What Matters for Healthy Ageing

This book describes What Matters for Healthy Ageing  largely from the point of view of the individual, considering not only the length of their life but also the quality of their life, their roles and identity and the things that make life worth living. The book embraces the World Health Organisation’s framework for healthy ageing, being the ability to continue to do the things that matter most. Many factors impact on these abilities, including social determinants of health, intrinsic capacities, personal identity, and roles such as work and caregiving. This book will help Geriatricians develop practice models to guide the care of older adults, by focusing on those things that matter to the older person themselves.

Chapter 1: Healthy Ageing and Healthy Life Expectancy.- Chapter 2: Social and Cultural Determinants of Ageing.- Chapter 3: Work and Retirement.- Chapter 4: Social Connection and Engagement.- Chapter 5: Life-Long Learning.- Chapter 6: Driving, Mobility and Healthy Ageing.- Chapter 7: Creative Ageing.-0 Chapter 8: Memories, Meaning and Identity.- Chapter 9: Adapting to change in the caring context.- Chapter 10: Conclusion to this volume and introduction to What Matters Volume 2: Population, Policy and Systems of Care.

Emeritus Professor Julie Byles is a Fellow and Life Member of the Australian Association of Gerontology, Professor Byles’ research interests in ageing include the role of health services, preventive activities, and treatments in maintaining quality of life for older people. Professor Byles is also Head of the International Longevity Centre – Australia, co-President of the International Global Alliance, and Chair of the International Association of Gerontology (Asia Oceania) Social Research and Planning sub-committee.