Discuss Postive Ageing In Contempary Britain

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Discuss the concept of positive aging in the context of contemporary British society. Your discussion should include reference to current empirical evidence. The answer should provide a definition of positive aging and should consider the social consequences of the demographic transition. Include the social, psychological, political and cultural aspects too. The definition of older people is an ever changing statistic in Britain. Gorman M. (2000) from the World Health Organisation states that the age 60 to 65 in developed countries marks the beginning of old age. In order to discuss a positive and healthy ageing it is important to know the definition of health or healthy. The WHO’s (2011) definition of health is ‘a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.’ Positive ageing could also be about being capably it still fully engage in different life roles, for example: a career. Therefore when researching and discussing this topic on positive ageing it is important to discuss it from all factors, not just physical illness. In Britain socio-economic status and financial basis is also seen as a factor of successful aging (Bowling. A, 1993). Age concern conducted surveys in order to explore what elderly people themselves deemed to be a successful and satisfying life for someone of their age (Bowling. A, 1993). Two per cent of the elderly people asked could not think of a response; 18 per cent said that having good neighbours and friends was what they deemed as having a successful ageing life; 15 per cent said good health; 15 per cent said happy marriage and family; 9 per cent said enough money; 5 per cent said able to get out and about; 4 per cent said peace, quiet and privacy; 4 per cent said helping others and 1 per cent said sun and warm weather. It is of interest that the majority of elderly

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