Positive ageing: a critical analysis

Abstract

Throughout the world governments are beginning to respond to the challenges of population ageing, often in rhetoric implying that ageing will bring about a ‘crisis’. These responses generally centre on the fiscal implications of retirement income support and health care services (OECD, 1998). The OECD notes the need for a broad and holistic approach to ageing, reflecting the interdependence of policies, but this can be a daunting prospect. The New Zealand government has taken up this challenge through its Positive Ageing Strategy (PAS) and is not alone in this; there have been similar initiatives in other countries. In examining these policy documents it is clear that there are common underlying values. This paper critically examines PAS, and makes comparisons between it and strategies on ageing from Australia and the United Kingdom. The paper argues that the three strategies reflect a positive discourse on ageing that has implications for both current and future generations of older people.

Self-compassion, attitudes to ageing and indicators of health and well-being among midlife women

“…Bolstering attitudes to ageing is recognised as a key public policy objective internationally (Andrews, 2001;Davey & Glasgow, 2006); however, there is currently limited research into strategies that might advance this objective. This study demonstrates that self-compassion might be one avenue by which to shape positive attitudes to aging.…”

Measuring active ageing among older adults in Singapore

“…The various names used for theories of ageing well all highlight the importance of staying actively engaged in old age (Davey and Glasgow 2006) but an important conceptual difference differentiates Active Ageing from these other terms. Healthy Ageing tends to focus on the absence and prevention of illnesses and diseases to allow older people to continue to be active members of society and to enjoy independence and quality of life (Fernandez-Ballesteros et al 2013; Hansen-Kyle 2005; Oxley 2009).…”

“…Healthy Ageing tends to focus on the absence and prevention of illnesses and diseases to allow older people to continue to be active members of society and to enjoy independence and quality of life (Fernandez-Ballesteros et al 2013; Hansen-Kyle 2005; Oxley 2009). However, this conceptualisation of Healthy Ageing has been criticised as being superficial, with emphasis solely on the preventive actions and use of medical interventions to alleviate health issues related to ageing (Davey and Glasgow 2006; Oxley 2009; Walker 2015). Productive Ageing predominantly looks at both paid and unpaid productive labour activities that older adults engage in during later life (Murphy 2011), again being a limited model as it considers the ageing process in instrumental and economic terms (Walker 2015).…”

Outdoor adventure and successful ageing

“…Underpinning successful ageing is the concept of individual responsibility for self-reliance and independence. Davey and Glasglow (2006: 24) identify: ‘the onus is on people not only to contribute and to be economically active, but to finance their own retirement and to live healthy lives.’…”

“…Critiques of these discourses focus on the failure of the strategies to recognise the realities of later life (Davey and Glasglow 2006). Health issues, financial pressure and unsuccessful ageing in late adulthood are often outside the control of the individual and may be consequential to employment misfortune and lifestyle decisions made earlier in life.…”