Literature Review on Healthy Ageing 2022

Running Head: LITERATURE REVIEW ON HEALTHY AGEING
Literature Review on Social interaction Healthy Ageing
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Literature Review on Healthy Ageing
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Introduction
Healthy ageing is the process that exploits the optimization of the opportunities for
physical, mental as well as the social well-being of the older adults thus enabling them to be
an active part in the society without any discrimination. Thus, this promotes an independent
life with comparatively higher quality of life (Bourassa et al., 2017).
This article deals with the literature review based on a case study of Frederick Arum who
is 78-year old widower. He is a social person and maintains healthy family and social life. He
is having certain health challenges of late and the general physician has advised him to lose
weight to maintain ideal BMI to remain fit. Frederick is not very keen to do exercises but he
had shown interest in socialising. Even the general physician has also advised him to increase
his socialising activities as well.
The recent studies have revealed that the leisure activities should be promoted amongst the
elderly adults as such activities are indicator of certain independence that exploits both the
physical and the mental health and thus it plays a strong role in the well-being of the older
adults (Ferrer et al., 2016) (Bourassa et al., 2017). This article aims to prove the impact of the
social activities and participation on the process of healthy ageing.
Literature review
Historical background
The term healthy ageing exploits several factors for well being of an individual that may
include physical, psychosocial, social and spiritual factors. The factors that negatively impact
the process of healthy ageing includes ego-integrity, perceived health status, loneliness and
depression that may arise due to low self-esteem, lack of involvement (Cherry et al., 2013).
This article exploits the influence of the psychosocial factors on the healthy ageing and

Literature Review on Healthy Ageing
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reviewing the socio-demographic characters of the population as well. Social involvement
prevents the elders from psychosocial stress and other cumulative stress related to ageing
(Kim & Yoon, 2017). Social involvement is also associated with better physical functioning
thus decreasing the risk of mortality and promoting healthy ageing. It can thus be stated that
social well being boosts the mental health of the individual that positively impacts the
physical well-being.
In accordance to the activity theory, the involvement in social activities is likely to
promote satisfaction in life and consecutively enhancing the process of healthy ageing. Based
on the Rowe and Kahn’s model of ageing it is stated that the key to successful and healthy
ageing is active participation in the social activities. It also states that prevention of disease
disability and maintenance of physical cognition function is vital along with social
involvement. The social convoy models state that social support plays a vital role in
determining the well being of an individual all through his life, from infancy to old age (Han
et al., 2015).
Concepts of the research
It can be stated from the research study on the reciprocal causal relationship between social
activities and health that involvement in social activities promotes a positive health impact
among the elderly community dwellers irrespective of the level of cognitive function. So, it
can be concluded from this research article that there exists a need for development of
strategies that can be exploited to encourage the older adults in the community with cognitive
decline to participate in social activities. Studies have revealed that 62.5% of the older adults
and 25% of the oldest old adults were more likely to report membership in more that six
clubs and social organisations in comparison to the younger adults which was only 12.5%.