Active Aging

Com o fenômeno global do envelhecimento populacional, as atenções recaem na busca da melhoria de qualidade de vida para idosos. A Organização Mundial da Saúde [1] destaca aspectos como transporte, habitação, trabalho, proteção social, serviços de saúde e cuidados de longo prazo. Assim, o conceito Cohousing vem ao encontro do Envelhecimento Saudável, otimizando a capacidade funcional do idoso, permitindo-o realizar tarefas que lhe sejam importantes [1]. As Cohousings são comunidades intencionais surgidas em 1972 na Dinamarca [2], resgatando valores de comunidade e estilos de vida saudáveis. As Senior Cohousings, destinadas a maiores de 50 anos, favorecem o acesso a cuidados intensivos de saúde, autonomia e convivência social, representando diferentes significados e experiências nos campos físico, psicológico e social [3]. No Brasil, a internet vem auxiliando na informação e na organização social de grupos com afinidades e objetivos comuns [4]. De 2011 a 2013, o número de idosos brasileiros utilizando redes sociais, especialmente sites de relacionamento, aumentou 39,3% [5]. Esse perfil do “novo idoso” integra o conceito do Envelhecimento Ativo, um processo de otimização das oportunidades de saúde, participação e segurança. Estudos anteriores revelam traços do perfil dos moradores mais velhos das cohousings na Suécia [6] e identificam diretrizes projetuais através do processo participativo com futuros moradores no Brasil, porém sem foco etário [2]. O artigo objetiva traçar um perfil dos possíveis futuros usuários idosos dessas comunidades, pelo acompanhamento de postagens e comentários espontâneos em redes sociais e sites, buscando (i) identificar as razões que levariam adultos mais velhos a viver em cohousings no Brasil e (ii) avaliar a importância de fatores físicos, psicológicos e sociais nesta escolha. Para isso, realizou-se uma pesquisa bibliográfica sobre cohousing, psicologia ambiental e idosos e análise de conteúdo [7] em sites com grupos brasileiros da rede social Facebook que tenham como tema cohousing e participantes idosos interessados em adotar este modo de habitação. A análise, feita a partir de palavras-chave, identifica aspectos do significado da casa: Psicológica, Social, Econômica, Material, Temporal e Tempo- Espaço [3]. Partindo dos resultados obtidos através da categorização das palavras chaves dentro das 6 dimensões analisadas conclui-se que existe uma maior ocorrência de intensões a respeito de moradias compartilhadas dentro de duas categorias em especial: material e psicológica. As expectativas por parte dos relatos dentro da dimensão psicológica são quase tão importantes quanto as expectativas na material. Essa busca por amparo psicológico em seu ambiente de moradia, pode ser creditada a perdas nas capacidades físicas, cognitivas e sociais, levando a um estreitamento da inserção social dos idosos e um consequente sentimento de abandono e solidão [8]. Também relevante, é a presença maior de depoimentos femininos, totalizando 90,47% dentre os coletados. Uma das hipóteses para essa ocorrência maior entre mulheres é a busca por afirmação de independência [6]. O perfil do novo idoso dentro do conceito de Envelhecimento Ativo, auxilia na compreensão do aumento da procura por moradias alternativas, especialmente pelas cohousing, pois a organização deste tipo de comunidade, reforça os valores buscados por este novo perfil, presentes nos depoimentos dos idosos analisados.

Intergenerational programs are reported as one type of social activity that may promote active aging among older adults. Survey methodology using open and closed-ended questions examined the extent to which participation in an intergenerational program enhanced the perceived health and well-being of older adults (N = 70). Older adults reported that their participation in the “Time after Time” intergenerational program enhanced their confidence, self-esteem, and social skills, contributed to their emotional and overall health and well-being, and enabled them to learn about others and feel connected to their community. The study supports the promotion of intergenerational programs as an option for older adults to actively age. Implications for practice are provided.

Cuando se hace referencia al envejecimiento activo se habla de optimizar las oportunidades de salud, participación y seguridad, con el fin de ampliar la esperanza de vida saludable (libre de discapacidad) y la calidad de vida (CV) de las personas a medida que envejecen. Este constructo multidimensional abarca cuatro ámbitos: una buena salud y forma física, óptimo funcionamiento cognitivo, equilibrio emocional-motivacional y un buen nivel de participación social. En el presente estudio hemos centrado la atención en la formación artística, dónde el sujeto pasa de ser espectador a actor, sentirse útil, activo y satisfecho con aquello que hace, proporcionándole bienestar físico, cognitivo, emocional y social, y redundando, por tanto, en una mayor calidad de vida.

Objective: Identifying positive psychological factors that reduce health care use may lead to innovative efforts that help build a more sustainable and high-quality health care system. Prospective studies indicate that life satisfaction is associated with good health behaviors, enhanced health, and longer life, but little information about the association between life satisfaction and health care use is available. We tested whether higher life satisfaction was prospectively associated with fewer doctor visits. We also examined potential interactions between life satisfaction and health behaviors.

Methods: Participants were 6379 adults from the Health and Retirement Study, a prospective and nationally representative panel study of American adults older than 50 years. Participants were tracked for 4 years. We analyzed the data using a generalized linear model with a gamma distribution and log link.

Results: Higher life satisfaction was associated with fewer doctor visits. On a 6-point life satisfaction scale, each unit increase in life satisfaction was associated with an 11% decrease in doctor visits—after adjusting for sociodemographic factors (relative risk = 0.89, 95% confidence interval = 0.86–0.93). The most satisfied respondents (n = 1121; 17.58%) made 44% fewer doctor visits than did the least satisfied (n = 182; 2.85%). The association between higher life satisfaction and reduced doctor visits remained even after adjusting for baseline health and a wide range of sociodemographic, psychosocial, and health-related covariates (relative risk = 0.96, 95% confidence interval = 0.93–0.99).

Conclusions: Higher life satisfaction is associated with fewer doctor visits, which may have important implications for reducing health care costs.

Technological innovations and biotechnological findings are revolutionizing medicine and health care. Following this shift in medical research and practice, the traditional concept of ageing has also been challenged by the development of “anti-ageing medicine”, which states that “ageing processes can be slowed down, stopped or even reversed”. What seemed impossible a few decades ago, has today become the priority of many scientists and medical professionals focussing on aspects such as regeneration processes, human enhancement, replacement of body parts or micro-engineered body monitoring.
To bring light on what currently works or does not work in the field of anti-ageing medicine, TA-Swiss has directed a study and analysis on the many areas where anti-ageing medicine is proliferating along with a growing market of applications and products. Those range from therapeutic cloning, stem cells, genomics, human engineering, biogerontology to dietary supplements, to engineered solutions for a smart home and age-friendly environment. The international study of research, practice, market and consumers world was conducted through state of the art review as well as through expert interviews and clinical on site visits in the world and in Switzerland. The presentation will synthesize results and provide recommendations (policy, legislative, pharmaceutics, research) on the new developments in preventive care and interventions aiming at reversing decline, restoring lost functions, as well as technological devices for rehabilitation and care.
The survey shows many interesting results, a few can be pointed out: (i) anti-ageing medicine touches a vast array of disciplines both medical and para-medical, which creates new professional venues and opportunities (ii) anti-ageing research findings are still difficult to generalize yet often promising, while specific anti-ageing interventions work in specific conditions (age, gender, health status, medical indication) it can be at risk for other situations or age groups (iii) the anti-ageing products are booming globally in an uncontrollable way: not only is there a lack of economic data on the market but also on consumers expenses, but more so, many products do not respond to a clear categorization (with official labels) and avoid control of its distribution internationally or through internet (iv) the consumer is often unaware of the risk undertaken for his health and is also often financially abused through consuming products with false claims.
On the basis of those results, recommendations were formulated for the government, but also for the medical and non-medical practitioners, for the association of patients and for the market. In each of these sectors, the rapid pace of technological innovation reflects two contrasted sides: on one hand, measures are suggested to allow new technologies to be transferred for the benefit of the older patient and, on the other hand, further researches and quality control are needed to avoid any potential risks of non-tested technological interventions in order to protect the elderly population. Anti-ageing medicine is a transnational movement, thus, it is only through a concerted European and international regulation on anti-ageing medicine that the population will be better informed and allow for a safer and informed decision for every consumer.

Globally, the number of older persons is expected to more than double in the next 30 years. As the young-old balance shifts throughout the world, so does the prevalence of chronic disease, making elderly well-being and quality of life a topic of utmost concern. The aim of this research is to determine whether International Poi (a weight on the end of a cord swung in circular patterns around the body) has an effect on motor control, cognitive and physical function in healthy older adults. An assessor-blind randomised controlled pilot study will be conducted with healthy adults aged 60 years or older. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the International Poi group (treatment) or Tai Chi group (control), and take part in 2 lessons a week for two month. Physical and cognitive function will be measured twice at baseline, one month apart, with the second baseline measure immediately before the intervention period. The measures will be repeated half way through the intervention period, immediately after the intervention period, and a follow-up measure one month later. Hypothesis 1: Healthy older adults will experience an improvement in physical and cognitive function following four weeks of training in either iPoi or Tai Chi, and these improvements will be greater for participants who complete iPoi training. Hypothesis 2: The effects of four weeks of iPoi and Tai Chi training on physical and cognitive function will be sustained one month after training.

This issue of the journal focuses mainly on the problem of normativity of old age and aging in Russia. Contemporary Russian society constitutes a unique blend of premodern natural aging, Soviet ascetic paternalism, and attempts to actualize the neoliberal project of aging. The current issue presents works in a variety of scholarly genres: articles, essays, field notes, reviews of monographs and collected works. To find answers to questions regarding the normativity of old age, authors employ variety
of approaches in sociological and culturological research, discourse analysis, literary gerontology, and so on. An assortment of genres, topics, and approaches will allow the reader to observe the evolution of discussion around the normativity of aging, to see what topics are of interest to the authors published in this issue, what problems researchers face in studying the process of aging, and what methods they use in their work.

Yaşlanma deneyimi, kişi ve mekân arasında sürekli bir uzlaşı içeren anlam dünyalarında gerçekleşir. Bu anlam dünyaları, amaçlarını gerçekleştirmede her zaman başarılı değilse de amaçlı olduğunu düşündüğümüz insani faaliyetlerle harekete geçirilir. Günümüz toplumlarında yaşlı yetişkin sayısının giderek artması, özellikle kentsel mekânlarda, yaşlıların seyahat davranışları ile sosyal hareketliliğini etkileyen zorlukları anlamayı gerektirmektedir. Toplumsal faaliyetler, ilerleyen yaşlarda, özellikle göze çarpan bir dizi mekanizma yoluyla, fiziksel ve psikolojik refahı desteklemektedir. Ülkemizde sağlık hizmetleri ile sosyal hizmetlerin gelişmesi yaşam beklentisini yükseltmekte, bunun sonucunda yaşlı nüfusumuzun genel nüfusumuza oranı hızlı bir şekilde artmaktadır. Bu çerçevede yaşlı nüfusun çoklu ihtiyaçlarının bütüncül bir yaklaşımla karşılanması giderek daha önemli hâle gelmektedir. Yaşlılar açısından yüksek risk faktörü olarak değerlendirilen yoksulluk, 75 yaş ve üstü bir yaşta olmak, kadın olmak, dul olmak, yalnız yaşamak, eğitim düzeyi düşük olmak gibi, genellikle, benzer nitelikteki kronik durumlarla başa çıkmaya yönelik sosyal politikaların ivedilikle üretilmesi gerekmektedir. Yaşlıların sağlığı; gelir, sosyal faaliyetler vb. konulardaki değişimlere ve büyük ölçüde aile üyelerinden gelen desteğe bağlıdır. Bu durumda aile; bireysel, duygusal, sosyal ve ekonomik destek sağlar. Yaşlı bakımı, yaşlı bireylere özgü özel gereksinimlerin karşılanmasıdır. Geleneksel toplumda yaşlı bakımı, aile üyelerinin sorumluluğundaydı ve geniş aile ortamında sağlanırdı. Modern toplumlarda ise devlet veya hayır kurumları tarafından sunulmaktadır. Bu çalışmada, hızla yaşlanan ülkemiz nüfusunun gerçekliğinden hareketle, yaşlılık olgusu; sosyal, çevresel ve psikolojik dinamikleriyle incelenmektedir.

Kent, yaratıcı bütünselliğin estetik sembolü ve coğrafi bir pleksus olarak toplumsal eylem süreçlerine ve ekonomik organizasyonlara sahne olan makro yaşam düzlemidir. Kent bu yaşam düzlemini sürekli aktif tutarak büyüyen ontolojisiyle yaşayan bir organizma olarak varlığını sürdürmeye devam etmektedir. Kent, tarihsel süreç içinde evirilen fiziksel formu, yapısı, bileşenleri ve birbirleri arasındaki değişen ilişkileri konu alan kent morfolojisi önemli bir bilim dalı olarak, yaşayan kent organizmasını incelemektedir. Geçmişten bugüne kadar tarihi, kültürel ve sosyal değerlere ev sahipliği yapmış olan bu büyük organizma, tüm yerleşim alanları ile birlikte varlığını sürdürmektedir.
Kentlerin tüm yerleşim alanlarının aktif olarak sosyal, kültürel ve ekonomik yaşama dâhil olması kent organizmasının sağlıklı ve kesintisiz çalışmasına yardımcı olmaktadır. Bu nedenle kentsel morfoloji, kentin sahip olduğu nüfusun tüm gereksinimlerini karşılama ve değişen taleplere göre kenti şekillendirme esnekliğini sağlamadaki bileşenleri ile önemli bir yer tutmaktadır. Hemen her ülkede nüfus yaşlanma konusunun yarattığı sorunlar, günümüzün trend konusu olan aktif yaş alma ve sağlıklı yaşlanma politikalarının geliştirilmesi yönünde olmuştur. Dünya Sağlık Örgütü (WHO) tarafından aktif yaşlanma kavramını kabul görmüş, Avrupa’da 2012 yılı farkındalığı arttırmak üzere “Aktif Yaşlanma Yılı” olarak ilan edilmiştir. Yaşlanan nüfus için yürütülen politika ve stratejilerinin kentsel mekânları planlamadan gerçekleşmeyeceği gerçeğinin farkında olan WHO 2005 yılından itibaren, mimarlık ile birlikte kentsel tasarımı da gündeme alarak, yaş alanları içeren tüm kent kullanıcılarının yaşama katılım düzeyleri ile yaşam kalitelerini arttırmayı hedeflediği ‘Yaş Dostu Kentler’ (Age Friendly Cities) projesini hayata geçirmiştir. Bu proje, kentsel morfoloji içinde özellikle yaş alanların istek ve gereksinimlerini göz önünde bulundurarak, sosyal hayata katılımlarını kısıtlayan engelleri kaldırmayı, aynı zamanda da maksimum duyarlılıkla tasarlanmış mekânları kentin tüm kullanıcılarının hizmetine sunmayı hedeflemiştir. Çalışma yazarın doktora tezinden, yaş dostu kentlerin kentsel morfolojiyi biçimlendirmesi ile yaş alanların sosyal hayata katılım düzeylerini arttırmayı hedefleyen düzenlemelere katkı sunmak üzere makale haline getirilmiştir.

Yaşlılığın oluşmasında bilginin rolü, gerontoloji tarihini inceleyen bilim adamları tarafından vurgulanmıştır. Yaşlanma, ortam koşulları tarafından hafifletilebilen veya engellenebilen bir adaptasyon gerektirir. Aktif yaşlanmayı etkinleştirmek; yaşlanmanın birey, topluluklar ve bir bütün olarak toplum için olumlu bir deneyim olmasını sağlayan önceliktir. Aktif yaşlanma aynı zamanda çevremizi nasıl yönettiğimiz ve bunun sağlık ve güvenliği teşvik etmeye ne kadar elverişli olduğu ile ilgilidir. Çevre gerontologları için çevrenin fiziksel aktiviteyi nasıl destekleyebileceği ve yaşlıların bağımsızlıklarını nasıl koruyabilecekleri özellikle ilgi çekicidir. Aktif yaşlanma genellikle yaşam boyunca ekonomik, sosyal ve kültürel katılımı optimize etmeye yönelik bireysel veya toplu stratejilere atıfta bulunur. Sosyal ağlar, sosyal izolasyonu azaltmak ve sağlıklı bir sosyal yaşamı teşvik etmek için yaşlılara benzer insanlarla yeni sosyal bağlantılar kurma fırsatı verir. İnformel öğrenme, aktif yaşlanmanın önemli bir bileşenidir. Yaşlı yetişkinlerin topluma katkılarını en üst düzeye çıkarmak için yaşam boyu öğrenme, son yıllarda daha fazla önem kazanmıştır. Başarılı yaşlanma genellikle kişinin iyi yaşlandığı anlamına gelir ve genellikle sağlıklı ve yetkin terimleriyle eş anlamlıdır. Sağlıklı yaşamın yetişkinlere daha iyi yaşam kalitesi ve daha az kronik hastalık elde etmelerine yardımcı olma rolünün daha iyi anlaşılması, başarılı yaşlanmayı teşvik etmekle ilgili müdahaleler için fırsatlar sağlayabilir. Bu çalışmada, aktif yaşlanma felsefesi; sosyal ağlar, informel öğrenme, başarıya odaklanma ve yaşam kalitesi düzleminde incelenmektedir.

Humanity is on the threshold of recognizing the fundamental error in its view of life and death. Both death as well as active life is necessary to the vital formation of a larger, more essential whole. In this paper, I apply the sociology of knowledge and change as it pertains to death and focus on ways in which we can step outside its traditional frameworks and limitations. I also discuss topics related to death such as birth, aging, sickness, and war, and examine cultural differences in attitudes toward death. I offer varying perspectives including the Buddhist view and from these draw implications and conclusions. I apply the lenses of contemporary social scientists such as Edgar Morin, Kenneth Gergen, Edward Stewart, Milton Bennett, Mary Catherine Bateson, E. Doyle McCarthy, Philip Slater, and Piotr Sztompka. To these I add other relevant passages from the writings and speeches of key thinkers on the topic of death, in particular, Buddhist philosopher, peacebuilder, and educator, Daisaku Ikeda. To construct a more humanistic and sustainable view of life, it is first of all crucial to establish a culture which perceives death in its larger living context as but one cycle in the expansive eternity of life.

Estudos que investigam o comportamento humano em espaços abertos ressaltam que estar ao ar livre favorece o bem-estar físico e mental, refletindo positivamente na saúde e na qualidade de vida, notadamente dos idosos, devido à variedade de estímulos e às oportunidades de socialização oferecidas por esses ambientes. A fim de investigar o papel das praças públicas para o envelhecimento ativo, foi realizado um painel de experts, em que sete profissionais que trabalham com idosos na cidade de Natal/RN foram entrevistados. O roteiro de entrevista envolveu temas ligados ao envelhecimento ativo, socialização e suporte ambiental. As respostas foram trabalhadas por meio da análise de conteúdo e indicaram que os especialistas consideram as praças locais com grande potencial para a promoção do envelhecimento ativo, desde que disponham dos elementos que ofereçam o suporte necessário à permanência de idosos nela.

Studies that investigate the human behavior in open spaces emphasize that outdoor living promotes physical and mental well-being, reflecting positively on the health and on the quality of life, especially of the elderly, due to the variety of stimuli and socialization opportunities offered by these environments. In order to investigate the role of public squares in active aging, and panel of experts was formed, in which seven professionals who work with the elderly in the city of Natal/RN were interviewed. The script of the interview involved themes linked to active aging, socialization, and environmental support. The answers were treated by means of content analysis and they indicated that experts consider that the public squares can be suitable places with great potential to promote active aging, since they have the necessary elements to support the older people’s permanence there.

Los estudios que investigan el comportamiento humano en los espacios abiertos enfatizan que la práctica de actividades al aire libre promueve el bienestar físico y mental, lo que refleja positivamente en la calidad de vida especialmente en los ancianos, debido a la variedad de estímulos y oportunidades de socialización que estos ambientes ofrecen. Con el fin de investigar el papel de las plazas públicas para el envejecimiento activo, se realizó un panel de expertos a través de entrevistas con siete profesionales que trabajan con ancianos en Natal/RN. La entrevista involucró cuestiones relacionadas con el envejecimiento activo, socialización y apoyo ambiental. Las respuestas se analizaron mediante análisis de contenido y indicaron que las plazas pueden ser locales adecuados para los fines de envejecimiento activo, cuando hay elementos básicos que fomenten el apoyo necesario para la permanencia de los ancianos en ella.

Globalisation as a worldwide integrating force leads to changes in the social structures, values and mindsets of people. Parents raise their children expecting they would take care of them in old age but the globalised economy has given rise to a materialistic culture in which children migrate to other cities or countries. Parents accept this in the best interest of their children. Loneliness, depression and other mental health issues among the elderly population are common as a result. This paper is an attempt to explore spirituality as an adaptive tool in such situation. Data is collected from 20 elderly respondents living alone or with their spouses in the residential colonies in Delhi/NCR through semi-structured interviews. The data is analysed under the premise of Structuration Theory. It has been seen that spirituality is considered as a coping mechanism and a tool to manage their daily lives in a happier and more peaceful way.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLC.2018.10008930

Online publication date: Mon, 22-Jan-2018 is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

http://www.inderscience.com/offer.php?id=89539

Developing age-friendly cities and communities has become a
key part of policies aimed at improving the quality of life of older
people in urban areas. The World Health Organization has been
especially important in driving the “age-friendly” agenda, notably
through its global network of age-friendly cities and communities.
Despite the expansion and achievements of the network,
challenges remain in responding to the growth of inequality and
the impact of economic austerity on aging policies. Against the
background of these limitations, this article sets out a “manifesto
for the age-friendly movement” aimed at raising the aspirations
of what is now a worldwide movement. The areas covered in the
manifesto are challenging social inequality, widening participation,
coproducing and codesigning age-friendly communities,
encouraging multisectorial and multidisciplinary collaboration,
and integrating research with policy. The article concludes with
a discussion on developing age-friendly work as a contribution to
a new agenda for urban aging.

Traditionally, sociology has framed older age as a time of disengagement, withdrawal and reduced social integration. While now largely dismissed in contemporary sociological understandings of ageing, narratives of decline still feature heavily across social, media, and medical discourses. This negativity towards ageing could be at odds with how older people experience their age and identity. In this article, I will explore how 16 older people construct their self-identity. Drawing on participant-generated imagery and interview data, this article exposes that they experience older age as a time of continuity, discovery, possibility and change, where identity is multiple and fluid, and emerges through the links they make between the past, present and future. Thus, while ageing is not without its difficulties, the research participants challenge the social myths that reductively and negatively frame older age by constructing an identity that builds on their past through an active exploration of new possibilities and experiences.

RESUMO O perfil do "novo idoso" integra o Envelhecimento Ativo na busca pela participação. A internet auxilia este processo facilitando a informação e a organização de grupos com afinidades e objetivos comuns. As Senior Cohousings, comunidades intencionais, resgatam valores sociais e a sustentabilidade, favorecendo o Envelhecimento Ativo através da ampliação da capacidade funcional do idoso, do acesso a cuidados, da autonomia e da sociabilidade. Adquirem assim, significados físicos, psicológicos e sociais. Entretanto, poucos estudos aproximam a sustentabilidade à qualidade do lugar através da psicologia humana. Assim, busca-se traçar um perfil dos possíveis futuros usuários idosos dessas comunidades, pelo acompanhamento de postagens espontâneas em redes sociais e sites. Pretende-se (i) identificar as razões que levariam idosos a viver em cohousings no Brasil e (ii) avaliar a importância de fatores físicos, psicológicos e sociais nesta escolha, contribuindo para a ampliação da abordagem da sustentabilidade. Realizou-se pesquisa bibliográfica e análise de conteúdo em sites e grupos brasileiros sobre cohousing da rede social Facebook, com participantes idosos interessados neste modo de habitação. A análise, feita a partir de palavras-chave, identifica aspectos do significado da casa: Psicológica, Social, Econômica, Material, Temporal e Tempo-Espaço. Os resultados indicam prevalência de motivações nas categorias material e psicológica. Motivações psicológicas são quase tão frequentes quanto materiais, ressaltando a importância da dimensão anímica da sustentabilidade, na melhoria da qualidade dos espaços. Essa busca por amparo psicológico no ambiente de moradia pode ser creditada a perdas nas capacidades físicas, cognitivas e de inserção social dos idosos, resultando num sentimento de abandono e solidão. Mulheres representam mais de 80% dos depoimentos, refletindo talvez uma busca por afirmação de independência. Este novo perfil de idoso auxilia na compreensão do crescente interesse por moradias alternativas, especialmente pelas cohousing. ABSTRACT The profile of the "new elderly" integrates Active Aging in the seek of participation. The Internet helps this process by facilitating information and organization of groups with common affinities and goals. Senior Cohousings, as intentional communities, rescue social and sustainability values and favor Active Aging through the increase of the elderly's functional capacity, access to care, autonomy and sociability. Thus, they get physical, psychological and social meanings. However, few studies approach sustainability to quality of place through human psychology. Thereore, this study seeks to outline a profile of the possible future elderly users of these communities by monitoring spontaneous postings on social networks and sites. It is intended to (i) identify the reasons that would lead the elderly to live in cohousings in Brazil and (ii) to evaluate the importance of physical, psychological and social factors in this choice, contributing to the broadening of the sustainability approach. A bibliographic research was carried out and an analysis of content was conducted on Brazilian sites and groups about cohousing in Facebook with elderly participants interested in this type of housing. The analysis, made from keywords, identifies aspects of the home meaning: Psychological, Social, Economic, Material, Temporal and Time-Space. The results indicate the prevalence of motivations in the material and psychological categories. Psychological motivations are almost as frequent as materials, emphasizing the importance of the soul dimension of sustainability in improving the quality of spaces. This seek for psychological protection in the housing environment can be credited to losses in the physical, cognitive and social insertion capacities of the elderly, resulting in a feeling of abandonment and loneliness. Women represent more than 80% of testimonials, perhaps reflecting a quest for independence. This new profile of the elderly helps to understand the growing interest in alternative housing, especially for cohabitation.

Los museos como factor de integración social del arte en la comunidad. La experiencia del Voluntariado cultural de mayores Museums as a factor for the social integration of art in the community. The experience of cultural volunteering by members of the senior community Resumen Tras abordar la revisión de los museos como instituciones culturales encargadas de conservar la memoria cultural y su evo-lución a lo largo del tiempo, el artículo describe la práctica cultural que se está produciendo en el entorno español para re-alizar la difusión del arte, su reproducción y la transmisión de cultura, la historia y la identidad y el papel primordial que es-tán desempeñando paulatinamente las personas mayores en una sociedad española cada vez más envejecida. Estas nuevas actividades de fortalecimiento social, a partir del voluntariado de las personas mayores, están relacionadas con la «genera-tividad» (potencialidad de una generación) que, por este medio, la persona y los grupos sociales adquieren nuevas compe-tencias, lo que permite hacer más fuerte a una sociedad para todas las edades. Nunca, en la historia del Trabajo Social, han existido tantas personas mayores dispuestas a participar activa y comunitariamente y nunca ha pasado tan desapercibido pa-ra tantos agentes sociales un movimiento social de estas características. Palabras clave: empoderamiento, «generatividad», personas mayores, museo, voluntariado. Abstract After considering museums as cultural institutions responsible for preserving cultural memory and its evolution over time, this article describes the cultural practices within our society that are aimed at disseminating art and at reproducing and transmitting culture, history and identity. Further, it considers the key role that older people are steadily assuming in Spain's ageing society. New social-empowerment activities based on volunteering by the elderly are linked to generativity because the individual and social groups acquire new skills through those activities, thereby strengthening a society for all ages. Never in the history of social work have so many older people been prepared to participate actively at the community level, and never has a social movement with these features gone so unnoticed by so many social agents.

Durante las últimas décadas el porcentaje de población mayor de 65 años en España ha crecido de forma notable. Sin embargo, en España no se ha difundido suficientemente lo que supone ser mayor, más bien lo que persiste es una imagen social negativa de las personas mayores. Esta imagen se centra especialmente en los problemas que este grupo de población ocasiona al resto de la sociedad. Para conocer mejor esta situación y sus consecuencias, el conflicto intergeneracional, el texto ofrece una panorámica que incluye y analiza los diferentes aspectos que conforman dicha visión negativa. A partir de aquí el artículo aborda la construcción del camino hacia la sociedad intergeneracional partiendo de una experiencia europea de aprendizaje intergeneracional. Se incluyen, para finalizar, varias propuestas desde el ámbito pedagógico.

Ageing populations are a major consideration for socio-economic development in the early twenty first century. This demographic change is mainly seen as a threat rather than as an opportunity to improve the quality of human life, especially in Europe, where ageing has resulted in a reduction in economic competitiveness. Economic Foundations for Creative Ageing Policy mixes the silver economy, the creative economy, and the social economy to construct positive solutions for an ageing population. Klimczuk covers theoretical analyses and case study descriptions of good practices to suggest strategies that could be internationally popularized.

Contents:
Foreword by Harry R. Moody
Foreword by Kathrin Komp
Introduction
1. Old Age as a Stage in the Life Course and the Life Cycle
2. Forms of Older People's Capital
3. Creativity and Ageing: Concepts and Controversies
4. Mixed Economy and Multisectoral Approach to Population Ageing
5. Silver, Creative, and Social Economies as Positive Responses to Population Ageing
6. Benefits at the Interface Between Economic Systems
Conclusion
Afterword by Lukasz Tomczyk

A. Klimczuk, Economic Foundations for Creative Ageing Policy, Volume I: Context and Considerations, Palgrave Macmillan, New York 2015.

This study aimed to examine older adults' physical activity intentions and preferred implementation intentions, and how intentions and preferred implementation intentions differ between older, middle aged and younger adults. A cross-sectional Australian wide telephone survey of 1217 respondents was conducted in 2016. Multiple and ordinal regression analyses were conducted to compare intentions and preferred implementation intentions between older (65 +), middle aged (45–64) and younger adults (\ 45). A higher percentage of older adults had no intentions to engage in regular physical activity within the next 6 months (60%) compared to younger adults (25%). Older adults' most popular preferences included being active at least once a day and for 30 min or less and were more likely to prefer more frequent and shorter sessions compared to younger adults. Both older and middle aged adults were more likely to prefer slower paced physical activity compared to younger adults who preferred fast paced physical activity. Physical activity interventions for older adults should address the high percentage of older adults with no intentions and public health campaigns for older adults should promote 30 min daily sessions of slow paced activity.

RESUMEN
El envejecimiento y la urbanización de la población son dos tendencias que caracterizan el siglo XXI. “A medida que las ciudades
crecen, sus proporciones de residentes de 60 años de edad y más va en aumento”.
Hace cuatro décadas atrás, se creía que la longevidad estaba determinada por factores genéticos. Hoy sabemos que la propensión
a desarrollar patologías relacionadas con la edad y la calidad de vida de la población que envejece está sujeta a las múltiples
negociaciones que se establecen entre los heterogéneos sujetos y sus entornos.
Inicialmente una vivienda satisfactoria es uno de los más importantes componentes de la calidad de vida para este colectivo;
pero para mantener la autonomía residencial, las personas mayores necesitan la posibilidad de acceder y participar de diferentes
dispositivos distribuidos en el territorio.
Por esto, el presente trabajo analiza el fenómeno del envejecimiento poblacional a través de la relación de las personas mayores
con su entorno en diferentes escalas territoriales. Se exponen resultados de estudios de campo de tipo cualitativo profundizando
en la relación entre la vivienda y el entorno urbano; a nivel barrial, se ha relevado el área céntrica de la ciudad de Mar del Plata en
función de categorías planteadas desde la Guía de ciudades amigables; y a escala ciudad, las diferencias territoriales en función de
análisis de datos estadísticos georreferenciados.
Estos estudios permiten entender las diferencias socio espaciales del envejecimiento y enmarcar estrategias diferenciadas que
permitan la igualdad de oportunidades para que las personas envejezcan positivamente.
ABSTRACT
The aging and urbanization of the population are two tendencies that characterizes the twenty-first century. “As cities grow, their
proportions of residents 60 years and older is increasing.”
Four decades ago, it was thought that longevity was determined by genetic factors. Today we know that propensity to develop
age-related diseases age and quality of life of the aging population depends on multiple negotiations established between heterogeneous
individuals and their environments.
Initially, one of the most important components of quality of life for this group is a satisfactory housing, but for maintaining the
residential autonomy, older people need the opportunity to access and participate in different devices spread in the territory.
That is why this study examines the aging of the population through ratio of older people with their environment at different territorial
scales.
Are exposed: results from field studies of a qualitative type inquiring about housing and the immediate environment; it has
gathered at the neighborhood level the downtown city area information according to categories raised by The Guide from Friendly
Cities; the territorial differences at the city level were studied by analysis of geo-referenced statistical data.
These studies help understand socio-spatial differences of aging and framing differentiated strategies that allow equal opportunities
for people get older positively.

Yaşlanma vizyonunda yaşlı insanlar; ailelerinin, arkadaşlarının ve toplumlarının yaşamlarına güçlü ve sürekli bir katkı sağlamaktadırlar. Aktif yaşlanma, insanlar yaşlandıkça yaşam kalitesini artırmak için sağlık, katılım ve güvenlik fırsatlarını optimize etme sürecidir. Sağlıklı yaşlanmaya artan bir vurgu iklimi sağlığın geliştirilmesi, sağlığın korunması ve yaşam kalitesine odaklanmaktadır. Yaşlı insanlar bağımsızlıklarını ve refahlarını ne kadar uzun süre koruyabilirlerse, kendileri ve yakınları o kadar iyi durumda olabilir. Aktif yaşlanmayı teşvik etmeye yönelik bir politika eylemi, kültürel klişelerin ve algılanan ayrımcılığın potansiyel tehditlerini ve olumsuz etkilerini dikkate almalıdır. Öznel esenlik, olumlu duygulanımın varlığı ve genel olarak yaşam doyumunun bilişsel bir değerlendirmesiyle ilgilidir. Yaşlı insanların çoğunluğu mümkün olduğu kadar uzun süre kendi evlerinde kalmak istediğinden ve kurumsal bakımın maliyetleri hızla arttığından, yeni ve daha kapsamlı bakım sistemleri ve modelleri gereklidir. Daha uzun bir yaşam beklentisi şüphesiz toplumda bir başarı olarak yorumlansa da yönetilmesinin o kadar kolay olmadığı ekonomik çıkarımlara sahiptir. Aktif yaşlanma; önleme, teşvik ve bakıma dayalı bir dizi politika müdahalesi yoluyla da başarılabilir. Aktif yaşlanmanın teşvik edilmesine yönelik sosyal itici güçler, toplumun yaşlı insanlara karşı ahlaki yükümlülükleri bağlamında görülebilir. İnsanların yaşamasına ve iyi yaşlanmasına nasıl yardım edileceğini anlama arayışı devam etmektedir. Bu çalışmada, aktif yaşlanmada çevresel parametreler; ayrımcılık, sağlık, bakım ve sosyal politikalar düzleminde incelenmektedir.

Background: The academic literature contains little information regarding the interventions that create age-friendly cities and communities in order to promote active ageing. Objectives: A systematic review was carried out to determine the available empirical evidence in relation to the characteristics, content and effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving environmental and psychosocial risk factors for older people, from the perspective of age-friendly communities and the promotion of active ageing. Methods: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, the studies retained in this review were identified through a systematic search of the academic literature in selected electronic databases including Web of Science and Scopus. Independent critical appraisal and data extraction were conducted by two reviewers. The checklist was used to assess the quality of the articles. Findings: The search identified 1020 potentially eligible documents, of which 11 satisfied the established criteria. Non-exhaustive practices prevailed over rigorous investigations, with a high proportion of studies observed to be of low methodological quality and at high risk of bias. This reflected the predominance of uncontrolled interventions. Environmental interventions were focused on reducing risk and adapting the everyday environmental setting, while psychosocial interventions prioritised social strategies (behavioural changes, promotion of participation) and training. Interventions were more effective in certain domains of age-friendly cities and communities such as transportation and housing, followed by increased participation as a lifestyle-related behavioural change. The inferred changes were associated with providing information and enhancing skills; modifying access, barriers, exposures, and opportunities; enhancing services and support; continuity and effectiveness of changes over time; and modifying policies based on the bottom-up approach of age-friendly cities and communities (AFCC). Discussion and conclusion: Interventions focused on personal and organisational aspects might have positive effects in the longer term. However, fewer changes would be observed in interventions revolving around changing lifestyles owing to the impact of complex multi-causal factors. The relative effectiveness in terms of health calls into question the design of interventions and the supposed "friendliness" of certain communities. There is a need to encourage sound longitudinal research aimed at providing key knowledge for the implementation and evaluation of public policies, and to encourage age-friendly community programmes to promote active ageing.

Résumé

À partir d’une étude sur l’engagement en formation dans les universités et les universités Tous âges, l’article interroge la notion de vieillissement « actif » à travers l’analyse des rapports que les retraités entretiennent face à la formation. Pris dans une tension entre un pôle culturel et un pôle économique, le vieillir en restant « actif » par la formation ne se limite plus au seul rapport culturel. D’autres types de rapports se dessinent : s’occuper, se rendre utile, se reconvertir, qui rendent compte des enjeux contemporains de l’activité de formation dans ce temps de l’existence.

Abstract

Active aging and education in retirement

On the basis of a study of participation in education in regular universities and universities labelled “for all ages,” this article investigates the concept of active aging through an analysis of retirees’ attitudes toward and relationship with learning. With cultural interests pulling in one direction and economic forces in another, aging while staying “active” through continuing education is no longer limited to the cultural sphere. Other relationships to learning — keeping busy, being useful, taking up a new career — are developing that reflect contemporary issues pertaining to education as an activity in this stage of life.

Numerous discourses on “good aging” provide different perspectives on what older people are, what they can and ought to do, and where they should be. Policy texts often present such discourses together, as if they were aligned. In our study, we found that that these two discourses sometimes also clash under the current, concrete strategies that have been designed to help people carry out good aging. We conducted an ethnographic study on the introduction of a telecare system in older people's homes. The telecare service consisted of a personal alarm system that elderly people could use to obtain assistance at home in case of emergency. The analysis revealed that telecare arrangements shaped particular forms of good aging by demanding identity, memory, and boundary work to align the user with the system. In these practices, “active aging” and “aging in place” sometimes clashed due to the telecare requirements that proscribed a fragile, homebound user. Actual users, however, someti...

A partir de los años 80 del siglo XX se producen prejubilaciones masivas, consecuencia de la necesidad de reorganización de procesos productivos de empresas, y de la reducción de excedentes de plantilla. Por esas mismas fechas la legislación de los gobiernos socialistas (1982-1996) comienza a fraguar un incipiente y deseado “estado del bienestar”, donde los prejubilados jóvenes con poder adquisitivo aumentan en España; un sector de población con necesidades de ocio y ocupación. La ficción audiovisual fue consciente de ello, pero no de forma igualitaria. Mientras el storytelling publicitario y las series de televisión incorporaban personajes “maduros” o “envejecientes” en sus tramas, el cine quedó prácticamente ajeno a este nuevo perfil de consumidor de ocio audiovisual. Este trabajo analiza algunos de los títulos fílmicos de esa fecha, los perfiles de personajes referidos y su vinculación a la realidad social del momento con objeto de reflexionar sobre su construcción y funcionamiento en el relato fílmico.

In various countries there are studies aimed at characterizing social representations on aging, but little is known about their relations with other representations. The present study proposes to characterize those relations through the notion of representational systems. An exploratory survey has been conducted with 151 Italian undergraduate students. They have completed evocation tasks about seven social objects linked to aging and also rated the distances among them. Distance ratings went through similarity analysis, while a prototypical analysis was carried out for aging and three objects: death, health and family. The results indicate possible content connections among representation elements and suggest a conjunction relationship between aging and family. The notion of representational systems opens possibilities for more refined representational characterizations.

She was educated at the Comenius University, Faculty of Philosophy, where she received the PhDr degree in ethnography and obtained the CSc (PhD.) degree from the Slovak Academy of Sciences. From 2005-2017 she also led the Holocaust Documentation Center in Bratislava. She is the author of six books and over 80 papers published in specialized journals in Slovakia and abroad. In 2018 she was the Visiting Fellow at the Mandel Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies in U. S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. Her research interests include the representation of the Holocaust in present-day Slovakia, communication of the past between generations, and politics of memory after the fall of communism.

Japan has the highest ageing rate worldwide, with currently 25 % of the population aged above 65 years.
The problem of ageing is particularly present in rural areas. The research project deals with three rural
municipalities: Kosuge in Yamanashi prefecture and Minamiaiki and Kitaaiki in Nagano prefecture facing
ageing and depopulation problems. The three municipalities are similar in area (Kitaaiki 56 km², Minamiaiki
66 km², Kosuge 62 km²) and population size (Kitaaiki 842, Minamiaiki 1.121, Kosuge 816 [statistical data
from 2010]), and the proportion of people older than 65 years is above national average (Kitaaiki 40 %,
Minamiaiki 37 %, Kosuge 45 % [statistical data from 2010, see MIC 2010B]). All three municipalities are in
mountainous areas, within two hours driving distance from Tokyo.
The qualitative study research is linked with the concept of Active Ageing, a term that was coined by the
World Health Organization in the 1990ies to emphasize the participation of elderly in economic, social,
cultural, spiritual and civic affairs.
Qualitative research methods (interviews, participatory observation, ethnographic filming) were used. The
research sites were visited during two fieldwork stays (in total 67 days) in autumn 2013 and in summer 2014.
The project researchers conducted interviews with 19 experts and 30 semi-structured narrative interviews
with 38 key informants aged 65 – 74, 75 – 84 and 85+, and produced a scientific film reportage of 35
minutes length.

On the municipal level, the focus of the project was put on the infrastructure in high aged, sparsely
populated communities in respect to mobility, local supply and services for daily life, medical care and social
networks, with following questions: To what extent do the study communities enhance the activities of the
older population, and how do they counteract the problems of ageing and depopulation? On the individual
level, the attention was directed on the questions: How far is a high degree of active ageing linked with
agricultural activities, and in how far people in sparsely populated, overaged communities have weaker
gender roles?
Municipal governments put efforts in the revitalization of the communities, centering especially on two
target groups: elderly residents and young newcomers. For the older population, municipal administrations
try to improve, or at least secure, the living conditions, e.g. in providing housing renewal subsidies,
facilitating mobility with a municipal bus or a pick-up and drop-off service for communal activities, offering
welfare, organizing social meetings and educational, cultural events for seniors, or providing facilities for
recreational activities. Two common hobbies among our key informants are gateball and malett golf.
Gateball is a popular sport among seniors in Japan, practiced not only to maintain physical and mental
fitness, but also for the purpose of social interaction with peers. These municipal activities aim at the
preservation of health, activity and mobility of elderly, so that they can stay as long as possible independent.
With an increasing number of senior single households, whose children have moved to more urban areas,
care for elderly is not taken for granted by the family members, but has become a task of the community
(municipality). In this regard, Japan has introduced the long-term care insurance system in 2000, which is
the financing backup of welfare services for elderly. The rising number of elderly and decreasing number of
taxpayers however keeps a financial challenge for the small rural municipalities, as they have to cover 12.5 %
of the welfare costs.
The initiatives for newcomers are targeted on young people and especially families. The municipal
authorities offer housing facilities for newcomers (partly systematically in villages with a very high rate of
elderly), and other benefits such as subsidies for commuting. Two municipalities also initiated the
governmental program Rural revitalization corps (Chiiki okoshi kyōryokutai), in which newcomers (mostly
in their 20ies and 30ies) are employed three years at the municipality, in order to support the revitalization
of the community. All three municipalities also put effort in matchmaking activities, such as parties, where
bachelors from the area can meet.
The qualitative interviews with 38 key informants aged 65+ shows a strong engagement in agricultural work,
mostly on subsistence level. Small-scale farming is for the elders not only a means of supporting the
household budget and of enhancing physical fitness, but it is also relevant from the social aspect, since the
harvest is shared with neighbors and family. Agricultural activity is regarded by our experts as healthy and
good against dementia due to the physical exercise and social exchange. Also the fact, that agricultural work
can be continued until high age, the abrupt change of lifestyle, which e.g. urban employees experience, when
entering retirement, is missing and is beneficial for the active ageing process of the rural seniors.
In general, communal social meetings (e.g. events of the senior citizens association, health courses organized
by the municipality office) are dominated by female seniors, who also tend to have more informal networks.
Men, thus confirming conventional gender roles, however occupy functions such as the leader of the senior
citizen’s association or village head.
Active ageing is especially important in depopulated, overaged rural communities, where elderly are often
on their own. In our study sites, the elderly therefore do their best in staying fit and leading an independent
life, in order to avoid becoming a burden for their family or the community. On the other side, they
consciously choose therefore to stop certain activities, such as driving the car, to avoid the burden, in case
they should cause trouble to their environment.

En el año del envejecimiento activo, planteamos un estudio piloto en el que se ha pretendido establecer la relación entre el constructo Calidad de Vida y participación social, a través de la formación artística en la educación no formal de personas mayores. Con este fin se ha elaborado e implementado un instrumento de evaluación, creado adhoc, a una muestra aleatoria de usuarios de la Escola de Gent Gran, del Centre Municipal d’Estudis Rafel Martí de Viciana (Burriana, Castellón). Tras los análisis de resultados, podemos afirmar que, para la muestra, la formación artística favorece una mejor Calidad de Vida.

Dear colleagues, we invite you to take part in the largest editorial project on Inequality -
Mapping Global Inequality - Major Reference Work Book Series being published by
Springer Nature, United States.
The Series encompasses 30+ volumes, but we will publish individual calls for
contributions to each volume separately. In this call for contribution, we are particularly
seeking authors for the volume on: Inequality and Aging
we aim to address the following questions:
1. What does inequality mean for the elderly population?
2. How do we know there is gross inequality in the lives of elderly?
3. What does available data say about global inequality and ageing?
4. How are different societies across the globe tackling inequality with a growing
elderly population?

Social scientists along with policy makers attempt to explain older people’s place in society and their role in the labor and consumer markets, as well as to determine the state’s and younger generations’ obligations toward seniors. Some approaches suggest redefining old age; others erase age boundaries completely and suggest ignoring the peculiarities of old age. Along with age divisions, the conventional norms and patterns of aging are also erased and redefined. Age and aging come not only to challenge globalization and national systems of administration, but also to give rise to personal issues linked with finding new identities and socially relevant models of behavior. The term normativity with its multiple meanings may help facilitate dialogue
between the different layers of this phenomenon, from personal to global.

"This article is informed by recent trends in narrative research that focus on the meaning-making actions of those involved in describing the life course. Drawing upon data generated during a series of interactive interviews with a 70-year-old physically active man named Fred, his story is presented to illustrate a strategic model of narrative activity. In particular, using the concepts of `big stories' and `small stories' as an analytical framework, we trace Fred's use of two specific identities; being fit and healthy , and being leisurely to analyse the ways that he accomplishes an ontological narrative where the plot line reads; `Life is what you make it'. The ways in which this narrative enables Fred to perform a narrative of positive self-ageing in his everyday life is illustrated. Finally, the analytical possibilities of being attentive to both big and small stories in narrative analysis are discussed.

Key words: ageing, big stories, identity construction, small stories"