We kindly inform you that, as long as the subject affiliation of our 300.000+ articles is in progress, you might get unsufficient or no results on your third level or second level search. In this case, please broaden your search criteria.
The “Silver Tsunami” is here! According to various relevant sources such as the UN Population Division, the WHO, and the ILO, population across the world is getting older. By 2050, there will be more than 20% of the world’s population aged 65 years and over. Statistics for the European Union reveal the same - the age structure of the European population is expected to change significantly over the next decades and by 2060, the share of people aged 65 and above will increase from 18% to 30% compared to now, while the share of people aged above 80 will more than double. Thus, in addition to notions such as “Silver Tsunami”, “Age Wave”, and the like, it is not surprising that the European Union has launched a notion “Silver Economy” related to economic activities of the population aged 50 and over and their impact on various sectors of the national economy. This negative demographic transition, i.e. population aging, has shown four very distinctive features: unprecedented, pervasiveness, endurance and profound implications on human life in general. On a more personal level, what we are witnessing today as a trend, we will experience first-hand in the decades to come. Yet, times are changing. An aging population is becoming a reality that is surrounded by various myths when it comes to older people as workers or as consumers. The fact is that people today live longer and healthier lives, which requires a shift in perception of age when it comes to supply and demand sides of economics. It also holds true from the perspective of other disciplines. This, in turn, opens a new frontier in academic, practical and policy thinking about rethinking aging and redesigning retirement. This multidisciplinary edited book “The Aging Society: Rethinking and Redesigning Retirement” is one attempt not to be swept away by the “Silver Tsunami” tide. The content of the chapters reveals the multifaceted and highly complex issue of aging which brought together researchers from various fields. Aging has been initially dominant in medical research since it is primarily a physiological process, yet it has proven to be a social transformation with numerous repercussions calling for researchers from economics, communication, law and others to join the scientific discussion. The authors in this edition have tried to shed light on the potential of aging research by drawing attention to various topics such as aging as a normal process, concept and measurement of the quality of life of the elderly, financial challenges and retirement literacy of the older population, specific bioethical issues, silver architecture for seniors, protection of the rights and safety of older people in transport, social entrepreneurship and franchising, collaborative economy, an age-specific ICT use gap, media literacy and communication. The book has gathered authors from Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek – Faculty of Economics in Osijek, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Medicine Osijek / Clinical Hospital Center Osijek and Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture Osijek, as well as Faculty of Economics and Business Zagreb (University of Zagreb), Virovitica College, Croatian Education and Teacher Training Agency, University of Information Science and Technology, “St. Paul the Apostle” (Macedonia), Beykoz University, Vocational School at Department of Social Sciences (Turkey), Nisantasi University, Vocational School at Department of Logistics (Turkey), and Warsaw School of Economics (Poland). Such institutional diversity is a signal that the issue of aging is a universally attractive research topic that easily transcends disciplinary and national boundaries. As editors of this book, we feel obliged to applaud our authors for making a research effort and scientific contribution in the advent of the global COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Our gratitude is extended to our reviewers who have been affirmative towards the content and style of this work. The publication of this book will be a permanent reminder of strength, diligence, creativity and resilience of academic scholars as individuals and universities as institutions in times challenging us on both a personal and a professional level.
More...
According to world statistics coming from various international sources, we are witnessing a demographic shift that has resulted in the graying of the population at an unprecedented rate. In Europe alone, the percentage of people 65 and over is expected to reach over 30% of the population by the year 2050. When we additionally consider that life expectancy is increasing and that people’s perception of older age /retirement age is changing due to better living standards, then it is obvious that policymakers across the world need to invest serious effort to ensure the quality of life for the older population. The concept of quality of life is known as a notion in various social and human sciences. However, since the notion of quality itself is subjected to numerous definitions and often coupled with personal feelings and expectations, there are indications that concepts and concerns related to the quality of life in older ages may be different from the rest of the population. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the notion of quality of life and relate it to the aging population. By using the method of a narrative review of selected literature, the paper will try to capture multiple dimensions of the quality of life. As older people mostly assess their quality of life through health, social engagement, dependency, material circumstances, social comparison and the like, it is clear that the concept of quality of life is elusive and complicates an exact definition and measurement.
More...
The collaborative or sharing economy has been developing rapidly in recent years along with the digital transformation on the global scale as well as in the EU. Many Internet-based collaborative platforms enable citizens and entrepreneurs to participate in the (digital) market and to offer services on a part-time or professional basis while stimulating the variety of choice and price competitiveness. The paper examines recent trends in the use of collaborative economy platforms in the European Union focusing on the senior citizens (65 years and older) as a very specific demographic segment especially regarding the usage of ICT enabled initiatives. This paper uses an adjusted Eurobarometer research methodology which was carried out in 2018 in 28 EU Member States with a total sample of 26,544 respondents from different social and demographic groups, and the primary data access was enabled through the Gesis database. A total of 8,561 senior respondents was filtered from the initial data-set to create the primary sample for the research. Specific types of collaborative economy platforms are explored, as well as the main advantages and disadvantages of the platforms used.
More...
Life of retired people cannot be financed from the public systems only. The attrition rate has been decreasing for many years and pension systems in many countries are at risk of bankruptcy. The author compares different kinds of investments possible to be made to finance the retirement period. The analysis of risk and return is conducted for typical retirement investments like bonds, stocks, or real estate. The paper aims at answering the question if it is possible to choose the best asset at any time as the retirement time investment. The study is done on the basis of the Polish investor and also contains the analysis of different types of risks concerned with analyzed kinds of assets.
More...
ICT is considered as one of the fundamental values and contribution to the digital economy. ICT use is becoming an increasingly crucial determinant for the old-age population to meet their demands for high-quality life and low-cost services. However, ICT use, including the employment of online purchase of the elderly population, varies widely among different EU-281 countries. This study aims to investigate Internet usage, especially in terms of online purchase behaviors among elderly Europeans aged 65 and older. Through clustering analysis, the aim of the paper is to identify the heterogeneity in Internet usage among the elderly population in the EU members. Results highlight the gap that exists in the level of online purchasing widely among EU countries.
More...
Since the world’s population is aging, there have been numerous articles, books, and research conducted on that topic connected with the quality of life, expectations, and realistic possibilities. An additional point in favor of considering the elderly population as an unresearched economy or market is that for the first time since 2018 we have more people over 64 than children younger than 5 years of age. Elderly people today are of course different than previous generations of pensioners. This is especially important when it comes to technology usage. On the other hand, information and communication technology has never been more affordable and accessible. Software solutions have become our everyday passion and mobile devices are the last thing we check before falling asleep. Also, the information, in general, is more important and easier to get and resourceful for different kinds of analysis. The main aim of the chapter is to research ICT options and solutions for the population gathered under the umbrella term Silver Economy (the elderly in our societies). Services and applications which can make their life easier and better will be considered together with preparation of pensioners to use ICT. Mainly analyzing statistical data, the chapter will use a short questionnaire and interviews to check the situation in the local environment. Finally, a comparison will be made among the elderly population in terms of ICT usage in Japan, the USA, the EU, and Croatia.
More...
The prevalence of the aging society phenomenon in the last decade forces governments, countries, and people to re-evaluate the perspectives and potential of lifelong learning and the effects it has on the society as a whole. According to World Bank data, the percentage in the total world population in the 0-14 year-old segment is declining, while the United Nations predict that by the year 2050 there will be more people over the age of 60 (2.1 billion) than the adolescents and young people aged 10-24 years (2 billion). The segment of elderly people has longer life expectancy and better overall health condition due to advances in medicine and technology. These trends implicate urgency for better inclusion and defining new roles for this segment. The most effective way to do this is to enable the elderly to have access to information and to know how to properly use it. The major role in this shift is certainly played by information and communication technology. The aim of this paper is to examine the state and possibilities of including the elderly as a more active society member through the use of digital technology and lifelong learning.
More...
Physical activity is beneficial to people of all ages and is associated with reducing morbidity and prolonging life expectancy. Exercise has been linked to several beneficial health outcomes, including improved bone and muscle health, reduced risk of obesity, diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, certain types of cancer, and overall mortality. It can also improve cognitive functions, reduce the risk of falls and fall-related injuries in older adults, and reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. The most common risks of exercise are injuries to the musculoskeletal system. More severe but less common risks include arrhythmias, sudden cardiac arrest, and myocardial infarction. The benefits of exercise outweigh the potential risks. By exercising the elderly improve mobility, strength, flexibility, and stability. It can improve daily functioning, reduce the risk of falls and consequent injuries, and help maintain independence. It is never too late for physical activity, and every physical activity has health benefits. Group exercise programs have the added benefit of social inclusion. Before starting physical activity, it is necessary to assess the current activity, determine the presence of symptoms and signs of known chronic diseases, and the desired intensity of exercise. Four categories of exercise are recommended for older adults: aerobic exercise, strength exercises, flexibility, and balance. It usually starts with moderate-intensity aerobic activities for 30 minutes five days a week or vigorous activities three days a week. Flexibility is significant for performing daily life activities; flexibility exercises should be performed twice a week for 10 minutes.
More...
This paper presents the research whose aim was to investigate age-friendly urbanism characteristics and answer the question: Does managing the creation of age-friendly environments lead to sustainable development goals? Applying theoretical scientific methods like induction, deduction, analysis, classification, and description, a review of relevant scientific literature and legislative and strategic publications has been conducted. In addition to that, the case of the City of Osijek has been studied. The introduction of the paper presents aging and increased urbanization as two significant forces shaping living in the 21st century. Building onto those presumptions, age-friendly cities have been defined as those that foster healthy and active aging by enabling the more extraordinary functional ability for elderly citizens. The second chapter reveals characteristics of modern cities, emphasizing polycentricity to maintain humanity and functionality even in fast emerging megacities. Additionally, given the impact that increased urbanization has on sustainable development, the effect of sustainable development goals has been pointed out. The third chapter reviews the existing body of knowledge of age-friendly environments, encompassing municipal services, the social environment, and the physical environment. It also reflects on person-environment fit and elaborates the importance of the right to the city.
More...
Retirement represents the end of working life and career, and the so-called „deserved rest”. For some, this ending means the beginning of life at a „slower pace”, time for delayed events, activities, hobbies, opportunities, while others, for various reasons and different motives, delay this event. The extension of working life is undoubted affected by a better standard of living, better health care, and legislation and regulations. Most people look forward to retirement to devote more time to themselves and their families. However, there is another group of people who are postponing this event. Various factors influence the decision to extend working life, closely related to the employee’s job and position. This paper investigates events and causes that affect the postponement of retirement and the motives „forcing” people to extend their working life. The interview method was used to collect data, which enabled an in-depth analysis of the interviewees’ reasons, behaviors, and decisions. The paper aims to show that the retirement decision can be delayed by various causes and the observed persons’ characteristics, motives, and attitudes. The collected data results can be used by participants in the policy process when creating social policies and retirement conditions.
More...
Communication is a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a standard system of symbols, signs, or behavior exchanging information; it can be verbal, nonverbal, or nowadays mainly in the electronic form. Electronic communication can be defined as the communication which uses electronic media to transmit the information or message using computers, e-mail, telephone, video calling, FAX machine, etc. This type of communication can be developed by sharing data like images, graphics, sound, pictures, maps, software, and many other things. E-communication has changed due to how the public members interact and communicate with each other for different purposes, such as personal or business. By using e-communication, it is straightforward to communicate with the world. This paper focuses on older people's social media usage and how it affects their lives, concerning the significant age difference between them and the new generations. For the paper, a research-based on a questionnaire for the third age population (65+) was conducted, divided into three subgroups: the young-old (65-74), the middle old (75-84), and the very old (85+), with questions defining their knowledge about social media, their advantages and possibilities, why they are using them, and how much they know about problematic issues related to social media usage that are happening on social media. The research aimed to make a profile of older people as users of social media.
More...
According to Eurostat (2021), the at-risk-of-poverty rate of older people in the Republic of Croatia has increased over the past several years. In December 2020, it was 31 percent. The Strategy for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion in the Republic of Croatia 2014-2020 (Strategy) recognizes older people as vulnerable to poverty, social exclusion, material deprivation, and discrimination. Poverty in the Republic of Croatia also has a territorial dimension. The highest geographical concentration of factors influencing the share of people at risk of poverty can be found in small towns and settlements in the country’s east and southeast regions and rural areas. This chapter aims to emphasize the problem of poverty among older people in the Republic of Croatia. The findings and recommendations may be used for policy suggestions to relevant institutions.
More...
Economists have been increasingly engaged in the scientific debate on a demographic trend that is taking place around the globe – aging. Their contribution is noticed when discussing and researching the impact of aging on the economy and society to provide various theoretical models, particularly from the macroeconomic point of view. The issue of aging is part of population economics which is again part of the neoclassical mainstream. On the other hand, academic scholars from other disciplines such as sociology, law, and the like are producing their standpoints recognized as the “political economy of old age”. This chapter briefly presents the focus of economists on the issue of aging.
More...
The aging population results in numerous challenges, including an increase in the number of unemployed persons, problems in sustainability of pension funds, a decrease in the standard of quality of life due to lessening financial resources, and others. Senior entrepreneurship as a career option or partial retirement can aid in addressing the issues mentioned above, as entrepreneurship, in general, improves the economic position. Furthermore, it can help improve quality of life, specifically to achieve self-actualization as a need. This chapter aims to determine challenges that senior entrepreneurs meet and their motivation drivers and to recommend actions to policymakers to successfully support this type of entrepreneurship.
More...
Online banking is considered one of the main contributions of the Internet to global society. Adoption of online banking services could be recognized as one of the metrics for digital inclusion of the population, especially for the elderly. Notably, the value of online banking services is considered significant and worthwhile during the pandemic period. Online banking is becoming increasingly crucial for the elders to meet their demands for high-quality, low-cost, and secure services. This study investigates online banking services among the elderly in Macedonia and Croatia, and compares the results with EU members. Through the survey analysis and available secondary data, the objectives are to identify differences in online banking services among the elderly and recognize the issues that influence the embracement of the digitalization of the banking services in the examined countries. The results have detected the gap existing in the adoption of online banking services and revealed the emerging, growing trend in the exploitation in all the examined countries.
More...
New trends in the use of social media, increasingly involving the general public, also widen the research focus of all generations, i.e. (new) media consumers and producers (prosumers). This chapter aims to establish the motivation for using social networks to explain the enormous popularity of Facebook, Instagram, and other networks among the older (Baby Boomer) generation. With the help of the uses and gratifications theory, the author investigates the gratifications the older population achieves when using social networks and the uses (desires) they satisfy. The author attempts to answer the questions – Does the elderly population (50+) use social networks, especially Facebook, to meet their cognitive needs and escapist purposes? Has the younger population decreasingly used Facebook as a social network since older generations (their parents, grandparents, and digital immigrants) appeared on it? – through research using in-depth interviews and the theory of uses and gratifications of social networks.
More...
Many social problems that are present in the South East Europe (SEE), such as unemployment, low political participation and migration, high brain drain, the highest unemployment rates of youth in Europe and the lowest rates of political participation of young people are particularly visible when it comes to youth, as they are a special social category. All these problems require a systematic approach and thorough analysis which can result in needed change and progress. The “Civic Platform for Young Liberal Activists” (CPLA) is a project organized by European Liberal Forum with the support of the Center Party International Foundation (CIS), Haya van Someren Stichting/VVD Internationaal and Boris Divkovic Foundation. The aim of this project is to provoke interest of youth in political activism, within the broad spectrum of civil society including political parties, NGOs and social movements. Liberal political NGOs of South-East Europe gathered young representatives of liberal political parties with one goal - to raise awareness of youth activism. As a part of the project tasks, teams had to write Opinion Pieces on a chosen topic that is relevant for their county, but also for the region. Due to the restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, teams did not have the opportunity to meet in person, however, their strong will and joint goals resulted in a publication named “The Voice of Youth”.
More...
The fast technological improvements, sustainable growth and development of the world economy have led to what has become a fundamental determinant of the modern, hectic way of life, known as the lifestyle of the 21st century. In such context, people’s expectations are increasing, and they are always seeking for the new opportunities; however, many are often failing to take a break from every day’s haste and stress. Young people often do not have time for their private and business obligations, and thus for activism and caring for society. Scientist in technical and architectural sciences, Mr. sc. Marina Šimunić, finds that only 5% of young people are socially engaged in the Republic of Croatia. This research finds the main reason for such a low interest in social activities and lack of initiative for changes is the fact that youth accept their community as it is. Decreased involvement of young people in social actions has becoming more evident in Croatia especially, when an average of 30,000 young people a year have migrated in the period from 2015 to 2020.
More...
In this final chapter, we aim to interpret the findings presented in the individual chapters of the book within the theoretical frame outlined in Chapter 1. We assess the main findings regarding the current development of childcare and eldercare policies in the Czech Republic and Norway, the discourses of the policy actors in both countries, and the strategies and views of families that are providing and ensuring care for children and elderly persons. Lastly, we discuss some possibilities for policy changes or innovations that might facilitate the combination of family care with paid employment.
More...