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• Will Autonomous Vehicles address impediments to the mobility of ageing populations?

  6-7

  Ferenc Stephen Kovacs

  Views:

  279

  Background/Aims

  Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) have been touted as a ‘mobility panacea’ for ageing populations. The hopes invested in such technocentric solutions can be understood with reference to the spatial-temporal context of the Global Demographic Transition. The geography of ageing culminates in growing levels of social isolation of older populations in rural, regional and suburban areas. This spatial trend is superimposed on a temporal landscape of recurring economic crises, creating fiscal constraints impeding the efficacy of conventional solutions including scheduled and demand-responsive transport. To what extent can AVs respond to the mobility needs of older people at a time of fiscal crisis?

  Methods

  To address this knowledge gap, I undertook a systematic literature review with two academic colleagues from Curtin University in 2019.  We reviewed the AV related papers and the wider transportation planning and gerontological research inclusive of factors known to influence the mobility of older people. The research informed a critical perspective exploring possible impacts, inclusive of risks and opportunities through the methodology of scenario analysis.

  Results

  We found the technology had the capability to address some aged mobility needs such as those resulting from declining driving ability, and might provide a framework supportive of ‘ageing in place’ solutions.

  Conclusions

  The ability to realise the full potential of this ‘socio-technical transition’ and effectively manage unintended impacts, will be informed by society’s institutional capacity inclusive of the State’s ability to implement timely interventions in mobility markets and provide an integrated approach to transport and land use planning.

• Growing Old and Being Gay or Lesbian in Malta: Anticipating Care in a Heteronormative Society

  Christian Vella

  Views:

  181

  Malta presents a unique paradox for sexual minority elders: it boasts some of the world’s most progressive LGBTIQ+ legislation, yet retains a deeply rooted, religiously conservative social fabric. This article explores how this paradox shapes the ageing experiences and anticipated care needs of older gay men and lesbian women. Drawing on critical gerontology and utilising the Biographic-Narrative Interpretive Method (BNIM), to collect the data, using Thematic Analysis this study examins the life histories of participants aged 58 to 72. Findings reveal a pervasive fear of ‘re-closeting’ upon entry into long-term care, driven by a lifetime of navigating heteronormativity. A distinct gendered divergence emerged: while male participants largely embraced a gay identity, female participants frequently rejected the ‘lesbian’ label, adopting strategies of protective silence. The study challenges normative models of ‘successful ageing,’ highlighting instead the resilience found in ‘families of choice.’ The article concludes that despite legal equality, the lack of culturally competent care creates a precarious future for Maltese sexual minorities, necessitating urgent policy interventions and affirmative staff training to support ageing in place.

• Exploring the subjective experience of old age according to the social arrangements of the place of residence

  68-89

  Melinda Bede

  Orsolya Pachner

  Views:

  278

  The transformation of the situation of older people in the 21st century can be attributed to social ageing and the changing of family structures, which are associated with changes in the living conditions of older people. The aim of this research is to investigate how aging is experienced in relation to protective factors and housing conditions. The research has a cross-sectional design, with a sample of participants aged 60+ years according to the WHO definition (N=98). Measures include self-structured and standard questionnaires to assess self-esteem, satisfaction with life, social support, and resilience. Results show that peer support varies based on living arrangements, with higher support reported by those living in social institutions or family, but no difference in old age experiences. Using cluster analysis, the sample can be divided into four groups based on housing conditions. Differences are observed in peer support, resilience and self-esteem, suggesting a more negative situation for those living in a single person household and a more positive situation for those living in a social institution. However, no differences can be identified in life satisfaction which is relevant to the experience of old age, possibly due to different background factors: resilience is the main factor behind the life satisfaction of women living in a family, while social support dominates in those living in a social institution. To understand the satisfaction of men living in a family and of women living in a single person household, it would be necessary to include additional influencing factors. Given these results, it can be seen that even in programs aimed at improving the quality of life of older people, it may be important to consider the place of residence, as it can influence life satisfaction through different factors.

• Empowering older adults through age- and eco-friendly principles: the AFECO project and the Portuguese experience

  42-45

  Paola Bello

  Ines Saavedra

  Carina Dantas

  Natália Machado

  Willeke van Staalduinen

  Views:

  176

  Europe's demography has significantly changed in the last decade with older adults (defined here as those aged 65 years or more) in the EU-27, rising from 90.5 million at the start of 2019 to reach 129.8 million by 2050. The ageing population is driving significant transformations in culture, institutions, and communities.

• The preventive geriatric – the new issue of the XXI-st Century

  49-63.

  I. Szalkai

  Views:

  404

  The ageing is the global phenomenon, it is main more difficult financial and social
  problem for modern societies. If we accepted the ageing = disease identity, this does not
  help solving the problem, it increases cost only. It is still high number of people over the
  age of 65 in hospital inpatient departments. A change of view is needed. The aging is
  regarded as a decompensation process, which has parts and interventions possibilities. If
  we intervene in the downturns of the decompensation process with appropriate means,
  decompensation can be reduced; life-years in health can be increased. The goal is to
  preserve self-sufficiency as much as possible. Should be system established, because in
  other way this will be for profit service only. We have reviewed the major experiments that
  have taken place in the world and seem appropriate to handle the issue properly. However
  in order to achieve results, necessary change not only the structure bat also the attitudes.

• Advancing Research and Training on Ageing, Place and Home

  143-148

  Katalin Papp

  Views:

  233

  HOMeAGE Doctoral Network Older Adult Reference Group Meeting
  Horizon Europe (HORIZON) Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks
  HOMeAGE (101073506)