Shifts in social policies for old age: towards a life course approach of active ageing?

Kathrin Komp-Leukkunen and Marvin Formosa

Chapter 6 in A Research Agenda for Ageing and Social Policy, 2024, pp 99-112 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Old age has experienced a paradigm shift in recent decades. The early years of old age are now perceived as a time of activity, resourcefulness, and engagement. Active ageing policies strive to maintain the older individuals’ engagement in society to enhance their quality of life. This chapter argues that the foundation for active ageing is laid throughout the entire life course. Health-related behaviour during youth and middle-age develops long-term effects that manifest in old age. Because health status and social participation are entwined, further life course effects emerge. Moreover, workforce participation patterns during youth and middle-age can influence the retirement age and financial security in old age. Active ageing policies need to harness such long-term effects, while paying attention to social inequalities among older individuals, for example, across genders and levels of abilities. International policy examples show that these policies can and should address all older individuals - third agers and fourth agers alike.

Keywords: Development Studies; Economics and Finance; Sociology and Social Policy; Sustainable Development Goals (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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