Ageing Well Framework

Active Ageing “….the process of optimising opportunities for health, participation and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age. It allows people to realise their potential for wellbeing throughout their lives and to participate in society according to their needs, desires and capabilities while providing them with adequate protection, security and care when they need assistance” WHO 2002

Determinants of Active Ageing

Comparable Frameworks Determinants of active ageingComponents for Age friendly communities Health and social servicesDisease prevention and promotion of physical activity, healthy diet, health literacy. Social protection systems based on intra and intergenerational Behavioural determinantsActive participation in volunteering, recreation, social networks etc. Personal determinantsPositive attitude to ageing recognising value of all age groups’ contribution. Asset based approach Physical environmentAccessible outdoor spaces buildings, transport and housing Social determinantsVoice in the decision making and research processes; lifelong and intergenerational learning Economic determinantsInclusive labour market solidarity; goods and services that are adapted to the needs of all

Asset based philosophy Need to address the ‘negative narrative’ Need to shift from ‘deficit approach’ Asset based philosophy – Recognise that older people have strengths and capabilities – Construct initiatives to maximise and support these ‘assets’ – Enable older people to make a positive contribution

From deficit to asset approach Deficit approachAsset approach Starts with deficiencies and needs Starts with assets in the community Responds to problemsIdentifies opportunities and strengths Provides services to usersInvests in people as citizens Emphasises role of agenciesEmphasises the role of civil society Focuses on individualsFocuses on communities and neighbourhoods Sees people as clients and service users Sees people as citizens and co-producers as something to offer Treats people as passive and ‘done to’ Helps people to take control of their lives ‘Fixes people’Supports people to develop their potential Adapted from “A glass half full…”, IDEA, 2010

Good practice Unlocking Potential Project (Northern Ireland) 5 yr project to enable and empower older people to take part in volunteering Multigenerational Houses (Germany) Community centres where different generations meet and support each other. Let’s talk about ageing (Czech Republic) Campaign against age discrimination.

Employee volunteering Employment in later life and the transition into retirement is a key issue Longer lives challenge old models Remaining actively engaged is vital to health and wellbeing Volunteering as a transition into ‘retirement’

Good practice Exchanges et Consultations Techniques Internationaux – ECTI (France) Recruits, supports and deploys volunteers providing advice and assistance to SME’s Flex – Seniority (Denmark) Improving age-friendly practices in companies Encore Careers (USA) Defining a new stage in life and work and helping people make the transition

Loneliness and Isolation Need clarity about definition Evidence demonstrates seriousness of impact on health Prevalence relatively stable across time Various risk factors Becoming socially engaged is a significant protective factor Psychological dimension needs attention too

Good practice Buddy Buddy Service (Netherlands) matching volunteers with socially excluded older people FriDA (Germany) neighbourhood based network of volunteer support to promote active ageing Full of Life (UK) Peer to peer community based promotion of emotional resilience skills using CBT

Intergenerational solidarity Ageing society and changes in attitudes and lifestyles has had big impact on interaction between generations Outside of family very little contact Important role of grandparents Age friendly communities offer a holistic and integrated approach

Good practice Generations: Saint-Apollinaire (France) creating services within the same place serving several generations Social Web Skills (Austria, Slovenia, Germany) transferring skills using new information and communication technologies Grandmentors (UK) harnessing the energy and experience of older volunteers to support young people to stay in work or education

Life long learning Important to enable people to participate in labour market longer Helps to improve health and wellbeing A citizenship right? Economic benefits for societies as well Different forms – formal, non-formal, informal Increasing delivery through NGO’s and voluntary effort

Good practice Moving Stories and Generations (EU) Giving older and younger people and migrants the skills to communicate effectively and thus make an active contribution to their communities New Horizons for Active Seniors (Germany & Czech Republic) Intercultural initiative focussing on the positive contribution that older people make Volunteer Seniors in Schools (Denmark, Latvia & Sweden) Older volunteers working in schools as mentors, role models and guides