Environmental influences on healthy and active ageing: a systematic review

Abstract

This paper explores the evidence for environmental influences on older adult health and activity participation, identifies current knowledge gaps and limitations within this literature, and offers recommendations for future research via a systematic appraisal of  quantitative and qualitative studies. A Cochrane-type review procedure was followed, which incorporated structured database searches, inclusion and exclusion criteria, quality appraisal of included studies, and peer review. The review findings identify support for both personal and environmental influences on health and activity participation in later life. Reported personal influences include ethnicity and cultural norms, energy and motivation, sex, age, education, genetic heritage, self-efficacy, and personal financial circumstances. Reported environmental influences on activity participation include climate, level of pollution, street lighting, traffic conditions, accessibility and appropriateness of services and facilities, socio-economic conditions, aesthetics, pedestrian infrastructure, community life, exposure to antisocial behaviour, social network participation, environmental degradation, level of urbanism, exposure to natural settings, familiarity with local environment and others. Recommendations for future research include the need for innovative research methods; involvement of older adults as research collaborators; investigation of wider aspects of the active ageing concept; in-depth assessment of the environmental characteristics of areas; investigation of the pathways leading from environment to health and activity participation; and more theoretically informed research or increased contribution of research to theory development.

Older adult social participation and its relationship with health: Rural-urban differences

“…As a likely correlate of healthy aging, identifying and understanding geographic variation in older-adult social participation may be one way to explain these disparities (Annear et al, 2014). On one hand, older adults living in rural places are often idealized as possessing stronger ties to their communities and retaining high-quality relationships with friends for decades (Keating, 2008).…”

Physically active leisure and the transition to retirement: the value of context

“…Annear et al 2014;Genoe 2010;Hawkins, Foose, and Binkley 2004;Liechty et al 2014). Researchers have documented important health and wellness benefits of leisure participation as well as the important role of leisure in adjusting to retirement (Adams, Leibbrandt, and Moon 2011;Heo et al 2013).…”

Indicadores de fragilidad en adultos mayores del sistema público de salud de la ciudad de Antofagasta

“…El AM autovalente con riesgo 13 , es derivado a médico y/o educación en el programa cardiovascular que corresponda; si es autovalente sin riesgos debe ser derivado a acciones de promoción y prevención. Esta indicación descansa en la facilidad que el entorno comunitario le ofrece al AM 27 , porque en salud las acciones están más orientadas a la rehabilitación 28 . Son autovalentes sin riesgo pero presentan criterios de fragilidad, lo que los deja con mayor vulnerabilidad frente a eventos adversos de cualquier origen.…”