, as a construction, older entrepreneurship is absent from the studied documents, suggesting that the older entrepreneurship is a marginalized group that has been silenced. This article increases knowledge about this silencing in terms of governmentality and provides perspectives via which to develop a more inclusive entrepreneurship policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Older people in low-population density regions tend to have fewer resources to engage in regular physical activity (PA) compared to their counterparts in urban areas. Moreover, PA assumes different dimensions, and the amount of PA related to each dimension may differ between women and men, predisposing them to different PA practices. Therefore, this cross-sectional study aims to describe the prevalence of barriers to PA, gender differences, and their associations with different PA dimensions. A total of 259 older adults (153 women and 106 men; age, 75.17 ± 8.05 years old) living in the community in the region of Guarda (Portugal) were interviewed face to face to record their sociodemographic characteristics, general health status (comorbidity index and self-reported health), PA behaviour, and barriers to PA. Women were more likely to report "low" income and living alone (p ≤ 0.05), while men reported a higher negative health status than women (p < 0.05). Two intrinsic ("Fear of injury" (40.1%) and "Need for rest" (26.3%)) and two extrinsic barriers ("Lack of nearby facilities" (30.5%) and "I don't have transport" (25.6%)) were the most prevalent. For women, age, self-reported health, comorbidity index, and intrinsic and extrinsic barriers were similarly associated with the different PA dimensions. However, only self-reported health and extrinsic barriers were the variables associated with the different PA dimensions in men. Therefore, strategies to promote active ageing in low-population density regions should be focused on reducing intrinsic and extrinsic barriers based on gender and the PA dimension to be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The degree of deterioration in sarcopenia parameters may be affected by a person's level of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB). Our study focused on examining the PA and SB of active older adults including those with and without history of sports in youth. Methods: Forty-four participants (20 men and 24 women, mean age of total sample 76.1 ± 5.2 years) were included in analysis of PA, SB habits and sarcopenia parameters, determined by skeletal muscle index, hand-grip strength, gait speed, Timed Up and Go tests (TUG). PA and SB were recorded with accelerometers. Our primary aim was to compare participants with (AH) or without a sport history in youth (NAH), in their sarcopenia parameters and PA and SB habits. Results: When divided participants in two groups (AH and NAH) and adjusting for age, we have detected the differences for skeletal muscle index (p = 0.007) and hand-grip strength (p = 0.004) in favor of participants who were engaged in sports in youth. We did not find any differences in PA and SB habits between the AH and NAH groups. After adjusting for age, participants with a higher number of daily steps, longer moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) bouts, a higher number of MVPA bouts in a day and higher overall MVPA engagement achieved better results in hand-grip strength and TUG. Participants with lower SB had better TUG and gait speed results. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that engaging in sports activities in youth can make a difference with sarcopenia parameters. Although we found no differences in PA and SB habits between participants with AH and NAH, participants with an athlete history performed better results in sarcopenia parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With the growing trend of ageing, there is an urgent need for effective interventions that enhance positive psychological functions among older adults. Objective: (1) To evaluate the effectiveness of life review and reminiscence therapy in enhancing the quality of life and life satisfaction among older adults. (2) To discover efficacious variables during interventions, such as form of intervention and number of sessions. Methods: Relevant randomized controlled trials in both English and Chinese languages were searched across eight databases. The meta-analysis was conducted by a random effects model using STATA 17. The registration number of this review is CRD42023424085. Results: Thirty-two studies with 2353 participants were included. Experimental groups of older adults significantly improved their quality of life (SMD 1.07; 95% CI 0.48 to 1.66; p < 0.001) and life satisfaction (SMD 1.12; 95% CI 0.63 to 1.60; p < 0.001). Subgroup analyses revealed that individual sessions of life review and reminiscence therapy had a more significant impact on improving quality of life and six to eight intervention sessions could enhance life satisfaction more effectively. Conclusions: Life review and reminiscence therapy hold promise for application in medical and nursing care for older adults, suggesting the potential benefits of implementing intervention designs with effective settings for positive psychological functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increase in ageing societies is posing new and urgent societal and political challenges to meeting people’s medical, personal, and social needs in old age. Ageing should not be considered a uniform phase of life and at least three phases should be distinguished: (a) silver age, (b) the mildly frail age, and (c) those at risk of dependency. Policy tools and logics should prevent and support specific needs in a life‐course approach and the preventive approach is seen as among the most useful interventions, with a baseline objective to promote ageing in place, minimize the institutionalization of care, and prevent psychophysical deterioration by supporting older people and their families through tailor‐made approaches and policies. Our study focuses on the project Invecchiare bene/Bien vieillir (ageing well) funded by Interreg Alcotra France–Italy and implemented in the Valleys of Monviso in northern Italy. The project targets older people living at home in mountainous areas, where healthy ageing is difficult due to chronic diseases and social isolation. This article presents an analysis of preventive‐based interventions and services that promote innovative ageing policies and investigates the involvement of the local community and how it can lead to the deployment of new preventive measures. The research covers the direct impact on the health and living conditions of the recipients (older people) and innovation by the local care model (among social workers and the local community). Qualitative (documentary analysis, semi‐structured interviews, and focus groups) as well as quantitative (questionnaire and secondary data analysis) methods were used.