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Active and successful aging: a European policy perspective
- Authors:
- FOSTER Liam, WALKER Alan
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 55(1), 2015, pp.83-90.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Over the past two decades, “active ageing” has emerged in Europe as the foremost policy response to the challenges of population ageing. This article examines the concept of active ageing and how it differs from that of “successful ageing.” In particular, it shows how active ageing presents a more holistic, life course–oriented approach than successful ageing. The authors provide a critical perspective on active ageing too by, first, tracing its emergence in Europe and then showing how, in practice, it has been dominated by a narrow economic or productivist perspective that prioritises the extension of working life. It has also been gender blind. Nonetheless, it is argued that an active ageing approach has the potential to enable countries to respond successfully to the challenges of population ageing because of its comprehensive focus and emphasis on societal as well as individual responsibility. Finally, the authors set out the basic principles that need to be followed if the full potential of active ageing is to be achieved. (Edited publisher abstract)