This PhD thesis addresses three questions. First, to what extent was the EU’s vision of ‘active ageing’ adopted in EU15 nations between 1995 and 2005? Second, what was the nature of policy reforms in these nations over this time period? Finally, which sub-groups within the older age cohort (here defined as between 50-74)1 were subject to active ageing policies in these countries? The methodology employed was cross-national policy analysis of EU15 nations’ policies for employment and retirement, encompassing the retention and re-engagement of older individuals in the labour market. The policy areas included are unemployment benefits, active labour market policies, state pension ages, early retirement routes and incentives for the deferral of pension receipt, in line with the EU targets and guidelines regarding ‘active ageing’. In addition, model biographies (divided according to age and contribution records) were employed to address the differential policy treatment of individuals within the older age cohort in terms of the various eligibility criteria and policy options available over the ten year period. The data indicates that though EU15 nations have made progress towards the EU policy prescriptions for active ageing, there is variation in a number of respects. First, nations differed in terms of their policy contexts, and as a result had lesser or greater distances to travel towards the EU vision of active ageing. Second, and related, these policy contexts to a degree directed subsequent national reforms and retrenchment, thus resulting in different policy approaches. Finally, at the micro-level, there is variation with regard to the policy treatment of individuals within the age cohort in EU15 nations. As a result, the active ageing policy logic is applied to older individuals differently. In terms of its contributions to knowledge, this thesis therefore provides more nuanced accounts of both the recommodification and reserve army of labour literatures. The recommodification of labour argument suggests that nations are moving away from decommodifying welfare arrangements to focus on the recommodification of labour yet the data demonstrate a great deal of variation in EU15 nations, in terms of their original policies for decommodification, their subsequent retrenchment and the type of policies introduced that recommodify labour. With regard to the reserve army of labour literature, the shift towards active ageing policies is part of a cyclical process whereby older workers are drawn into and ejected from the labour markets in periods of low and high unemployment respectively. The data however indicate that as the political economy of ageing literature suggests, ageing is not a homogenous experience and differential policy treatment within age cohorts maintains and exacerbates divergence at the micro level. Thus whilst the recommodification and reserve army of labour literatures suggest all individuals are being drawn into the labour market, the data emphasises differences at the micro level in terms of policy treatment, in line with the political economy of ageing literature

As políticas públicas refletem um modelo de atenção ao idoso, sendo que alguns dos seus pressupostos estão de acordo com a política do “Envelhecimento Ativo” da Organização Mundial de Saúde. A sociedade tem procurado dar atenção ao novo segmento populacional formado pelo envelhecimento populacional. A universidade, especialmente desde a última década, vem desenvolvendo iniciativas direcionadas a esse público. A Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) possui um programa de extensão universitária, desde o ano 2000, tendo como alvo o idoso e com ênfase nas ações de atividade física e lazer. Desse modo, o objetivo desse estudo foi analisar os pressupostos da política do Envelhecimento Ativo no contexto de um programa de extensão universitária com o público idoso. Esse estudo se caracterizou por uma abordagem qualitativa do tipo pesquisa-ação, sendo que a amostra foi composta pelos participantes do programa CELARI (Centro de Estudo de Lazer e Atividade Física do Idoso). A intervenção ocorreu a partir de um curso com oito encontros. Os instrumentos utilizados foram diário de campo e grupo focal, interpretados a partir da análise de conteúdo com categorias temáticas. Foram encontradas quatro categorias: Envelhecimento: processo de aceitação; CELARI: Promotor de qualidade de vida e saúde para o idoso; Celarianos: pertencimento social; Políticas públicas do idoso: conhecimento limitado. Acredita-se que os três pilares da Política de Envelhecimento Ativo: Saúde, Participação e Segurança são atendidos pelo programa através das suas estratégias podendo ser percebidos pelos próprios Celarianos. Contudo, é necessário incentivar mais os idosos a participar das atividades promovidas pelo programa. / Public policies reflect a model of care for the elderly, and some of its assumptions are in line with the World Health Organization's "Active Aging" policy. Society has sought to pay attention to the new population segment formed by population aging. The university, especially since the last decade, has been developing initiatives directed to this public. The Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) has a university extension program, since 2000, targeting the elderly and with emphasis on physical activity and leisure activities. Thereby, the objective of this study was to analyze the assumptions of the Active Aging policy in the context of a university extension program with the elderly public. This study was characterized by a qualitative approach of the research-action type, and the sample was composed by the participants of the CELARI (Center for the Study of Leisure and Physical Activity of the Elderly). The intervention occurred from a course with eight meetings. The instruments used were field diary and focus group, interpreted from the content analysis with thematic categories. Four categories were found: Aging: acceptance process; CELARI: Promoter of quality of life and health for the elderly; Celarians: social belonging; Public policies of the elderly: limited knowledge. It is believed that the three pillars of the Active Aging Policy: Health, Participation and Security are served by the program through its strategies and can be perceived by the Celarians themselves. However, it is necessary to encourage older people to participate in the activities promoted by the program.

In light of the European Union`s 2012 theme year: Active aging and solidarity between generations I wished to gain an understanding of weather elderly immigrant are provided with equal possibilities and access to local community information as the majority population and their participation in activities arranged for senior citizens in the municipality where they live. I have done this by meeting with those who work in this capacity. I also chose to meet with representatives for immigrant organizations in the local community to enquire of their work with senior citizens within their own ethnic group. This is a qualitative study on a phenomenological ground based on nine interviews and four observations. I have had two theories to help me analyze my empirical material. Globalization theory is a good groundwork to understanding the changes in modern multicultural societies where I have looked at the work of Anthony Giddens first at hand. The theory of KASAM by Aaron Antonowsky explains how the sense of coherence helps people to remain positive and satisfied in old age despite their failing health and unfavorable circumstances at times. I have found that the municipality where this study is preformed has a multicultural focus in their manor of spreading information. Yet many ethnic groups seek information verbally from friends and family rather than seek it through the official channels which may be more common among the majority population and immigrants that have established themselves in the society. Still all those whom I interviewed agreed that spreading information through direct contact always is the most effective way to get information across to people. I found that the local community meeting places for senior citizens have no immigrants attending on a regular basis. I did meet a group of senior migrant citizens with their origin in various nationalities that gather under the supervision of a cooperation project that has integration and public health as its main goal. All the participants in their activities for senior citizens started coming through personal invitation from the project leader or other group participants. With regards to the theme year those working with senior citizens were aware of it but haven’t had any specific focus on it in their work except for a few that participate in a regional public health project. They all agree that a theme year for active ageing and solidarity is an important milestone to recognizing the needs for recreation and showing respect to those who are beyond the age for retirement.

As políticas públicas refletem um modelo de atenção ao idoso, sendo que alguns dos seus pressupostos estão de acordo com a política do “Envelhecimento Ativo” da Organização Mundial de Saúde. A sociedade tem procurado dar atenção ao novo segmento populacional formado pelo envelhecimento populacional. A universidade, especialmente desde a última década, vem desenvolvendo iniciativas direcionadas a esse público. A Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) possui um programa de extensão universitária, desde o ano 2000, tendo como alvo o idoso e com ênfase nas ações de atividade física e lazer. Desse modo, o objetivo desse estudo foi analisar os pressupostos da política do Envelhecimento Ativo no contexto de um programa de extensão universitária com o público idoso. Esse estudo se caracterizou por uma abordagem qualitativa do tipo pesquisa-ação, sendo que a amostra foi composta pelos participantes do programa CELARI (Centro de Estudo de Lazer e Atividade Física do Idoso). A intervenção ocorreu a partir de um curso com oito encontros. Os instrumentos utilizados foram diário de campo e grupo focal, interpretados a partir da análise de conteúdo com categorias temáticas. Foram encontradas quatro categorias: Envelhecimento: processo de aceitação; CELARI: Promotor de qualidade de vida e saúde para o idoso; Celarianos: pertencimento social; Políticas públicas do idoso: conhecimento limitado. Acredita-se que os três pilares da Política de Envelhecimento Ativo: Saúde, Participação e Segurança são atendidos pelo programa através das suas estratégias podendo ser percebidos pelos próprios Celarianos. Contudo, é necessário incentivar mais os idosos a participar das atividades promovidas pelo programa. / Public policies reflect a model of care for the elderly, and some of its assumptions are in line with the World Health Organization's "Active Aging" policy. Society has sought to pay attention to the new population segment formed by population aging. The university, especially since the last decade, has been developing initiatives directed to this public. The Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) has a university extension program, since 2000, targeting the elderly and with emphasis on physical activity and leisure activities. Thereby, the objective of this study was to analyze the assumptions of the Active Aging policy in the context of a university extension program with the elderly public. This study was characterized by a qualitative approach of the research-action type, and the sample was composed by the participants of the CELARI (Center for the Study of Leisure and Physical Activity of the Elderly). The intervention occurred from a course with eight meetings. The instruments used were field diary and focus group, interpreted from the content analysis with thematic categories. Four categories were found: Aging: acceptance process; CELARI: Promoter of quality of life and health for the elderly; Celarians: social belonging; Public policies of the elderly: limited knowledge. It is believed that the three pillars of the Active Aging Policy: Health, Participation and Security are served by the program through its strategies and can be perceived by the Celarians themselves. However, it is necessary to encourage older people to participate in the activities promoted by the program.

I focused on the topic of activation of seniors in social care facilities in my diploma thesis. The aim of the diploma thesis was to describe possibilities regarding the activation of seniors in social care facilities and to find out how much the activation services in selected types of social care facilities differ. I conducted a research survey through interviews with social and activation workers from four types of social care facilities: homes for the elderly, special regimes homes, hospice care and social beds in long-term hospitals. The questions for the interviews were semi-structured and aimed at finding out the possibilities and differences in the activation of seniors in these facilities. All social care facilities are legally obliged to activate their clients. However, on the basis of this research, I have come to the conclusion that not all facilities follow this requirement. Some entities activate their clients very little, and for this reason, these people are suffering and their life feels meaningless. On the other side, in facilities where activation is provided, seniors are more satisfied, feel they have a meaningful life, and they enjoy their life. As a result of the research, I found that the differences in activation of seniors in social care facilities are really significant.

As políticas públicas refletem um modelo de atenção ao idoso, sendo que alguns dos seus pressupostos estão de acordo com a política do “Envelhecimento Ativo” da Organização Mundial de Saúde. A sociedade tem procurado dar atenção ao novo segmento populacional formado pelo envelhecimento populacional. A universidade, especialmente desde a última década, vem desenvolvendo iniciativas direcionadas a esse público. A Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) possui um programa de extensão universitária, desde o ano 2000, tendo como alvo o idoso e com ênfase nas ações de atividade física e lazer. Desse modo, o objetivo desse estudo foi analisar os pressupostos da política do Envelhecimento Ativo no contexto de um programa de extensão universitária com o público idoso. Esse estudo se caracterizou por uma abordagem qualitativa do tipo pesquisa-ação, sendo que a amostra foi composta pelos participantes do programa CELARI (Centro de Estudo de Lazer e Atividade Física do Idoso). A intervenção ocorreu a partir de um curso com oito encontros. Os instrumentos utilizados foram diário de campo e grupo focal, interpretados a partir da análise de conteúdo com categorias temáticas. Foram encontradas quatro categorias: Envelhecimento: processo de aceitação; CELARI: Promotor de qualidade de vida e saúde para o idoso; Celarianos: pertencimento social; Políticas públicas do idoso: conhecimento limitado. Acredita-se que os três pilares da Política de Envelhecimento Ativo: Saúde, Participação e Segurança são atendidos pelo programa através das suas estratégias podendo ser percebidos pelos próprios Celarianos. Contudo, é necessário incentivar mais os idosos a participar das atividades promovidas pelo programa. / Public policies reflect a model of care for the elderly, and some of its assumptions are in line with the World Health Organization's "Active Aging" policy. Society has sought to pay attention to the new population segment formed by population aging. The university, especially since the last decade, has been developing initiatives directed to this public. The Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) has a university extension program, since 2000, targeting the elderly and with emphasis on physical activity and leisure activities. Thereby, the objective of this study was to analyze the assumptions of the Active Aging policy in the context of a university extension program with the elderly public. This study was characterized by a qualitative approach of the research-action type, and the sample was composed by the participants of the CELARI (Center for the Study of Leisure and Physical Activity of the Elderly). The intervention occurred from a course with eight meetings. The instruments used were field diary and focus group, interpreted from the content analysis with thematic categories. Four categories were found: Aging: acceptance process; CELARI: Promoter of quality of life and health for the elderly; Celarians: social belonging; Public policies of the elderly: limited knowledge. It is believed that the three pillars of the Active Aging Policy: Health, Participation and Security are served by the program through its strategies and can be perceived by the Celarians themselves. However, it is necessary to encourage older people to participate in the activities promoted by the program.

Workshops on aging: a contribution to active aging - SynopsisThere is a global silent revolution that places the elderly as its protagonist; the population shift demands its treatment as a social economic problem transcendental to the twenty first century. Active aging positions itself as a strategic weapon to face said problem. The aim of this study is to present the various workshops for elderly persons who are held at the National University of Quilmes, the only ones that are offered for different age. Its origin, operation and aiming to achieve purposes. The aim is to help the elderly achieve better quality of live, revalue and positively accept the fact of growing old. Facilitate the access to cultural available resources. Evaluate the human capital of the elderly person and consider him as a socially active component. Growing old is a personal and collective achievement in society. / En todo el mundo se asiste a una revolución silenciosa, en la cual el protagonista es el adulto mayor; el cambio poblacional apunta a considerarlo como un problema socioeconómico trascendente del siglo XXI. Y el envejecimiento activo se perfila como un arma estratégica para enfrentar la problemática planteada. El objetivo del presente trabajo es presentar los distintos talleres para adultos mayores que se dictan en la Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, su origen, su funcionamiento y los propósitos a los que se aspira en cada uno de ellos. Se intenta contribuir a que el adulto mayor mejore su calidad de vida, revalorizar a la persona mayor y aceptar positivamente el hecho de hacernos mayores, facilitarle el acceso a los recursos culturales de su entorno, reconocer el capital humano de la persona mayor y considerarlo como un agente socialmente activo. Envejecer es un éxito personal y colectivo, y más si se envejece activamente y participando plenamente en la sociedad.

Neste estudo reflito a respeito de uma prática teatral (oficina de teatro) como atividade que pode contribuir com a inclusão do idoso na vida social e, desse modo, favorecer sua emancipação, entendida como autonomia e independência na velhice. Na primeira etapa, realizei revisão bibliográfica no qual busquei publicações referentes a oficinas de teatro para idosos, a fim de conhecer as metodologias utilizadas nestes cursos, seus objetivos e o desenvolvimento de seus respectivos processos artísticos. De acordo com as publicações que escolhi para analisar, verifiquei que um dos principais objetivos para a realização das oficinas de teatro em grupos de idosos era o de favorecer sua participação social e política, utilizando-se deste processo artístico para contribuir com a reflexão do idoso sobre sua trajetória histórico-social, valorizando suas experiências e ressignificando-as de modo a potencializá-los para mantê-los ativos. Posteriormente, realizei um grupo focal com os idosos integrantes do grupo de teatro Art&fato da Idade, que contou também com a realização de uma oficina experimental de teatro e entrevistas individuais, nas quais analisei os principais aspectos relacionados à emancipação desses idosos. Através destes encontros realizados, tanto no grupo focal como na oficina de teatro, percebi que os três aspectos que emergiram intensamente no grupo foram: família, convenções sociais e sexualidade, e que estes se relacionam entre si e estão diretamente associados à emancipação / In this study I reflect on a theatrical practice (theater workshop) as an activity that can contribute to the inclusion of the elderly in social life and thus promote their empowerment, understood as autonomy and independence in old age. In the first stage, I performed a literature review in which I sought publications related to theater workshops for seniors, in order to know the methodologies used in these courses, its objectives and the development of their artistic processes. According to the publications that chose to analyze, I found that one the main objectives for the realization of theater workshops in elderly groups were to favor their social and political participation, using this artistic process to contribute to the reflection of the elderly about its social history trajectory, valuing their experiences and giving new meaning to them in order to empower them to keep them active. Later, I conducted a focus group with elderly members of the theater group \"Art&fato da Idade\", which also featured performing an experimental theater workshop and individual interviews, in which I analyzed the main aspects related to the emancipation of the elderly. Through these meetings, both in the focus group as in the theater workshop, I realized that the three aspects that emerged strongly in the group were: family, social conventions and sexuality, and that they relate to each other and are directly associated with emancipation

At present, the issue of population aging is discussed. In the framework of public policies is becoming increasingly important concept of active aging, which emphasizes human development and social participation in old age. They created the societal conditions for its implementation, but which takes place at the individual level. One of the activities, which is also supported under the National Strategy to support positive aging is volunteering. In the Czech Republic, however, in this activity relatively few seniors are involved. I examined the obstacles and possible solutions perceived by different types of stakeholders. I have conducted dozen expert interviews with representatives of senior and non-profit organizations and ministries and I have also analyzed the relevant documents. Actors saw some gaps in funding, the creation of a National Action Plan, the activities of the Working Group to support education and volunteerism, but also in terms of awareness and the overall interests of seniors in volunteering. Stakeholders have proposed some minor changes notably by overcoming excessive formality of the entire policy , raising awareness of the specific opportunities and changes in financing. Senior representatives opinion differ a lot from the other. They want to introduce a law on seniors and...

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