A research framework for the United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030)

Abstract

The mission of UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2020–2030) is to improve the lives of older people, their families and their communities. In this paper, we create a conceptual framework and research agenda for researchers to knowledge to address the Decade action items. The framework builds on the main components of healthy ageing: Environments (highlighting society and community) across life courses (of work and family) toward wellbeing (of individuals, family members and communities). Knowledge gaps are identified within each area as priority research actions. Within societal environments, interrogating beliefs about ageism and about familism are proposed as a way to illustrate how macro approaches to older people influence their experiences. We need to interrogate the extent to which communities are good places to grow old; and whether they have sufficient resources to be supportive to older residents. Further articulation of trajectories and turning points across the full span of work and of family life courses is proposed to better understand their diversities and the extent to which they lead to adequate financial and social resources in later life. Components of wellbeing are proposed to monitor improvement in the lives of older people, their families and communities. Researcher priorities can be informed by regional and national strategies reflecting Decade actions.

Measurement properties of the Spanish version of the brief resilient coping scale (BRCS) in cancer patients

“…This decrease in resilience beginning at 70 years old might be explained by the greater number of health issues, diminished functionality, and greater anxiety and loneliness experienced by seniors (Rentscher et al, 2021;Schwalm et al, 2021). For researchers, this information is pertinent to identify those variables that can bolster resilience in the everaging Western population (Keating, 2022). While no significant differences were detected based on tumor site, there were disparities with respect to survival in the sense that those individuals whose survival expectancy is greatest are the most resilient.…”

Editorial: Technological innovations to address social isolation and loneliness in older adults

“…The advancement of digital technology has helped older adults get better connected with their family members and friends, and also gradually changed many older adults' home environment, reflecting the WHO's call for more age-friendly environments in the UN Decade of Healthy Aging ( 9 ). Thus, some investigators explored the notion of a better neighborhood or community designed to bring broader social resources (e.g., volunteers, paid workers, and other “strangers”), via the advantage of technology, for the benefit of older residents.…”

Age-Friendly Cities and Communities: Research to Strengthen Policy and Practice

“…This action area entails fostering physical, social, and economic environments that are good places to "grow, live, work, play and age" (WHO, 2020, p. 9). The framework highlights the importance of community-centered approaches to improve policy, systems, and environments in support of healthy aging and aging equity (Keating, 2022) -an issue that has been further accentuated by the COVID-19 pandemic (Phillipson et al, 2021).…”