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Active Aging Essay

Decent Essays

Active aging is defined as “the maintenance of positive subjective well-being, good physical, social and mental health and continued involvement in one's family, peer group and community throughout the aging process” (Hofer, 2016, p.1). “Active aging promotes the vision of all individuals—regardless of age, socioeconomic status or health—fully engaging in life within all seven dimensions of wellness: emotional, environmental, intellectual/cognitive, physical, professional/vocational, social and spiritual” (“What is Active Aging,” 2017).
“Active” does not just refer to the ability to participate in the workforce or be physically active. It also refers to the continued participation in “social, economic, cultural, spiritual and civic affairs.” Older people who are ill, live with disabilities, and/or are retired from work can still be active participants in the lives of their families, peers, and communities. The goal of active aging is to extend healthy life and the quality of life for people as they age (“Active Ageing: A Policy Framework,” 2002).
“The active ageing approach is based on the recognition of the human rights of older people and the United Nations Principles of independence, participation, dignity, care and self-fulfillment.” It moves from the assumption that older people are passive (a “needs-based” approach) to the idea that people should be afforded equality in all areas as they age (a “rights-based” approach) (“Active Ageing: A Policy Framework,” 2002, p.

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