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Social dancing and older adults: playground for physical activity
- Authors:
- ROBERSON Donald N., PELCLOVA Jana
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing International, 39(2), 2014, pp.124-143.
- Publisher:
- Springer
- Place of publication:
- New York
This research focuses on social dancing and its relationship to well-being in the later stage of life. While dancing as a form of physical exercise for seniors has been studied, social dancing has not been as thoroughly investigated. This popular cultural and social activity can contribute to the life of older adults in a variety of ways. The purpose of this study is to identify the ways in which social dancing contributes to the well-being of seniors. To this end we observed, surveyed, and formed a focus group from two dance locations in Olomouc, Czech Republic. As a result of participant observation, questionnaires, and a focus group there were three main findings. 1). Social dance can be a health enhancing physical activity. 2). As opposed to a dance class, social dance promotes a playful and spontaneous atmosphere. 3). This weekly scheduled event of dancing adds a positive reconnection and continuation with one’s memory, youth, and history. Communities should be encouraged to establish social dance as an option for all ages, especially older adults. (Publisher abstract)
‘Women are just more active’: gender as a determining factor in involvement in senior centres
- Author:
- MARHANKOVA Jaroslava Hasmanova
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 34(9), 2014, pp.1482-1504.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
A three-year ethnographic study was conducted at two centres in the Czech Republic which offer seniors-only leisure-time activities strongly grounded in the idea of active ageing. The method of participant observation was used, and 47 in-depth interviews were conducted with the centres' clients and employees. The higher participation by women in the centres and the role they attribute to such organisations in their lives is analysed in the context of their previous gendered biographies. Gender patterns embedded in the way daily activities at the senior centres are organised, as well as in the idea of active ageing itself, are highlighted. Despite the seeming invisibility of gender as a principle that structures the way these centres are run, they are in fact gendered organisations, where gender emerges as a basic principle affecting the chances of participating in active ageing as presented by the centres. (Edited publisher abstract)
Analysing equity in the use of long-term care in Europe
- Authors:
- RODRIGUES Ricardo, ILINCA Stefania, SCHMIDT Andrea
- Publisher:
- European Commission
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 39
- Place of publication:
- Brussels
There are significant differences across social protection systems in Europe in the scope, breadth and depth of coverage of the risk to need long-term care in old-age. Together with other factors, such as education, household structure or societal values regarding care for frail older people, these differences can have a significant impact on the use of long-term care. Using SHARE data, this Research Note compares differences between European countries in the use of long-term care across income groups, for older people living at home. It analyses not only inequalities in the use of long-term care, but also differences in use that persist after differences in need have been taken into consideration, i.e. horizontal inequity. For this purpose, concentration indices, concentration curves and horizontal inequity indices are estimated for home care services and informal care. The countries analysed here are Austria, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, France, Denmark, Greece, Belgium and Czech Republic. The findings suggest that differences in use of home care services across income groups mostly reflect differences in need between those same groups. For informal care, the differences in use persist even after accounting for needs, and less affluent individuals are much more likely to use informal care. Some possible causes for these differences and policy implications are considered.