1 of 20

1 - THE AGEING PROCESS

CT4 Silver Caregivers |2020-1-ES01-KA202-081989

2 of 20

CT4 Silver Caregivers |2020-1-ES01-KA202-081989

3 of 20

About this module

This is what you will do:

  • Learn about how ageing is a process of growth that consists an elemental part of the society.
  • Create links between the different aspects and determinants of ageing in order to acquire a more holistic understanding on what is considered “successful aging”.
  • Identify the key role of the elderly in societal changes and the importance of active participation while ageing.
  • Use their experience to reflect and discuss concepts of policy, culture, gender and the economy, in relation to aging and remaining active.

CT4 Silver Caregivers |2020-1-ES01-KA202-081989

4 of 20

What will you get?

  • Identify key elements of one’s own concept of successful ageing
  • Being capable of providing advice and appropriate resources to stimulate active-mind while ageing

Knowledge

CT4 Silver Caregivers |2020-1-ES01-KA202-081989

5 of 20

What will you get?

  • Being an active listener in order to support reflection and doubt upon the process of change coming alongside ageing.
  • Design learning circles or one on one sessions for discussing concepts of mindfulness, wellness and social engagement.

Skills

CT4 Silver Caregivers |2020-1-ES01-KA202-081989

6 of 20

What will you get?

  • Critically perceive policies and societal structures that include or exclude the elderly from several sectors of life.
  • Become proactive in terms of motivating engagement and cultivating the ideals on taking grasp of the power the older population still have in society.

Attitude

CT4 Silver Caregivers |2020-1-ES01-KA202-081989

7 of 20

1.

INGREDIENTS OF SUCCESSFUL AGEING

CT4 Silver Caregivers |2020-1-ES01-KA202-081989

8 of 20

(1) Understanding the stages of ageing

Group session (30 min)

Each participant will present their future selves.

Group reflection.

Group session (30 min)

Presentation of the 5 Stages of Ageing.

Discussion.

Autonomous work (1 hour)

Each participant will construct their future lives based on the 5 stages of ageing.

Give as many details as possible.

CT4 Silver Caregivers |2020-1-ES01-KA202-081989

9 of 20

The 5 stages of ageing

1

3

5

4

2

Independence

Dependency

End of life

Interdependence

Crisis management

Based on the (in)dependence levels of the person

CT4 Silver Caregivers |2020-1-ES01-KA202-081989

10 of 20

Present your future self!

  • Study the 5 stages of ageing
  • Imagine yourself in each of these stages
  • Be as detailed as possible (needs, desires, level of independence, social circle etc.)
  • Presentation
  • Group reflection

CT4 Silver Caregivers |2020-1-ES01-KA202-081989

11 of 20

(2) Discussing factors of successful ageing

Autonomous work (40 min)

Read the article: “Age-friendly cities of Europe”

  • Locate the factors of successful ageing.
  • Note the most interesting strategies or the ones with the most potential.

Further study:

Read the approach to healthy ageing by the World Health Organization (WHO).

CT4 Silver Caregivers |2020-1-ES01-KA202-081989

12 of 20

The WHO Age-friendly Cities framework has proposed �8 interconnected domains that identify and address barriers to the well-being and participation of the elderly

Communication and Information

Civic Participation and Employment

Respect and

Social Inclusion

Outdoor Spaces and Buildings

Social

Participation

Housing

Transportation

Community and healthcare

A wide range of accessible and affordable health services

Affordable, well-designed and safe housing

A range of housing options with good connectivity to social services and the community

A pleasant, clean and secure environment with green spaces

Age-friendly buildings, pavements and walkways, safe pedestrian crossings and adequate rest areas

Volunteerism and employment opportunities

Encouraging civic participation

Accessible, affordable and safe public transport

Age-friendly driving conditions and parking facilities

A range of accessible and affordable activities

Encouraging participation and intergenerational integration

Respect for seniors

Social and economic inclusion

Appropriate and age-friendly distribution of information

CT4 Silver Caregivers |2020-1-ES01-KA202-081989

13 of 20

Group session (1 hour)

Discuss all the different factors of successful ageing

    • What is happening in our country?
    • Which strategies you found most interesting?
    • Can they be adopted in our country?

CT4 Silver Caregivers |2020-1-ES01-KA202-081989

14 of 20

(3) Reviewing the rights and needs of the ageing populations

Study and reflect

Watch and discuss

Read and compare

Group session

(1,5 hours)

CT4 Silver Caregivers |2020-1-ES01-KA202-081989

15 of 20

Watch the video “How older people’s human rights are denied” developed by HelpAge international and the United Nations Development Programme.

Read the AGE’s Human Rights Manifesto and then learn about the rights-based approach to ageing by reading this overview (again by the AGE Platform Europe).

Read the report of the Secretary-General of UNHR about the human rights of older persons and also read the European Pillar of Social Rights.

Hold a group discussion and make a list of the rights and the needs of the ageing population according to your opinion.

Reflect upon those issues.

Compare them with your group’s list and reflect upon them.

CT4 Silver Caregivers |2020-1-ES01-KA202-081989

16 of 20

Seeing older people as a burden also devalues the work of people who care for them. Ageism therefore makes it difficult to invest in care and improve the status and working conditions for caregivers.

AGE Platform Europe –Human Rights Are For All Ages, page 8.

CT4 Silver Caregivers |2020-1-ES01-KA202-081989

17 of 20

(4) Ageing as a growth process

Structure:

40 minutes of autonomous work and 1 hour group session.

Autonomous work:

Watch a video for inspiration and then search for a real-life case of a senior citizen that showcases of elements of growth.

Group session:

Presentation of the cases, discussion on the perspective that ageing is a growth process and mention of good practices.

CT4 Silver Caregivers |2020-1-ES01-KA202-081989

18 of 20

  • Start by watching the video “Growing old is a blessing” by Maria Alejandro, a seniors advocate, for inspiration.
  • Each participant has to find a real-life case of a senior citizen that showcases elements of growth and prepare it for presentation to the whole group.
  • The examples can be from personal experience or search on the internet. A place to start is WHO’s “Portraits of life beyond 65”.

In this way you will get to know more about the ageing process by real-life examples and, maybe, change your perspective of it to realize that it is (or can be) a growth process for everyone involved.

CT4 Silver Caregivers |2020-1-ES01-KA202-081989

19 of 20

Discussion

How can this be facilitated?

How can we contribute?

You can also mention examples of good practices

Presentation

CT4 Silver Caregivers |2020-1-ES01-KA202-081989

20 of 20

Thank You!

Any questions?

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication (communication) reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

CT4 Silver Caregivers |2020-1-ES01-KA202-081989