Envejecimiento. La investigación en España y Europa

Abstract

Researchers, stakeholders and policy makers agree about the importance of the population ageing in modern societies, so a broad analysis of current research strategies is in progress, such as FUTURAGE, a network for drawing a map for future research on ageing. This document presents the Spanish contribution to this map following FUTURAGE guidelines, drawn from the debates held in the 'Ageing. Research in Spain and Europe' Workshop. The first part consists of general ideas seeking to define future challenges on research using a multidisciplinary approach, in which the theoretical and methodological debate, the comparative and multilevel perspective, the transfer of knowledge and involvement of the older people would be essential to consider. Some of the main issues according to FUTURAGE structure are, the bio-gerontology of ageing, healthy and active ageing, and the socioeconomic and environmental resources of ageing. The interaction between these contents is pivotal to understand the research on ageing. Finally, the document provides some methodological and instrumental ideas to reinforce the need for cross-sectional research initiatives, integrating different data and combining methods in order to develop assessment and intervention strategies. Other aspects look into the mechanisms to coordinate research within a European context. The map on ageing research has been published after the consultation process in Europe (http://futurage.group.shef.ac.uk/road-map.html) and is now ready to be considered for integration into future European and Spanish research programs.

¿Qué convierte en «exitoso» al envejecimiento de éxito?

“…Numerosos modelos han destacado la importancia que tiene mantener cierto grado de actividad como factor esencial en la mejora del estado de salud física y mental, la calidad de vida individual y el bienestar comunitario (Rodríguez Rodríguez, Rodríguez Mañas, Sancho Castiello, y Díaz Martín, 2012 quier tipo de actividad para asegurar la vivencia de un envejecimiento de éxito. Así, en un reciente estudio (Kantún Marín, Moral de la Rubia, Salazar González, y Rosas Carrasco, 2017) el hecho de caminar (o no), no resulta significativo para una vejez exitosa y señalan que lo importante para un afrontamiento de éxito en los adultos mayores no es estar físicamente activo, sino estarlo de un modo social, mental y emocional.…”

“…Esta realidad ha despertado el interés de diversas organizaciones que han tratado de estimular intervenciones dirigidas a promover formas de envejecimiento activo y saludable (Pretetto et al, 2016). Algunas de dichas propuestas señalan definitivamente al envejecimiento como un reto social de primera magnitud en los últimos años (Rodríguez Rodríguez, Rodríguez Mañas, Sancho Castiello, y Díaz Martín, 2012).…”

Is physical exercise a protective agent against the way we currently age? A narrative review.

“…In recent decades, the proportion of older adults has increased dramatically, due to a longer life expectancy and a decrease in the fertility rate (9). This rapid demographic transition has led us to witness a phenomenon never described before in the history of humanity: the "aging of aging", which translates into a significant increase in eighty and even ninety-year-old individuals in the world population (10). Despite the increase in life expectancy and a greater protected environment, these last years are not fully lived, due to a reduction in functionality (11).…”

Is physical exercise a protective agent against the way we currently age? A narrative review.

“…In recent decades, the proportion of older adults has increased dramatically, due to a longer life expectancy and a decrease in the fertility rate (9). This rapid demographic transition has led us to witness a phenomenon never described before in the history of humanity: the "aging of aging", which translates into a significant increase in eighty and even ninety-year-old individuals in the world population (10). Despite the increase in life expectancy and a greater protected environment, these last years are not fully lived, due to a reduction in functionality (11).…”