an article of Cristina Roman Bleeder, Degree in psychology
During the II World Assembly of the United Nations on the Agingheld in 2002 in Madrid, the World Health Organization contributed a political framework that sought to promote health and aging asset. His main goal was to make old age a positive experience.
The concept “Active Aging” It was proposed by the WHO at the end of the years 90 to replace the concept of “healthy aging”. He defined it as “he process of optimizing opportunities for health, participation and safety with the aim of in order to improve the quality of life as people age. (WHO, 2002).
This new approach, which replaces strategic planning, is “based on the needs” instead of “in rights”recognizing the equal opportunities and deal In all aspects of life. There are compelling economic reasons for enacting programs that promote active ageing, since it increases participation longer in the world of work and reduces support costs due to disability and poor health (Provincial Council of Bizkaia, 2010).
The term “asset” refers to a continued participation in the social, economic, cultural, spiritual and civic dimensionsand not only to ability to be physically active. Its objective is to broaden the hope of healthy living and quality of life as one ages, including frail people, disabled or in need of assistance.
This conception must be taken in a broad sense, since it not only implies the care of their own health, but also the participatory insertion in society. The Activities that are part of this paradigm should promote motivation intrinsic, prioritizing singular and significant elements for each person. For this reason, they must be formulated in a participatory, comprehensive, flexible, quality, evaluable, sustainable and innovative.
The General Assembly of the United Nations (resolution 46/91) created some principles in favor of the elderly that are: independence, dignity, self-actualization, care and participation (United Nations, 1991). Following these United Nations principles, active aging is framed in three fundamental pillars, which are the following (WHO, 2002):
Health
Active aging is a fundamental resource to reach the potential of quality of life and significance in the life cycle, so it is applicable to any health status and level of autonomy. The World Health Organization notes that “To promote active ageing, it is necessary for health systems to have a perspective of the complete life cycle and are oriented towards the promotion of health, disease prevention and equitable access to both primary care and quality long-term care”.
Stake
Older people will continue to contribute productively to society in both paid and unpaid activities, in accordance with their rights basic human, capabilities, needs and preferences.
Security
It is necessary to guarantee protection, dignity and assistance in the event that cannot be maintained and protected. Security is a conquest both social and individual, something that is the responsibility of the State and the person. To achieve the objective of active ageing, it is necessary to work intersectoral coordination with measures from both the health and social sector, as well as from education, employment, economy, etc. All policies must support the intergenerational solidarity and reduce gender inequalities within the older population.
as a result of International Plan of Action on Aging (United Nations, 2002) marks a turning point in the awareness of the challenges of a aging world. The active aging movement of all ages is encouraged. stakeholders, it is necessary to support the three pillars of action with the development of activities and investigations and international agencies, countries and regions are urged to work collaboratively.
In 2012, within the framework of the tenth anniversary of the II World Assembly of Aging and in the European Year of Active Aging and of Intergenerationality was created on Active Aging Index (Active Aging Index-AAI). Its objective is to contribute empirical data to the development of policies so that they are not oriented exclusively to the welfare of the elderly person, but also have possible contributions to the economy and society.
It has four dimensions: employment, activity and social participation, way of life autonomous, independent and confident and capacity for healthy aging. These four domains are measured by 22 indicators of an objective nature, although each one of them has a specific weight. Thus, employment and social participation imply 35% each, independent life 10% and abilities 20%. (Advice State for the Elderly, 2017).
As a result of the development of this Index, the definition of Active aging, generalized by the WHO since 2002, is modified by the following: “He active aging refers to the situation in which people continue to participate in the labor market, as well as in other unpaid productive activities (such as providing care to family members and volunteering) and live healthy lives, independent and confident as they age” (Echevarria, 2014).
The three pillars described above incorporate the economic dimension, that It consists of the insertion of the elderly in the labor market. I also know adds a fifth dimension intergenerational solidaritywhich involves all generations, not just older people. (State Council for the Elderly, 2017).
This new conception of the term Active Aging promotes processes of aging socially active and not only personally activeas wrongly considered. It is very common for the population to consider the term “asset” as people in good physical condition. This misconception is It may be due to a literal translation of the term “Active Aging”. not be clear This distinction implies problems when it comes to implementing interventions within of this paradigm for the elderly.
It is important that both social policies and theories come into line with each other. agreement regarding the terminology to be used and reach the largest number of people.
About the author: Cristina Roman Bleeder
Cristina Roman Bleeder She has a degree in Psychology from the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), an Official Master’s Degree in Gerontology, Dependency and Protection of the Elderly from the University of Granada (UGR) and a University Expert in Neurodegenerative Diseases: “Dementias”, from the University of Almería ( UAL) with training in Psychological Interventions in Palliative Care and Grief Units. Currently, she is immersed in the active search for work related to the field of Gerontology.