CURRENT CONCEPTUAL APPROACHES FOR ASSESSMENT OF THE PROCESS OF AGEING AND OLD AGE

  • Vanina Mihaylova Faculty of Public Health, Medical University Sofia, Medical University Plovdiv, Bulgaria
  • Dimitar Shopov Faculty of Public Health, Medical University, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
  • Iliya Bivolarski Department of General and Clinical Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Medicine Faculty, Medical University, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
  • Adolf Alakidi Medicine Faculty, Medical University Sofia, Bulgaria
  • Kristina Kilova Medical University – Plovdiv, Bulgaria, Faculty of Public Health
Keywords: healthy ageing, well-being, illness, disability, models of ageing, salutogenetic

Abstract

: Ageing should be considered not only as an increase in the number of elderly and old people in their absolute and relative numbers, but also as a unity of the transformations of the lifecycle, with an emphasis on: later retirement, prolonged period of good‑quality life, an active approach towards the process of retirement and differentiation of the category of “fourth age”. The general preparation for old age has earned a new appeal in the contemporary societies. Motivation of the old people for activity – both physical and intellectual – is of great importance for the better survival of the old age and long life in good health, supported by realized well-being and feeling of joy from life. In this aspect the study of both risk and protective factors for human health (in a salutogenetic perspective) becomes increasingly fundamental. The issue of population at an advanced age has definitely been considered as an independent subject since the beginning of the 21st century. Moreover, the society perceives it as an essential basis for further progress and flourishing of the mankind. In this sense the demographic strategies treating the problem need to address it in a new positive way, with different and positive attitude, accepting the population-related failures and anxiety and turning them into challenges and advantages.

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Published
2017-09-23