Background and Rationale
The question of whether older persons are actively aging or forgotten and neglected is a pressing one extremely relevant in this time, where there are many more older people than several decades ago. Statistics indicate that by 2030, one in every eight people will be over 60 (WHO, 2022). Presently, there are more people over 60 years of age than children under 5 worldwide. Referencing this great demographic shift towards older people than young children, several authors (Chonody & Wang, 2014; Duarte, 2018; Vespa, 2018) refer to a greying population. The increased life expectancy of people often results in social isolation and diminished wellbeing. Different interventions such as health care, social work and psychological services should be implemented to reduce the isolation of older people. The World Health Organization developed a framework for active aging to enhance older people’s wellbeing with health, participation and security as the basic pillars (WHO, 2002).

Goal
The goal of the study is to explore if older persons are actively aging or whether they are forgotten and neglected.

Research Methodology
A qualitative approach is followed of an exploratory and descriptive nature. The sample consists of older people, as well as service providers in the Gerontology field. Data is collected by means of semi-structured interviews.

Results
This study is still ongoing, but literature, as well as preliminary results, indicate that older people are often forgotten and not actively aging. Furthermore, the active aging framework is not sufficiently utilized.

Authors:
Ilze Slabbert, Stellenbosch University, South Africa

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Ilze Slabbert is currently a senior lecturer at the Deparment of Socil Work, Stellenbosch University, Sout Africa.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Thursday Schedule

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