Search

This executive report contains a synthesis of a secondary research from a qualitative approach, carried out to understand the age-friendliness of the residential environment in Spanish municipalities, under the paradigm of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities. It is based on self-assessed old persons environmental needs, as well as the improvements and the action plans. This knowledge should serve for the design and implementation of actions and the evaluation of municipal action.

La preferencia residencial de las personas mayores es la de envejecer en casa, y esto es más factible si se reside en un entorno amigable. En este sentido, y bajo el paradigma de Ciudades y Comunidades Amigables con las Personas Mayores se invita, en un proceso de abajo hacia arriba, a las personas mayores y otros agentes relacionados (personas cuidadoras, proveedores de servicios y otros actores locales) a informar sobre sus necesidades en el entorno residencial. Esto es fundamental para desarrollar e implementar procesos de mejora de la amigabilidad de los municipios, progresar en la calidad de vida y fomentar un envejecimiento saludable. Esta publicación es fruto de una investigación dirigida desde el Imserso; se nutre de los documentos aportados por los municipios españoles adheridos a la red de ciudades y comunidades amigables que, convenientemente analizados desde una perspectiva cualitativa, han permitido conocer cuáles son las mejoras necesarias, las acciones y metas a alcanzar, así como el grado de consecución de esas actuaciones en las ocho áreas de amigabilidad (espacios al aire libre y edificios; transporte; vivienda; participación social; respeto e inclusión social; participación cívica y empleo; comunicación e información; servicios de apoyo comunitario y de salud) y otras áreas emergentes y transversales (soledad no deseada; edadismo; perspectiva de género). Todo ello se concreta en la publicación completa.

Este informe ejecutivo contiene una síntesis de una investigación secundaria de corte cualitativo, realizada para comprender la amigabilidad del entorno residencial de las personas mayores en el contexto de los municipios españoles, y bajo el paradigma de Ciudades y Comunidades Amigables con las Personas Mayores. Se basa en las demandas y necesidades expresadas por este grupo etario, así como en las mejoras y los planes de acción. Este conocimiento es la base para su traslación al diseño e implementación de actuaciones y la evaluación de la actuación municipal.

[Objective] To examine the relationship between the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) score and sociodemographic, health, emotional and behavioural factors, in a cross-sectional observational study in 447 older adults living in long-term care (LTC) settings in Madrid (Spain)., [Methods] The sample was stratified by nursing home ownership, geographical location, and size. Multiple linear regression analysis was used using backward elimination to identify factors that explained associations with fear, and logistic regression models were used to examine its role as a predictor of adherence to preventive measures., [Results] The mean age of the participants was 83.8 years, most were female, had had COVID-19, and were worried about the pandemic. The average score of the FCV-19S was 18.36 (SD: 8.28; range: 7-35), and the variables associated in the multiple linear regression model (explained variance: 34.00%) were being female, lower level of education, satisfaction with life and the residential home, and higher worry about the pandemic. The logistic regression models showed that fear of COVID-19 was a predictor of adherence to preventive measures like wearing facemasks, washing hands, and avoiding physical contact., [Conclusions] Fear of COVID-19 was significantly related with sex and subjective factors as life satisfaction and worry; and it influences older people's preventive behaviour. Interventions aimed at reducing fear and promoting adherence to preventive measures would improve their mental health and well-being.

Various global frameworks for ageing action advocate adapting residential environments to make them accessible, safe, inclusive, and sustainable, particularly for older people and the most vulnerable. This is the objective of the Global Age-Friendly Cities Project (WHO, 2007), which built on the reference point of the WHO’s active ageing framework (WHO, 2002, ILC-BR, 2015), and more recently the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (UN, 2015) and the Global Strategy and Action Plan on Ageing and Health (WHO, 2017).

Nursing homes for the elderly in Spain have experienced high rates of infection and mortality from COVID-19, although rates have varied from one region to another. Madrid is the region where most institutionalized older adults have died from the coronavirus. However, there is little known about the psychosocial and environmental factors involved in the high incidence of COVID-19 among the institutionalised population in this region. This article describes the protocol of a study on nursing homes during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in the Autonomous Community of Madrid (hereafter: Region of Madrid or Madrid Region) and provides information on the study design, measures used, and characteristics of the population studied. A questionnaire about life in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic was designed and a total of 447 persons over 60 years of age without cognitive impairment—220 in private nursing homes and 227 in public nursing homes—participated by answering questions about different topics: personal situations during the pandemic, feelings and methods of coping, residential environment, health, quality of life, ageism, and self-perception of ageing. The institutionalised person profile discussed in this study was an old woman, widowed, without children, with a low level of education, with multimorbidity, and who perceived her health and quality of life positively. Most of the participants were very concerned about COVID-19 and its effects. In fact, 38% had been diagnosed with COVID-19, of whom 20% were admitted to hospital and 20% had suffered negative impacts, such as pain and neurological problems. In addition, 70% of the residents remained confined to their rooms, which increased their perceptions of loneliness and social isolation. The worst-rated aspects of the nursing home resulted from the restrictive measures imposed on nursing homes during the pandemic. This research offers useful material for understanding the pandemic and its consequences from the pers

Ageism promotes the exclusion of older people from society by generating a negative image that they also internalize. The aim of this article is to investigate older people’s social self-image, through statements broadcast on a national Spanish radio program aimed at this group. A qualitative analysis was conducted for a random sample from the sound archive for the Radio Nacional de España program Juntos Paso a Paso (Together, Step by Step) (2008–2021), using codes based on the pillars and determinants of active ageing and the three dimensions of ageism. Intercoder agreement was calculated. There were significant findings regarding ageism, gendered ageism and ageing in place, with differences according to size of municipal area. The program in question can be considered a viable secondary source for the research aim. Ageism is most commonly manifested through implicit opinions and invisibilization in family and social contexts. Care activities play a notably central role in responses related to gendered ageism. In relation to ageing in place, older people prefer their habitual environment when they have moderate care needs and accept moves to nursing homes when their needs increase.

The most vulnerable residential settings during the COVID-19 pandemic were older adult’s nursing homes, which experienced high rates of incidence and death from this cause. This paper aims to ascertain how institutionalized older people assessed their residential environment during the pandemic and to examine the differences according to personal and contextual characteristics. The COVID-19 Nursing Homes Survey (Madrid region, Spain) was used. The residential environment assessment scale (EVAER) and personal and contextual characteristics were selected. Descriptive and multivariate statistical analysis were applied. The sample consisted of 447 people (mean age = 83.8, 63.1% = women, 50.8% = widowed, 40% = less than primary studies). Four residential assessment subscales (relationships, mobility, residential aspects, privacy space) and three clusters according to residential rating (medium-high with everything = 71.5% of cases, low with mobility = 15.4%, low with everything = 13.1%) were obtained. The logistic regression models for each cluster category showed to be statistically significant. Showing a positive affect (OR = 1.08), fear of COVID-19 (OR = 1.06), high quality of life (OR = 1.05), not having suspicion of depression (OR = 0.75) and performing volunteer activities (OR = 3.67) were associated with the largest cluster. It is concluded that a better residential evaluation was related to more favourable personal and contextual conditions. These results can help in the design of nursing homes for older adults in need of accommodation and care to facilitate an age-friendly environment.

There is growing interest in promoting active and healthy ageing environments through age-friendly communities within the scientific and public administration sectors. Older people’s health and quality of life expectations are structured around living for as long as possible in their usual environment, home and neighbourhood, so they can maintain autonomy and independence. Different residential alternatives have emerged in recent years, including cohousing, which allows older people to live at home in an environment with shared-use services. Outstanding features of this model include its encouragement of autonomy for ageing in place, help in preventing loneliness, development of social bonds and assistance in optimising financial resources and use of socio-health services. However, there is limited theoretical and methodological knowledge about cohousing for older people in Mediterranean Europe. This chapter examines the cohousing development and management process in Spain, as well as the implications of this strategy in promoting active and healthy ageing in the context of age-friendly communities. The data are sourced from in-depth interviews conducted with key informants involved in senior cohousing in Spain. Thematic analyses are applied using the Atlas.ti program. The results can provide a basis to design currently non-existent specific regulations that would facilitate the development of this residential category.

This chapter analyses self-image among older adults, taking into account their different residential settings (family dwelling, cohousing, nursing homes), the relationship with pillars and determinants of active ageing, and the implications for the development of more inclusive settings for older adults. There is a qualitative analysis of discourses obtained during in-depth interviews and discussion groups held in 2017 with the older adult population in Spain. The findings showed that older adults construct different images of themselves according to their living environment, their social participation, and the availability of inclusive spaces. As a result, a public policy that is based on promoting age-friendly cities and communities (AFCCs), particularly seeking to reinforce the areas of social participation, respect and social inclusion and civic engagement and employment, could help to improve self-image among older people and facilitate their social and community inclusion.

Background: Following the active ageing model based on the Health, Lifelong Learning, Participation and Security pillars, this research has a twofold objective: i) to classify older adults according to active ageing profiles, taking into account the four pillars, and ii) to ascertain the relationship between the profiles and personal and contextual factors, as well as well-being and quality of life in old age. Methods: A study sample of 5,566 Spanish older adults who participated in wave 6 of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) was included. Data were analysed in different steps applying several statistical analyses (Principal Component, Cluster, Discriminant, Multiple Correspondence and bivariate analysis with Pearson chi-square and ANOVA). Results: Five older adult profiles were obtained (I: with moderate activity; II: quasi-dependents; III: with active ageing-limiting conditions; IV: with diverse and balanced activity; V: with excellent active ageing conditions). The first three profiles were characterised by subjects with a high average age, low educational level, who were retired or housewives, and who perceived a moderate level of loneliness, satisfaction with the social network and quality of life, as well as having a larger family network, but living in small households or alone. In contrast, the latter two profiles showed better personal and contextual conditions, well-being and quality of life. Discussion and conclusions: The multidimensional approach to active ageing followed in this article has revealed the presence of several older adult profiles, which are confined to groups with better or worse active ageing conditions. In this context, if ageing is a process that reflects the previous way of life, intervention priorities will have to consider actions that promote better conditions during the life cycle.

Background. The concept of active ageing has been used in recent decades as a line of research in population studies and as a public policy instrument, especially since its adoption by the World Health Organization to reinforce health, participation, security and lifelong learning as pillars of quality of life (WHO, Active ageing: A policy framework. World Health Organization, 2002; ILC-BR, Active ageing: A policy framework in response to the longevity revolution. International Longevity Centre Brazil, 2015). Defining active ageing is a complex task as it is related to various theories, constructed from multiple contents and their interactions, linked to other conceptual frameworks of ageing (healthy, productive, successful and positive ageing) and implemented following scientific strategies and public policy design. Researchers have used these concepts according to their study goals and their own disciplinary rules, often depending on the availability of databases. We assume that little research has been conducted to understand the relationship between active ageing and quality of life. Consequently, this paper aims to review the existing scientific literature on active ageing and quality of life. Methods. A systematic search of references published between 1 January 1997 and 31 December 2015 and a non-systematic search to update the references to 2016 and 2017 were conducted across several high-quality bibliographic databases. The systematic search strategy and selection criteria yielded 16 articles. A systematized literature review was applied to analyse concepts, methods, instruments and findings. Findings. The constructs of active ageing and quality of life are rarely studied together. There are no single and commonly accepted definitions and little elaboration in this respect. Most of the studies are quantitative, and to a lesser extent qualitative or mixed. Community dwelling studies predominate in line with the common form of residence. A large variety of me

Active ageing is conditioned by social, economic and personal determinants, health and social services, and the physical environment. In connection with this, age-friendly residential environments enable to adjust the places of daily life to the changes that accompany the aging process, in order to promote integration and active ageing at all ages. This work analyzed the obstacles of the physical environment for the mobility of older people, as barriers to participation in leisure activities in the neighborhood or place of residence. Its impact on the quality of life indicators of satisfaction with free time and with life as a whole is also examined. For this purpose, the Pilot Survey of the Longitudinal Study on Ageing in Spain Project (ELES-EP Project) was used, with a representative sample of community residents aged 50 years and above. Structural equation models were applied to analyze the relationship of the focal variables (barriers, free time and life satisfaction), controlling for the effect of demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, health, functional capacity and social relationships, among other determinants of active ageing. The results indicated that obstacles relating to accessibility of housing or buildings might reduce the frequency with which older people participate in leisure activities in their community, which in turn negatively affects satisfaction with free time and quality of life. Ensuring a barrier-free residential environment is key to promoting active ageing and to enhancing quality of life.

Demographic ageing is a widespread process affecting all societies and territories. It is an achievement and a mark of success for humanity; never before have whole generations been able to enjoy such high life expectancy and expect to live a longer old age, with the result of more generations coexisting at the same time. Ageing represents a challenge both for societies as a whole and for individuals. World Health Organization adopted Active Ageing as a target for action and its seminal document “Active Ageing: A Policy Framework” started an agenda of policies and activities that were developed across many countries with the aim of promoting a new image of ageing and of older people. Other international institutions subsequently supported the study of this socio-demographic phenomenon based on this new and positive paradigm, including the European Commission, which labelled 2012 the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations. Active Ageing continues to provide a coherent and comprehensive framework for strategies on an individual, local, national and global scale in response to the longevity revolution.

This handbook presents an overview of studies on the relationship of active ageing and quality of life. It addresses the new challenges of ageing from the paradigm of positive ageing (active, healthy and successful) for a better quality of life. It provides theoretical perspectives and empirical studies, including scientific knowledge as well as practical experiences about the good ageing and the quality of later life around the world, in order to respond to the challenges of an aged population. The handbook is structured in 4 sections covering theoretical and conceptual perspectives, social policy issues and research agenda, methods, measurement instrument-scales and evaluations, and lastly application studies including domains and geographical contexts.

La mejora de las condiciones de vida y los avances de la medicina han facilitado un considerable aumento de la esperanza de vida y, como consecuencia, un importante envejecimiento poblacional. En España, las personas mayores de 65 años representan casi el 20% de la población, y se prevé que este porcentaje crezca significativamente en los próximos años. Afrontar esta situación demográfica es uno de los principales retos de la sociedad en la actualidad. Uno de los desafíos más relevantes es ocuparse de lo que se ha denominado «epidemia de la soledad», es decir, el impacto negativo que la soledad no deseada y el aislamiento social tienen en la salud mental y la calidad de vida de las personas mayores. En España, un 20% de las personas mayores de 65 años declara niveles altos de soledad, un 25% de aislamiento social y 1 de cada 4 sufre depresión. La evidencia científica apunta también a que su abordaje mediante intervenciones multidisciplinares y multidimensionales, sustentadas por recursos institucionales y comunitarios apropiados, tiene un impacto positivo en la calidad de vida y en la salud mental de las personas mayores. La soledad y la mala salud mental que padecen las personas mayores requiere de medidas urgentes orientadas a promover, entre ellas, un buen estado de salud y una calidad de vida óptima. Este documento presenta recomendaciones de actuación basadas en la investigación realizada por el Proyecto QASP - Quality of Life and Aging in Spain, Sweden and Portugal

El impacto de la pandemia de COVID-19 en la población de los países de América Latina (AL) depende en gran medida de las acciones de política pública (en general) y de salud (en particular) que los gobiernos hayan adoptado para frenar su avance y efectos. Especial atención merecen las personas mayores como grupo demográfico de más vulnerabilidad frente a esta enfermedad infecciosa. Así, este trabajo tiene dos objetivos: primero, examinar la tendencia de COVID-19 a partir de los casos confirmados y la mortalidad por esa causa entre personas adultas mayores de una selección de países de AL (Argentina, Brasil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, México y Uruguay) junto con España; para luego destacar las acciones y políticas dirigidas a la atención de la población mayor en cada país durante la primera ola de la pandemia.

El envejecimiento demográfico no es nuevo y las proyecciones señalan una tendencia alcista, de modo que en el año 2050 España ocupará el octavo lugar mundial en el peso de mayores (38 % de su población con 60 y más años), por delante de México y de Argentina (26 % y 25 %), y el valor medio mundial será de 22 % (United Nations, 2013). Pero una característica del envejecimientoglobal es su desigual evolución según regiones y niveles de desarrollo. Y en este contexto, destaca la magnitud de este fenómeno sociodemográfico, así como su rapidez, en especial en aquellos ámbitos geográficos que han llegado de forma reciente a este proceso.Las organizaciones internacionales (Naciones Unidas, Organización Mundial de la Salud, Comisión Europea, entre otras) y nacionales, como el Programa Nacional de Envejecimiento Activo y Salud-ProNEAS, en Argentina; el Instituto de Mayores y Servicios Sociales (imserso) en España; el Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado (issste), el Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (imss), el Instituto Nacional de las Personas Adultas Mayores(inapam), el Sistema Nacional para el Desarrollo Integral de la Familia (dif) y el el Instituto de Geriatría, en México, llevan tiempo debatiendo y concienciando a la sociedad sobre las implicaciones del proceso de envejecimiento, señalando que no ha de ser visto desde una perspectiva de decaimiento de las capacidades personales, sino como una fase de oportunidad y participación individual, social y comunitaria (World Health Organization, 2002; ilc-br, 2015). En este sentido, el envejecimiento, como triunfo de los avances socioeconómicos, tecnológicos y,en consecuencia, de las condiciones de vida en general, representa un reto que afecta a todas las dimensiones de la sociedad actual. Como contexto del objeto prioritario de investigación de la Red Iberoamericana sobre Envejecimiento Activo, esta comunicación presenta un estudio comparativo básico de las condiciones de vida de la p

En el contexto del envejecimiento como fenómeno global, el paradigma del Envejecimiento Activo (EA) ha sido utilizado en las últimas décadas como línea de investigación en estudios de población y como instrumento de política pública. Fue originalmente conceptualizado por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) sobre la base de varios pilares para la actuación (salud, participación, seguridad y el aprendizaje) y determinantes (personales, comportamentales, sociales, económicos, servicios sociales y sanitarios, y el entorno físico, todos ellos atravesados por el género y la cultura) para mejorar la Calidad de Vida (CdV) (WHO, 2002; ILC-BR, 2015) al amparo de un enfoque integrador y multidimensional.