Offering a unique comparative study of ageing and social policy in Germany and the UK, this book assesses the similarities and differences in policy and practice. Ageing and social policy are crucial questions in our ageing society. It features a joint comparative analyses across all the policy areas. New areas are explored e.g. the silver economy. This first comparative study of ageing
Offering a unique comparative study of ageing and social policy in Germany and the UK, this book assesses the similarities and differences in policy and practice. Ageing and social policy are crucial questions in our ageing society. It features a joint comparative analyses across all the policy areas. New areas are explored e.g. the silver economy. This first comparative study of ageing and social policy in two major European countries is based on a unique set of joint analyses of the major policy areas affecting older people. These analyses reveal both differences and similarities in policy and practice and, in several fields, increasing convergence.
Subject terms:
social policy, ageing, comparative studies, demographics;
Aging and Mental Health, 12(1), January 2008, pp.56-65.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Subjective well-being as an indicator for successful aging is investigated from a salutogenic perspective that states that the sense of coherence plays a key role for psychological adaptation. It should be demonstrated that the sense of coherence mediates the relationship between generalized resistance resources and subjective well-being. One-hundred-and-seventy psychophysically active elderly persons (37 men) in Germany filled out a questionnaire assessing the sense of coherence, subjective well-being and resistance resources (such as age, education, physical health, activity level, social support and personality variables). It was found that resources co-varied with the sense of coherence and subjective well-being, accounting for 52 and 48% of the variance, respectively. The most important predictors were self-efficacy, self-esteem and education. After controlling for resources, the sense of coherence accounted for an additional 6% of the variance in well-being. The sense of coherence clearly mediated the relationship between resources and well-being. The findings corroborate the salutogenic idea that the sense of coherence creates, or maintains, a form of psychological integrity as represented by subjective well-being. The promotion of a strong sense of coherence should be a major aim of gerontological interventions.
Subjective well-being as an indicator for successful aging is investigated from a salutogenic perspective that states that the sense of coherence plays a key role for psychological adaptation. It should be demonstrated that the sense of coherence mediates the relationship between generalized resistance resources and subjective well-being. One-hundred-and-seventy psychophysically active elderly persons (37 men) in Germany filled out a questionnaire assessing the sense of coherence, subjective well-being and resistance resources (such as age, education, physical health, activity level, social support and personality variables). It was found that resources co-varied with the sense of coherence and subjective well-being, accounting for 52 and 48% of the variance, respectively. The most important predictors were self-efficacy, self-esteem and education. After controlling for resources, the sense of coherence accounted for an additional 6% of the variance in well-being. The sense of coherence clearly mediated the relationship between resources and well-being. The findings corroborate the salutogenic idea that the sense of coherence creates, or maintains, a form of psychological integrity as represented by subjective well-being. The promotion of a strong sense of coherence should be a major aim of gerontological interventions.
This paper presents a new scale for the assessment of the salience of age in social interaction and of levels of agreement with four age stereotypical assertions, about the characteristics of people in the ‘third age’ and the ‘fourth age’, about older people's social roles and social participation, and about the problems for society produced by population ageing. The scale was constructed and potentials of development’, old age as a time of ‘developmental losses and risks of development’, ‘the social downgrading of older people’, and believing that ‘older people are a burden on society’. For age stereotypes and age salience, no significant sex differences were found, but those aged 58–64 years held more optimistic views about old age and population ageing than both the younger and the older age
This paper presents a new scale for the assessment of the salience of age in social interaction and of levels of agreement with four age stereotypical assertions, about the characteristics of people in the ‘third age’ and the ‘fourth age’, about older people's social roles and social participation, and about the problems for society produced by population ageing. The scale was constructed by testing the agreement of a national sample of 804 German respondents aged 41–84 years with over 60 item-statements in two pilot studies. The final scale has 24 items, and was tested using a stratified sample of 1,275 subjects aged 40–75 years. Five postulated subscales were confirmed using principal components analysis: ‘age salience’ in social interaction, old age as a time of ‘developmental gains and potentials of development’, old age as a time of ‘developmental losses and risks of development’, ‘the social downgrading of older people’, and believing that ‘older people are a burden on society’. For age stereotypes and age salience, no significant sex differences were found, but those aged 58–64 years held more optimistic views about old age and population ageing than both the younger and the older age groups (with no differences between the latter). Moreover, age stereotypes and age salience varied by several social-economic variables, particularly occupational status, the rate of unemployment in the region of residence, and being resident in the eastern or western part of Germany. No significant interactions between age group and sex were found for any of the five subscales.
Purpose: In France and Germany, intergenerational housing is put forward as an option by public authorities. This kind of housing scheme seems like a good solution for seniors and young people, from both an economic and a social point of view. But beyond this common philosophy, there are differences in the way intergenerational housing is being implemented in the two countries. France mainly favours the student-senior home-sharing model whereas the intergenerational collaborative housing (co-housing) model based on solidarity between seniors and families is gaining ground in Germany. This paper explores the reasons for these differences and present results from field surveys conducted in both countries.
Design/methodology/approach: The qualitative methodology of the field surveys consisted essentially of semi-structured interviews with the young people and seniors living in these types of housing, in order to understand how they experienced intergenerational solidarity.
Findings: The authors’ surveys revealed that certain conditions are essential for this intergenerational solidarity to be fully effective, notably voluntary participation and commitment to the project, and possibly external support to ensure that it is designed and implemented in the best possible way.
Originality/value: This paper provides useful recommendations for decision makers who wish to support this type of housing concept based on intergenerational solidarity.
(Publisher abstract)
Purpose: In France and Germany, intergenerational housing is put forward as an option by public authorities. This kind of housing scheme seems like a good solution for seniors and young people, from both an economic and a social point of view. But beyond this common philosophy, there are differences in the way intergenerational housing is being implemented in the two countries. France mainly favours the student-senior home-sharing model whereas the intergenerational collaborative housing (co-housing) model based on solidarity between seniors and families is gaining ground in Germany. This paper explores the reasons for these differences and present results from field surveys conducted in both countries.
Design/methodology/approach: The qualitative methodology of the field surveys consisted essentially of semi-structured interviews with the young people and seniors living in these types of housing, in order to understand how they experienced intergenerational solidarity.
Findings: The authors’ surveys revealed that certain conditions are essential for this intergenerational solidarity to be fully effective, notably voluntary participation and commitment to the project, and possibly external support to ensure that it is designed and implemented in the best possible way.
Originality/value: This paper provides useful recommendations for decision makers who wish to support this type of housing concept based on intergenerational solidarity.
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
housing, intergenerational relationships, older people, ageing, young adults;
KESSLER Eva-Marie, AGINES Sabrina, BOWEN Catherine E.
Journal article citation:
Aging and Mental Health, 19(2), 2014, pp.182-191.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
... to improve older adults’ representations of their own ageing as well as of psychotherapists may be useful for reducing the treatment gap.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This study investigates a wide range of contextual (e.g. physical access, residence) and personal (e.g. perceived social support, life satisfaction, openness to experience) predictors of attitudes towards seeking mental health services (ATSMHS) in a sample of 156 older community-dwelling adults in Germany. It was predicted that representations of old age as well as perceptions of (younger) psychotherapists would be uniquely important for determining ATSMHS. Method: Participants completed questionnaire measures which were analysed using hierarchical linear regression analyses to identify predictors of ATSMHS. Results: In the final saturated model, female gender, urban residence, personal and vicarious experience with psychotherapy, and higher perceived social support were each associated with more positive ATSMHS. In addition, more positive representations of old age and less negative perceptions of (younger) psychotherapists explained unique variance in ATSMHS over and above the other predictors. The overall model was significant and explained 49% of the variance in ATSMHS. Conclusion: The findings can be used to inform interventions to improve older adults’ ATSMHS. Interventions that seek to improve older adults’ representations of their own ageing as well as of psychotherapists may be useful for reducing the treatment gap.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
older people, attitudes, psychotherapy, mental health services, ageing;
Universite Catholique de Louvan. Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche Travail, Etat et Societe
Publication year:
2012
Pagination:
290p.
Place of publication:
Charleroi
... of this research will be of relevance for any country or region struggling to design a home care system for an ageing population. The coordinators of this research project have submitted a proposal for a special issue of Ageing and Society based on the main chapters of this report.
Taking the reforms of the 1990s as its starting point, this report examines the dynamics of change experienced by Belgium, England, Germany and Italy in their home care sectors. Central to our analysis is the process of “marketisation”. This constitutes one of the major trends in all these four countries, yet its nature and impact show important national variations. The data referred to in this report relate to developments in and around various home care sectors, and cover both societal and organisational dynamics. Country-based research teams gathered the information, each team following identical methodological guidelines. This report uses official documents and grey literature from the care sector to analyse the discourses underpinning reforms in the field. The conclusions of this research will be of relevance for any country or region struggling to design a home care system for an ageing population. The coordinators of this research project have submitted a proposal for a special issue of Ageing and Society based on the main chapters of this report.
Subject terms:
home care, older people, social care provision, ageing, health care;
Europe must get to grips with the problems posed by an ageing population, or face a declining economic growth rate and ever-increasing pension liabilities. David Willetts MP exposes the myth that Britain is better prepared to face the problems of an ageing population than continental Europe. He argues that while France and Germany must reform their state pensions systems, Britain needs to tackle
Europe must get to grips with the problems posed by an ageing population, or face a declining economic growth rate and ever-increasing pension liabilities. David Willetts MP exposes the myth that Britain is better prepared to face the problems of an ageing population than continental Europe. He argues that while France and Germany must reform their state pensions systems, Britain needs to tackle a low savings rate and the crisis in company pension funds. The authoralso explores which family friendly and immigration policies could reverse Europe's demographic decline. He concludes that Europe’s changing demographic structure will alter the balance of economic power within the EU and the world at large
Research study providing an empirical analysis of the incomes of older people in 11 countries. Also presents the results, for a narrower range of countries, of an analysis of living standards, defined to include the value of government provided health and education services, as well as disposable cash income. In addition, looks at the role of owner-occupied housing and liquid wealth.
Research study providing an empirical analysis of the incomes of older people in 11 countries. Also presents the results, for a narrower range of countries, of an analysis of living standards, defined to include the value of government provided health and education services, as well as disposable cash income. In addition, looks at the role of owner-occupied housing and liquid wealth.
Subject terms:
income, older people, poverty, quality of life, ageing;
Content types:
research, government publication
Location(s):
Canada, Australia, Belgium, France, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 35(9), 2020, pp.1028-1035.
Publisher:
Wiley
The purpose of this study was to identify whether the onset and the end of fear of falling (FOF) are associated with psychosocial consequences (in terms of depressive symptoms, loneliness, social isolation, autonomy, and subjective well‐being). Methods/Design: Longitudinal data for this study were taken from the nationally representative German Ageing Survey which included community‐dwelling
(Publisher abstract)
The purpose of this study was to identify whether the onset and the end of fear of falling (FOF) are associated with psychosocial consequences (in terms of depressive symptoms, loneliness, social isolation, autonomy, and subjective well‐being). Methods/Design: Longitudinal data for this study were taken from the nationally representative German Ageing Survey which included community‐dwelling individuals ≥40 years (wave 5 and wave 6). Psychosocial outcome measures were assessed using widely established and well‐validated scales. The presence of FOF was used as the main explanatory variable. It was adjusted for age, family status, labor force participation, self‐rated health, physical functioning, as well as the number of chronic conditions. Results: Linear fixed effects regressions revealed that FOF was associated with adverse psychosocial outcomes (increased depressive symptoms, lower life satisfaction, lower positive affect, higher negative affect, and lower perceived autonomy). Asymmetric fixed effects regressions analysis showed that the onset of FOF was associated with reduced life satisfaction as well as reduced autonomy, whereas the end of FOF was associated with reduced depressive symptoms, decreased loneliness scores, as well as decreased negative affect. Conclusions: The study findings suggest that future studies should analyze the consequences of FOF differently (onset and end of FOF) which has practical important implications. More specifically, while strategies to avoid the onset of FOF may help to maintain satisfaction with life and autonomy, strategies to end FOF may contribute to avoid increased loneliness, feelings of negative affect, as well as increased depressive symptoms.
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
falls, older people, anxiety, ageing, psychosocial approach, loneliness;
British Journal of Health Psychology, 24(4), 2019, pp.859-875.
Publisher:
Wiley
... of community‐dwelling individuals aged 40 years and older. Methods: Data from the German Ageing Survey were used (Waves 2002, 2008, 2011, 2014). Fixed effects regression analysis was implemented to investigate the longitudinal association between receipt of informal care (no/yes) and life satisfaction (Satisfaction with Life Scale), while controlling for sociodemographic data (e.g., age) and health‐related factors
(Edited publisher abstract)
Objectives: Global judgements of life satisfaction are a core aspect of subjective well‐being, and of central relevance to understanding how those in need of care view their lives. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between the receipt of informal care and life satisfaction in a longitudinal setting. Design: Longitudinal analysis of a population‐based data set of community‐dwelling individuals aged 40 years and older. Methods: Data from the German Ageing Survey were used (Waves 2002, 2008, 2011, 2014). Fixed effects regression analysis was implemented to investigate the longitudinal association between receipt of informal care (no/yes) and life satisfaction (Satisfaction with Life Scale), while controlling for sociodemographic data (e.g., age) and health‐related factors (e.g., physical and mental health). Results: Results from fixed effects longitudinal models revealed that transitioning from not receiving informal care to receiving informal care predicted a decrease in life satisfaction. This result remained stable when specific types of receipt of informal care were used as predictors. Conclusions: Receiving informal care is associated with a decrease in life satisfaction, irrespective of the type of informal care received. These results highlight the necessity of taking the care recipient's perception into consideration, and indicate the imminent need for the care situation to be improved, if the life satisfaction of care recipients is to be maintained.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
surveys, longitudinal studies, informal care, ageing, quality of life, wellbeing;