Abstract
Europe faces many challenges arising from the demographic change, particularly in what concerns the healthcare services and social security systems. Policymakers need to improve the active ageing process, fostering the participation in the labour market, society and economy, as well as reducing social isolation at the latest stages of life. How can policy decision-makers observe a subject concept such as Active Ageing? Using data from the AAL4ALL final users’ survey, we propose an individual measure of active ageing in Portugal following the European commission Active Ageing Index, built at the country level. The analysis of this index shows that government policy should focus on measures to prevent physical activity complications and develop further the provision and promotion of social services and activities.
We benefited from the collaboration of Comfort Keepers, who provided the data for the current research project. All opinions are our own.
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Notes
- 1.
Zaidi et al. (2013).
- 2.
Simões (2012).
- 3.
Here measured by the Active Ageing Index and self-assessed health indicator, respectively.
- 4.
According to \( f{\left({x}_i\right)}_N=\frac{f\left({x}_i\right)-\min \left(f\left({x}_i\right)\right)}{\max \left(f\left({x}_i\right)\right)-\min \kern0.28em \left(f\left({x}_i\right)\right)} \)
- 5.
A first attempt was made only taking into account subjects with the maximum level of social activity and participation in recreational activities. However, only 105 of the retired subjects fulfil these requirements, and the different approach had no impact on the estimation exercise.
- 6.
None of the explanatory variables the variables used to construct the index are included in the estimation.
- 7.
For further details on the econometric models specifications, see Stock and Watson (2003).
- 8.
- 9.
See Fig. 15.7 in Annex 2.
- 10.
In our survey, current health status corresponds to being either healthy, in recovery, having a chronic or an acute disease.
- 11.
See also Annex 1 for variables description.
- 12.
- 13.
Table 15.11 in Annex 4.
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Annex 2
Annex 3
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de Almeida, S.V., Barros, P.P. (2018). How Relevant is Active Ageing? Evidence from Portugal. In: Zaidi, A., Harper, S., Howse, K., Lamura, G., Perek-Białas, J. (eds) Building Evidence for Active Ageing Policies. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-6017-5_15
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