OLDER PERSONS AND DEVELOPMENTActive participation in society and development
Knowledge and understanding of the barriers to participation of persons as they age in social, economic, cultural and other activities of society is needed. In addition, measures of social, economic and political contributions of persons as they age in different societies need to be developed and applied. Basic education of children should reinforce positive images of older persons in society; negative stereotypes depicting older persons as decrepit, incompetent, or fragile should be combated. People should have access to life long learning opportunities that reinforce their capacity to contribute to society. Effort should be made to teach people how to participate effectively in community activities. People working with persons as they age should receive training, and information on ageing that reinforces understanding of the needs and rights of older persons as they age to remain active and to reinforce their involvement in planning, monitoring services for themselves and their communities.
Research- Operational definitions are necessary for concepts such as active aging, productivity at older ages and also relationships between these ideas and quality of life are needed.
- Harmonized international measures and indicators need to be developed.
- Psycho-social determinants of active ageing should be identified and explored.
- Research on effective methods of involving older adults in their continuing participation in educational, political and other aspects of community life is needed.
- Society-wide education strategies are needed to achieve the following measurable outcomes:
- Maximizing individual life satisfaction
- Increasing healthy active life expectancy
- Improving efficiency of formal and informal care and support for people with disability.
- Education for children should foster positive, and discourage negative, views of older people
- Education is an important determinant of life expectancy and disability-free life expectancy. Therefore it is important that:
- Aging education should be provided throughout the life course.
- Training and education in determinants of active aging (including psychosocial determinants) should be stressed.
- Assurance should be given that elders can contribute their experience, knowledge and expertise in teaching and training.
- In development of policies and programs specific needs of the target population must be considered and older persons should be involved.