A Brief Literature Review on Positive Ageing
Active ageing is an emerging global policy that refers to the process of facilitating
opportunities for the participation, health and security of people in order that the quality
of their lives will be enhanced as they age. The World Health Organization’s (WHO)
Active Ageing Framework that was launched in 2002 has generated various policy
interpretations and implementations by member countries of the Organization for
Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) including Australia, Canada, New
Zealand, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the U.S.A. The broad determinants of this
approach include culture, gender and economic determinants, and allied to this is “The
Solid Facts” WHO publication in 2003 which touches on the social determinants of
health across a lifespan including social gradient, stress and work.[1]
Canada and Mexico developed the document “A Guide for the Development of a
Comprehensive System of Support to Promote Active Ageing” (2003), which focuses on
a comprehensive system of support to promote active ageing. The Policy Research
Initiative’s (PRI) report, “Encouraging Choice in Work and Retirement Project Report”
(2005), seeks to find out the social and economic implications of ageing in the Canadian
labor market. The OECD report, “Ageing and Employment Policies: Canada 2005”,
calls for increased workforce participation by older workers and combining pensions
with work income.[2]
The “New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy” (2001) seeks to provide policy and service
in broad areas and form a positive ageing society, where people 65 years and older are
given opportunities to participate as they desire in society.[3]
Sweden’s public health policy in 2003 calls for the improvement of public health equally
across the entire population. The public health report, “A Healthier Elderly Population in
Sweden” (2004), suggests creating strong social networks among the elderly to reduce
isolation, encouraging older people to participate in social and cultural activities and
providing them safe housing and communities.[4]
The white paper, “Our Health, Our Care, Our Say: A New Direction for Community
Services”, in the United Kingdom, holds that reforms will enable the creation of a
framework for the rapid delivery of health and social care services to the people who
need them. The briefing, “Life Long Learning” (2002), stresses the commitment of the
Better Government for Older People (BGOP) committee to establishing links between
learning and policies, while the “Older and Bolder” government measure works for
making education programs relevant and accessible to older people.[5]
The “Older American Act” (OAA) created by the U.S.A. in 1965 which remain relevant
today have the objectives of providing the elderly with adequate income in retirement,
the best physical and mental health in all economic groups, and suitable and affordable
housing, among others. The U.S.A. also launched the ten year health promotion
program, “Healthy People 2010”, in 2000, which seeks to eliminate health disparities
based on such factors as gender, race and income and education. It also recognizes
that the way people have led their whole lives impacts the quality of their life as they
age.[6]
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) issued its “Health Action Plan” in 2002, which
calls for a broad, cross-sectoral approach to address the social determinants of health
and wellbeing including the social gradient, stress, early life, work and social support.
The “Healthy and Meaningful Ageing: Strategic Plan 2006-2008” of 2006 identifies
priority areas for action and research including community recognition of the dignity and
worth of older people, the providing of programs for the enhancement of the physical
and mental health of the elderly and the facilitation of affordable housing and safe living
for them. The “Improving with Age: Our Ageing Plan for South Australia” issued by the
government of South Australia (SA) in 2006 concentrates on allowing seniors choice
and independence on where they live, staying healthy and linking with the community,
and on recognizing their work contributions as grandparents, care-givers and
volunteers.[7]
The “Tasmanian Plan for Positive Ageing 2000-2005” issued by Tasmania in 1999
addresses such issues as promoting more positive attitudes toward ageing and older
people in the community, and increasing seniors’ participation in community
employment, voluntary service and recreation.[8]
[1] Terese Hutchison et al, “A Review of the Literature on Active Ageing”, University of Canberra, pdf,
September 2006, <http://www.canberra.edu.au/centres/healthpact/attachments/pdf/active-ageing.pdf>
[accessed 10 June 2011]
[2] ibid
[3] ibid
[4] ibid
[5] ibid
[6] ibid
[7] ibid
[8] ibid
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