Building Community Partnerships to Support Aging Societies

Abstract

The 21st century finds most societies facing the challenges of aging. The number of persons over 60 years old is accelerating and is anticipated to reach nearly two billion worldwide by 2050, the majority living in developing countries. While it is largely myth that older adults pose economic burdens, risks for chronic illness and disability increase with advancing age. The World Health Organization’s International Plan of Action on Ageing: Report on implementation (2004) highlights the importance of geriatric education for healthcare workers and “continuum of care” in primary healthcare” (p.2). Occupational therapists worldwide provide services to families and will increasingly provide services to elders. Twenty-first century demographic challenges require collaborative efforts to support active aging and maximize the quality of life of all elders. Occupational therapy communities of practice and interdisciplinary partnerships offer opportunities to share our expertise to promote policies and interventions that optimize occupational engagement, participation, and health to strengthen families and communities for all ages.

This article is based upon Building Community Partnerships to Support Aging Societies, a workshop presented at the 14th Congress of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists in Sydney, Australia in 2006.

Keywords:

• aging
• challenges of aging
• occupational therapy communities of practice
• intergenerational societies