The Active Ageing-concept translated to the residential long-term care.
OBJECTIVE
Active Ageing (AA), as described by the WHO (Active Ageing: a policy framework. World Health Organisation, Geneva 5), is an important concept in gerontology. Since the AA-concept has not been examined in the context of residential long-term care facilities, our study addresses this gap by describing the determinants of AA within this setting.


METHODS
A qualitative study with semi-structured focus groups, followed by a thematic analysis, was conducted. Through purposive sampling, four focus groups of either residents of long-term care facilities (n = 8), children of residents (n = 8), community-dwelling older people (n = 8) and gerontologists (n = 6) were formed.


RESULTS
The thematic analysis yielded nine determinants of AA. Seven correspond to those identified by the WHO: Culture, Behaviour, Psychological Factors, Physical Environment, Social Environment, Economic Characteristics and Health and Social Care. Two new determinants were identified: Meaningful Leisure and Participation. The determinant Participation is seen as crucial to AA in residential care.


CONCLUSIONS
This study points to a more extensive set of determinants of AA than those identified by the WHO (Active Ageing: a policy framework. World Health Organisation, Geneva 5). Staff of long-term care facilities can make use of these determinants to promote AA in their residents.
Frailty in Ageing Research Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium. lien.van.malderen@vub.ac.be
Lien
L
Van Malderen
Tony
T
Mets
Patricia
P
De Vriendt
Ellen
E
Gorus
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008134:Long-Term Care; D009735:Nursing Homes; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D012107:Research Design; D012112:Residential Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014944:World Health Organization