Abstract
The European Union (EU) is a conglomerate of more than 500 million people, 19.2% (approximately 100 million) of whom are older adults (1). The ageing population is triggering dramatic demographic, epidemiological, and anthropological changes, highlighting the importance of active and healthy ageing (AHA). In Europe, the most common household type is single occupancy (33.4% of the total number of households) (2). This household type also recorded the highest increase from 2005 to 2015 (3). These findings highlight several questions from both an individual and public perspective. Who will take care of the current generation as we become older? What types of health and social organisations should we develop to preserve the quality of life of an ageing population and sustain our health care systems over the medium and long term? Supporting AHA is one answer to these questions: an AHA population is a resource that benefits all of society. Maintaining a healthy ageing population may also lower demands for health care services. In addition, in many cases, older adults in good health are able to support their fellow generation and represent a strength dedicated to the common well-being.
Highlights
The European Union (EU) is a conglomerate of more than 500 million people, 19.2% of whom are older adults [1]
Who will take care of the current generation as we become older? What types of health and social organisations should we develop to preserve the quality of life of an ageing population and sustain our health care systems over the medium and long term? Supporting AHA is one answer to these questions: an AHA population is a resource that benefits all of society
In Barcelona, the Institut d’Investigació en Atenció Primària (IDIAP) Jordi Gol has developed a programme working with community nurses who provides elderly community members with advice on physical activities, diet, and medication schedule and hold memory workshops: this programme reduced the use of health care services as well as the mortality rate of individuals over 65 years old in this community [34]
Summary
The European Union (EU) is a conglomerate of more than 500 million people, 19.2% (approximately 100 million) of whom are older adults [1]. In Europe, the most common household type is single occupancy (33.4% of the total number of households) [2]. This household type recorded the highest increase from 2005 to 2015 [3]. These findings highlight several questions from both an individual and public perspective. Who will take care of the current generation as we become older? Maintaining a healthy ageing population may lower demands for health care services. In many cases, older adults in good health are able to support their fellow generation and represent a strength dedicated to the common well-being
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
