Making an impact on older adults’ well-being: resources and risk factors for active ageing

Abstract

Aims: This symposium set out to a) investigate the development of physical activity and well-being after transition into retirement and b) to reveal age-related factors associated with decreases or increases in activity and well-being. It further aims to c) investigate active ageing from different perspectives (older adults, exercise programme providers), with different methodologies (quantitative, qualitative, meta-synthetic) and new concepts (effect of vacation) and d) to suggest innovative approaches for health promotion programmes. Rationale: The potential for promoting active ageing and maintained well-being in older adults is often underestimated. The specific needs of this population differ from younger adults, but are not yet well understood. In line with this year’s conference topic "Behaviour change: Making an impact on health and health services" this symposium extracts risk factors and resources for active and successful ageing. All five presentations contribute innovative and age-specific factors associated with active ageing and provide suggestions for activities and services tailored to the specific needs of adults aged 65+. Summary: Lisa Warner investigates trajectories of physical activity after transitions to retirement and possible influencing factors. Angela Devereux-Fitzgerald presents her insights on older adults’ acceptability of physical activity from interviews with older adults with lower socio-economic status as well as exercise programme providers. In her meta-synthesis, Laura McGowan examines older adults’ views and perspectives on being physically active across different qualitative studies. Marlène Mélon is interested in the effect of vacations on older adults’ well-being and presents a number of different vacation characteristics as well as vacation activities that predict well-being. Ewa Gruszczyńska examines trajectories of well-being after transition to retirement and whether these are related to meaning in life. Yael Benyamini will discuss these findings and suggest future directions for research and for the promotion of an active ageing process with maintained well-being.