It’s common for everyone to realise that the ageing process is inevitable. However, how many of them consider the possibility of growing old in an environment that promotes their well-being and a high quality of life, especially when life expectancy continues to increase? Although longevity is often seen as a positive development, driven by economic, social and biomedical advances, it also represents a significant challenge in this 21st century (CABRAL; FERREIRA, 2014).
This reality has therefore emphasised the urgency of social adjustment and given rise to the creation of new approaches so that the elderly can enjoy a more productive daily life (WHO, 2015), as well as the development of resources to deal more effectively with the challenges they face (SOUSA; GALANTE; FIGUEIREDO, 2003).
In this context, the World Health Organisation (WHO) introduces the concept of active ageing as a fundamental element for successful ageing. The concept of quality of life is multifaceted, encompassing physical health, psychological well-being, the degree of autonomy, social connections, personal convictions and interpersonal relationships within the environment in which one lives. Therefore, quality of life is defined as an individual’s perception of their position in society, considering the cultural context and value systems to which they belong, as well as in relation to their own goals, expectations, standards and concerns (WHO, 1997, as cited in KIM, 2014). Active ageing presumes empowering the individual to promote their own quality of life and well-being, emphasising the importance of including the older person as an active participant in decisions and care plans. The ageing process can indeed be a rewarding experience (LIMA et al., 2008), allowing older people to establish a relationship between active ageing and success in old age (LIMA et al., 2016), and to experience a sense of well-being in relation to health.
We are then seeing the development of intervention plans to promote positive psychological states among the elderly, in which education is an essential tool (Antunes, 2017).
Older people have the ability to reflect on their own journey in the quest for active and harmonious ageing in a constantly evolving society. However, in order to achieve this, it is essential that the individual is actively involved in the ageing process, recognising themselves as an integral part of it, where the end result will be shaped by their participation throughout the normal course of human development.
We must always bear in mind that individuals have the ability to update themselves, which implies understanding and being aware of their own ageing process. And it’s this awareness that we must work on and develop new paradigms for so that they become more receptive to new challenges, making them more inclined to chart new paths and explore new experiences.
Source:
Mendes, José. (2020). Envelhecimento(s), qualidade de vida e bem-estar. 10.22533/at.ed.18320170611.