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ABSTRACT
There has been a growing focus on healthy aging in the political agenda. Discourses contained within policy documents have the potential to shape our notions of healthy aging and well-being. This comprehensive critical document analysis of provincial aging policies in Newfoundland and Labrador (2006–2015) contributes to a larger research study exploring aging women’s notions of health and the body in relation to the aging process. The findings highlight how healthy aging discourses focus on the concept of productivity and how a certain type of health is required for ongoing contribution. The paper concludes by arguing that if healthy aging is framed around one’s ability to remain productive, notions of health will remain limited to an externalized measure of output versus subjective experience of well-being.
Key points
Policy documents and policies can shape our understandings of health and healthy aging.
In efforts to reduce ageism, policy documents examined had strong focus on valuing and supporting seniors to continue to be contributing citizens.
With a focus on valuing seniors’ contribution to society, healthy aging becomes the foundation for maintaining the ability to contribute.
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Data availability statement
The data that supports the findings of this study were derived from the following resources available in the public domain.https://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2007/health/0711n04HA%20Policy%20Framework.pdf;https://www.health.gov.nl.ca/health/publications/Provincial_Advisory_Council_Aging_and_Seniors_2014-2017_Activity_Plan.pdf;https://www.gov.nl.ca/cssd/files/publications-pdf-healthyliving-seniors-healthy-eating.pdf