Mature and Older Adults’ Perception of Active Ageing and the Need for Supporting Services: Insights from a Qualitative Study

Abstract

The improvement in life expectancy, economic conditions, and technological and medical progress have radically changed the demographic structure of many societies. Since many countries now have an ageing population, by adopting a life-course study perspective, this paper aims to explore the needs of older adults (over 60), and the currently adult population which will become older in the coming decades (50–60 years). In detail, the study investigates the lifestyles of the target populations by focusing on two main areas concerning health (healthy diet; attitudes towards physical activity) and socio-relational-housing and living conditions (social housing, senior co-housing in rural environments, etc.). A qualitative study was carried out based on 16 in-depth interviews developed over one month (February 2022). The conduct of the interviews was supported by the Italian Center for Sensory Analysis (CIAS). Emerging from the results, the concept of active ageing is perceived by mature and older adults in a positive and optimistic way. The sample considered want to re-engage in life, continuing to be active, useful, and maintaining their self-esteem, social life and independence. However, despite older people’s major concerns being preserve their physical abilities and social integration, this target group adopts behaviours focused more on current well-being rather than worrying too much about how this well-being will change as they age.

How Active Are European Seniors—Their Personal Ways to Active Ageing? Is Seniors’ Activity in Line with the Expectations of the Active Ageing Strategy?

“…The AA strategy is a response to the ageing of the population and thus the increase in life expectancy. These changes in the demographic structure of many societies are the result of changes in economic and living conditions, technological and medical developments [16]. The AA concept is based on the three pillars outlined in the WHO report [1].…”

“…With a more holistic, life-course-oriented approach [19,20], AA benefits all generations and societies as a whole and leads to sustain-able economic development [21,22]. Currently, it is natural for successive generations to pursue the priorities of good health, active engagement at work and involvement in social activities, being independent in daily life [16,23]. The AA strategy is to enable seniors to remain active and in good health for longer [6,18].…”

“…Minghetti et al [26] indicate that the loss of physical strength in sixty-year-olds is significant, and in the eighth decade of life, isometric strength is 20-40% lower than among 30-40-year-old adults. For this reason, AA can also be considered through the prism of meeting health and social service needs [16]. Physical inactivity, on the other hand, is an important current problem as it leads to negative health consequences including cognitive decline and the occurrence of diseases, which in turn can be considered as a reason to give up active life [17, [28][29][30][31].…”

“…Acting within the framework of AA requires looking at seniors from a different perspective and rejecting stereotypes that persist in societies. The most commonly observed stereotypes of seniors' perceptions mentioned in the literature concern aimlessness and dependence, lack of social roles, illness (ailments), withdrawal, mental and psychical inactivity [16,19,33]. There are even stereotypes indicating how older people should behave [34].…”

“…Today's seniors can no longer be classified as people in decline and excluded from society [35]. Much depends on governments and local authorities in the effectiveness of AA activities [16,36]. Also, seniors should strive to overthrow stereotypes [34] and not accept them as exponents of appropriate behaviour.…”