Page 114 - IJPS-11-1

International Journal of
Population Studies Developing individual active aging measurement tool

a broader concept (Foster & Walker, 2013; World Health process is added instead of focusing on results. Based on
Organization [WHO], 2002). Some references to active the conceptualization, it defends an active lifestyle while
aging can be traced back to the late 1970s, whereas other respecting the possibilities of each individual, including
authors consider the International Year of Older Persons fragile people or people with disabilities, frequently
(1999) as the launch of this concept when it was developed excluded in other operationalizations (Sidorenko & Zaidi,
in an editorial written by Kalache (1999). Nonetheless, 2013; WHO, 2002).
different elaborations about how activity is linked to the Some principles have been outlined to preserve the
opportunities to be healthy in later life raised in articles ambition of the concept (Foster & Walker, 2021; Walker,
before the 2000s. Later, the worldwide definition of “active 2002). Here, activity is considered a broad concept,
aging” was presented in the document “Active Aging: including all significant activities that improve the well-
A Political Framework” (WHO, 2002), elaborated as a being of individuals and families, the local community, and
result of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Aging society. In addition, it argues that all older people should
and the Political Declaration adopted at the Second World be included in the concept – not only young, independent,
Assembly on Aging of the United Nations held in 2002. and healthy people but also fragile, dependent older
This plan is the turning point in the focus of the WHO people. Third, it is conceived as a preventive concept
to address the challenge of building a society for all ages with a whole-life course perspective, whereas the fourth
by integrating into the new political concept the scientific principle claims the enhancement of intergenerational
tradition developed in the past decades of the 20 century. solidarity and opportunities. The fifth point is that both
th
While the need to create and maintain opportunities rights and responsibilities are implied in terms of social
for older people to remain active is highlighted, other protection and lifelong education and learning, insisting
important factors in the aging process beyond health, on the obligation to take advantage of these opportunities.
such as activity and participation, are also recognized Sixth, empowerment and participation are important
(Fernández-Ballesteros, 2005; Kalache & Kickbusch, 1997; effects of active aging, given that they promote citizens’
WHO, 2002). active attitudes in terms of bidirectional communication

Active aging was defined as “the process of optimizing between society and policies. This approach is fostered to
opportunities for health, participation, and security to avoid imposition from high hierarchies and to prevent the
enhance the quality of life as people age” (p. 12). Three conversion into a coercive strategy. The seventh principle
basic pillars are identified to promote active aging: suggests that active aging must respect national and
participation, health, and security, to which a fourth cultural diversity regarding ways of participation without
pillar was subsequently added, that is, lifelong learning falling into valuing judgments about which activity is the
(International Longevity Center Brazil, 2015). The aim is best. The latter refers to the need to integrate flexibility into
that people can develop their full potential for physical, this approach. The individual perspective of active aging
social, and mental well-being throughout their lives and defends the existence of variation among individuals and
participate in society according to their needs, desires, and their available sources to age well, which, in addition to the
abilities while providing adequate protection, security, and changes in limitations and preferences that occur during
care when they need assistance (WHO, 2002). Activity is, the life course, give rise to differences in the individual
thereby, represented by continuous participation in diverse aging process.
activities in terms of social, economic, cultural, physical, From a political perspective, active aging refers to both
and routine activities. Active aging, therefore, unifies the individual and collective strategies to optimize economic,
ideas of activity and participation, health, independence, social, and cultural participation during the life course to
and good aging but provides participation with a main role manage current and future aging populations (Kalache &
(Van Malderen et al., 2013). Kickbusch, 1997; Lassen & Moreira, 2014; WHO, 2002).
Hence, active aging is a broader and more inclusive However, this term has spread in society, and older people
concept than the previous ones embedded in this have their own conceptions of active aging. Some studies
paradigm (Bowling, 2008; Mendes, 2013; Van Malderen have researched how older adults define it, concluding
et al., 2013; Stenner et al., 2011). By definition, it gathers that positive terms are used in the definition, referring
individual elements of productive and healthy aging from to both health as a global concept (Bowling, 2008; 2009;
a multidimensional perspective (Foster & Walker, 2013; Lucena et al., 2010) and activity and participation (Clarke
Kalache & Kickbusch, 1997; WHO, 2002; Van Malderen & Warren, 2007; Lucena et al., 2010; Stenner et al.,
et al., 2013). In addition, the importance of an active 2011; Townsend et al., 2006). Health includes multiple
and proactive attitude from people in their own aging dimensions, such as maintaining good physical health

Volume 11 Issue 1 (2025) 108 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.428