Abstract
Abstract Objectives To explore the level of active aging and correlates among rural elderly in Xiangtan County, China. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted from July to November 2019. A total of 945 rural elderly from 3 towns in Xiangtan County, China, were investigated by using the positive aging evaluation questionnaire (PAEQ), the activity of daily living scale (ADL), and the depression in old-age scale (DIA-S). Results The average score in the PAEQ among the rural elderly of Xiangtan County was 72.81 (range = 21–105). A moderate negative correlation was found between the score in the PAEQ and those in the ADL (r = −0.361) and DIA-S (r = −0.495). Symptoms of depression (β: −0.321, P = 0.001), number of chronic diseases (β: −0.281, P = 0.001), subjective economic status (β: 0.239, P = 0.001), ADL (β: −0.196, P = 0.001), education (β: 0.126, P = 0.001), number of children (β: 0.097, P = 0.001), and marital status (β: −0.060, P = 0.001) were significantly associated with levels of active aging in rural elderly, whereas gender and age were not independently related to active aging. Conclusions The level of active aging is at a moderately high level in the Chinese elderly in rural areas in Xiangtan County. The focus group of active aging in rural areas should be elderly people suffering from chronic diseases, physical decline, poor education and economic conditions, childlessness, and those without partners.
Highlights
The focus group of active aging in rural areas should be elderly people suffering from chronic diseases, physical decline, poor education and economic conditions, childlessness, and those without partners
The results showed that depressive symptoms (β = −0.321, P < 0.001), number of chronic diseases (β = −0.281, P < 0.001), subjective economic status (β = 0.239, P < 0.001), ability of daily living (β = −0.196, P < 0.001), education (β = 0.126, P < 0.001), number of children (β = 0.097, P < 0.001), and marital status were the influencing factors of active aging in rural elderly
The study provides a profile of active aging among Chinese rural elders in Xiangtan County
Summary
By 2050, 22% of the world’s population will be over 60 years old, which is an increase from 11% in 2019. With the rapid increase of the aging population, a series of social problems brought about by the older population, such as health concerns and support and nursing for the aged, is already causing a wide social concern. Positive and effective measures to cope with these problems must be taken and prioritized worldwide. If everyone can achieve a relatively close life expectancy and healthy lifespan and can spend their old age independently, the problem of aging can be effectively solved. Under the guidance of this concept, the World Health Organization (WHO) introduced the Health Commission (No 20200094)
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