Journal of the American Medical Directors Association

Running head: ACTIVE AGING
ACTIVE AGING
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ACTIVE AGING1
Introduction:
Elderly populations are rising rapidly around the globe, thus facilitating an increasing
need for their independent care, productivity, and, the balance of occupations (Petrov, Joyce &
Gucciardo-Masci, 2019). According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Older
people account for a substantial percentage of the population in Australian where 1 out of 7
individuals were aged 65 years or more than 65 years (Www.aihw.gov.au, 2018).By 2057, the
growing older population will be up to 8.8 million in Australia due to increased life expectancy.
Kendig et al. (2018), suggested that the tendency for individuals to live longer is related to
economic and social development. Hence, At this juncture, it is essential to ensure that every
older adult experiences active aging. The case study involves 68 years old women, Barbara
martin who works fulltime as a business owner. Her parents are respectively 93 and 91 years
who live self-sufficiently in a neighbouring town but have frail health and demanding time from
their daughter. Since Barbara has always been engrossed in her work, spending time is difficult
for her parents to become difficult. Therefore, this paper aims to provide an in-depth analysis of
the impact of social determinants on the current situation and analysis of three relevant policies
on aging that integrate person-centered care and active aging in the following paragraphs.
Discussion:
In the recent era, global aging already putting increased economic and social demands in
various countries around the globe. While considering active aging, similar to advanced
countries, the Australian population is aging rapidly as a result of sustained low fertility and
increasing life expectancy, which renders few children and large increase of the older population.
Kim, Subramaniam and Flicker (2018), suggested that the concept of active aging is multifaceted

ACTIVE AGING2
in not only indicators of health but also a strong indicator of social, environmental as well as
economic aspects, which can be different depending on contextual and cultural perspectives of
the individual. Hence, considering the case scenario at this juncture it is essential to consider
how social determinants impact the older population for ensuring the fact that every individual
experiences active aging.
Impact of social determinants on the situation:
The case study focused on three older adults of different age and social determinants
influence their aging experience in three diverse manners. The case study suggested that Barbara
Martin is 68 years old successful business owner who has never been married and has no
children rather a wide friend circle. World health organizations suggested that social gradient,
unemployment, social support, education, income, working condition, housing, and health
services greatly influence aging and living experience of the individuals (Strazdins et al., 2016).
Taking a deep insight into the situation, Barbara is a successful business owner and immersed in
her work, indicating that employment and income are two social determinants of health that
directly influencing her aging process and current process. She has a wide circle of friends and
never been married, highlighting that social support also influencing the situation. The activity
theory of aging developed by Robert J. Havighurst suggested that older adults are cheerful when
they remain active and continue social interactions and it enables older adults to substitute lost
life roles, maintain a positive relationship (Payson, 2017). In this case, while Barbara failed to
devote her time to her parents, she is experiencing healthy and active aging by socially
interacting with her friends and involving in her work (Lobo, De la Cámara & Gracia-García,
2017).

ACTIVE AGING3
On the other hand, her parents Arthur and Enid, who are 93 years as well as 91 years live
independently in a neighbouring town. However, they both are in fragile health and demand her
time. Barbara failed to give to her friend Jim who is retired. In this context, frail health, lack of
social interactions and unemployment are three social determinants that influence the current
situation and aging experience. A contradictory theory of activity theory of aging, disengagement
theory suggested that aging is natural and it is acceptable for elderly individuals to withdraw
their engagement with society and personal relationships as they age (Michel & Sadana, 2017).
The theory further suggested that society prepare for the disengagements of older adults with the
society that elder adults will soon pass and society must be ready to function in absence of them.
In this context, while her parents, Arthur and Enid both are living independently, they are
experiencing frail health. Shimada et al. (2016), suggested that frail is a state of vulnerability and
decreased physiological functioning that subjects the older adults in an increased risk of poor
health outcomes. Moreover, frailty contributed to comorbidities, the development of chronic
diseases, and loss of independence and increased risk of hospitalization. At this juncture, since
both of her parents are frail, it might be the case that they lost independence and physiological
activity and demand time from their daughter that further influence the aging experience of the
population (Hirase et al., 2018). On the other hand, due to retirement, Barbara’s friend Jim also
experiencing a similar aging experience. Similar to the parents of Barbara, Jim is retired but
many hobbies and interests that he failed to explore. Hence, unemployment, social withdrawal
and lack of motivation to explore the hobbies significantly influence the aging experience of Jim.
While Jim has different experiences of aging influenced by social determinants, he failed to
understand the satisfaction experienced by Barbara. In this context, different social determinants
of health are influencing the current situation and the aging experience of each individual