Ageing: Positive/Active Ageing – Building on Strengths

Copenhagen Summit on Cognitive Reserve – Cognitive decline is not inevitable in later life.  Cognitive reserve can be built up by exposure to stimulating environments throughout the lifespan.  See the International Federation on Aging (IFA) summary of findings from researchers and thought leaders from 22 countries.

Next Avenue  is public media’s first and only national journalism service for America’s booming older population. Its daily content delivers vital ideas, context and perspectives on issues that matter most as we age. Next Avenue has served over 40 million people on our site and millions more through our platforms and partnerships. 

AARP’s 2018 Aging Readiness and Competitiveness Report. This report concentrates on small innovative economies of 10 countries, each with fewer than 25 million people: Australia, Chile, Costa Rica, Lebanon, Mauritius, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, and Taiwan. Five best practices common to all were: policies were person oriented, bottom up, holistic, interdisciplinary and evidence-based. 

Association Between Life Purpose and Mortality Among US Adults Older Than 50 Years –  The results of a study of 6895 older adults has shown that low purpose in life is significantly associated with a reduced sense of psychological well-being, and with earlier death. Those with a strong sense of purpose tend to feel better and live longer.

The Meaning and Challenge of “Active Aging”. –This brilliant, 32-slide powerpoint presentation from Donghee Han, director of RISBLE, the Research Institute of Science for the Better Living of the Elderly founded in Korea in 1997, explains and examines the genesis and evolution of “Active Aging” worldwide from the 1970s forecasts of rapid global aging to the present.  

OECD Better Life Index – A Fun, Interactive Way to See How Well You are Doing. The Better Life Index is designed to let you visualize and compare 11 key factors – education, housing, environment, income, jobs, community, civic engagement, health, life satisfaction, safety, work-life balance– that contribute to wellbeing in 35 OECD countries. It’s an interactive tool that allows you to see how countries are performing, based on the importance you give to each of 11 factors that make for a better life. See the Executive Summary that is available in several languages.

Leaving a Legacy – A new study of 3,000 American adults age 55 and older explores a range of topics, including what people most want to be remembered for (“..memories shared with loved ones..” said more than two-thirds of the respondents), and the benefits of having their affairs in order.

Older Persons’ Self-Advocacy Handbook. AGE PLATFORM has produced an excellent online handbook to support the involvement of older persons in all processes that affect their human rights at the United Nations, Council of Europe and European Union levels.

The Wisdom of Age: Perceptions and Insights from One Generation to Another by Jeff Rubin
Jeff, a community leader from Berea, Kentucky, and member of the Pass It On Network, says, “My journey of discovery this past year has been an eye-opening experience. This book, he says, reaffirms a long-held belief that we each have something to share and something to learn from one another, regardless of our age or ability. Jeff has collected words of inspiration, motivation and comfort from people across the age spectrum, including sage advice from precocious five-year olds, gentle affirmation from people passing their 100th birthdays, and extraordinary wisdom from everyone in-between. 

Well-Being – “What’s one thing that is important to your sense of well-being?” asks Jan Hively. Here is a four-minute video recording from 18 Pass It On Network Liaisons who responded, hear what they had to say. Think about how YOU would respond to that question, which is central to your quality of life. If you would like to add your response to those that we have, just identify your name, age, years of life experience, and tell us what’s important for YOUR well-being. Send the e-mail to: info@passitonnetwork.org

6’36 – Redesigning Long Life – Stanford Center on Longevity

Laura Carstensen: TED Talk – Older People are Happier. In the 20th century we added an unprecedented number of years to our lifespans, but is the quality of life as good? Surprisingly, yes! Psychologist Laura Carstensen shows research that demonstrates that as people get older they become happier, more content, and have a more positive outlook on the world.

Living Juicy! with Rhea Goodman –  Free podcasts that re-story the world by visiting with creative people whose innovative journeys open new pathways to conscious living in life’s second act.

Rodney Brooks: TED Talk – Why We Will Rely on Robots. Scaremongers play on the idea that robots will simply replace people on the job. In fact, they can become our essential collaborators, freeing us up to spend time on less mundane and mechanical challenges. Rodney Brooks points out how valuable this could be as the number of working-age adults drops and the number of retirees swells.

Jan Hively, PhD – What Is An Elder

Dr. Edgar Mitchell’s “Sustainability” – The Water Lily Effect. Dr. Edgar Mitchell, 1930-2016, Apollo 14 Astronaut, Founder of The Institute of Noetic Sciences (www.noetic.org) and chairman Emeritus of Eternea, Inc. (www.eternea.org) featured in an important video on the sustainability issues facing humanity and all life on earth.

SIforAGE, European Commission. The “Social Innovation on Active and Healthy Ageing for Sustainable Economic Growth” engages multi-sector users and stakeholders in mutual investigation of current and emerging social needs and expectations in an ageing society.  The Policy Recommendations Guide is available in 10 languages.

SIforAGE International Conference 2016 – View all videos of the three day event organized by the SIforAGE Project.