Majella Simard, M. Alberio, Gérard-François Dumont
Research Framework: The aging of the population, unprecedented in human history, is a complex reality of the 21st century. This complexity is rooted not only in social and biological, but also in quantitative phenomena. Population aging is in the strict sense a structural effect, an increase in the proportion of the elderly in a given population, while the increase in aged persons is an effect of flux, which quantifies the increase in the number of seniors, those 65 years of age or older (Dumont, 2018a). Although its four main causes (increased life expectancy, decreased number of births, migration, demographic changes) are unanimously accepted by researchers; the manifestations, consequences and responses to aging are far from homogeneous (Breton et Temporal, 2019; Blanchet, 2013; Dumont, 2006; Simard, 2010). Indeed, the consequences of aging differ from one region to another, forcing us to understand population issues in targeted and specific ways, socially, economically and geopolitically (Dumont, 2016a, 2018b; Saillant, 2016; Gucher, 2012; Hodge, 2008). All of society’s institutions are affected by the challenges of an aging population: policies, employment, work, health, family, social security, regional management and development, and even democratic functioning. These diverse issues influence both seniors’ quality of life (Rican et al., 2013) and collaborative and regional governance. Objectives: To identify the main issues and challenges associated with population aging in improving the social inclusion and quality of life of seniors. These issues and challenges relate to seniors' income, accessibility of and proximity to local services, equipment and infrastructure, elder care and workforce planning. Methodology: This article draws on the different contributions in this thematic issue and on the expertise of the three authors. In addition, based on a literature review, we advocate a content analysis, which will be combined with empirical data found mainly, but not exclusively, in various Statistics Canada documents. Results: Most of these issues and challenges originate at the grassroots level, local or regional. However, their implementation requires energetic top-down action, as local and regional leaders, despite their good intentions, do not have all of the required tools and means to address them. Conclusions: A regional policy on aging must be implemented that considers the local and regional characteristics of the environment concerned and the needs expressed by seniors and their families. Thus, environments must be created that are conducive to improving the quality of life and vitality of both the elderly and those around them. In addition, cross-functional gerontological actions must be initiated that involve partnering with both endogenous and exogenous stakeholders, and that consider the regional diversity of aging. The objective is to ensure that people remain active in society as they age – a prerequisite for preserving the
研究框架:人口老龄化是人类历史上前所未有的,是21世纪复杂的现实。这种复杂性不仅源于社会和生物学,还源于数量现象。从严格意义上讲,人口老龄化是一种结构效应,即特定人口中老年人比例的增加,而老年人的增加是一种流动效应,它量化了65岁或65岁以上老年人数量的增加(Dumont,2018a)。尽管它的四个主要原因(预期寿命增加、出生人数减少、移民、人口结构变化)被研究人员一致接受;对衰老的表现、后果和反应远非同质(Breton et Temporal,2019;布兰切特,2013;杜蒙,2006年;西马德,2010年)。事实上,老龄化的后果因地区而异,迫使我们从社会、经济和地缘政治的角度,以有针对性和具体的方式理解人口问题(Dumont,2016a,2018b;Saillant,2016;古彻,2012年;霍奇,2008年)。社会的所有机构都受到人口老龄化挑战的影响:政策、就业、工作、卫生、家庭、社会保障、区域管理和发展,甚至民主运作。这些不同的问题影响着老年人的生活质量(Rica et al.,2013)以及合作和区域治理。目标:确定与人口老龄化相关的主要问题和挑战,以提高老年人的社会包容和生活质量。这些问题和挑战涉及老年人的收入、获得和接近当地服务、设备和基础设施、老年人护理和劳动力规划。方法论:本文借鉴了这一专题的不同贡献以及三位作者的专业知识。此外,在文献综述的基础上,我们主张进行内容分析,该分析将与主要但不完全在加拿大统计局的各种文件中发现的经验数据相结合。结果:这些问题和挑战大多发生在基层、地方或区域。然而,它们的实施需要自上而下的有力行动,因为地方和区域领导人尽管有良好的意愿,却没有解决这些问题所需的所有工具和手段。结论:必须实施一项区域老龄化政策,考虑到当地和区域环境的特点以及老年人及其家庭表达的需求。因此,必须创造有利于提高老年人及其周围人的生活质量和活力的环境。此外,必须启动跨职能的老年病学行动,包括与内源性和外源性利益相关者合作,并考虑到老龄化的区域多样性。目标是确保人们随着年龄的增长而在社会中保持活跃——这是保持健康的先决条件。贡献:从学术角度来看,与本期其他作者一样,我们的报告基于三个密切相关的内生模型。这些是能力建设和赋予利益攸关方权力、合作治理和渐进的地方发展。尽管这些不同的模式是刺激地方举措,特别是带来社会变革的社会创新的有效渠道,但它们并没有解决与积极健康老龄化相关的多重挑战,这需要在区域一级开展跨职能干预。
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