EMPOWERMENT IN LATER LIFE: PROMOTING HEALTHY, ACTIVE, AND DIGNIFIED AGEING

Abstract

In this chapter we turn our attention to the multifaceted nature of empowerment in one’s later years. We put forward a strengths-based and active approach to ageing as an alternative to the old deficit model that sees it as nothing more than a slide into decline and dependency. The discussion covers a range of ground. On the physical and psychological front, there is an emphasis on resilience and emotional wellbeing in the face of loss, as well as matters of mobility and access to healthcare. The economic side of things is treated with an eye to financial security; by way of pensions and retirement planning, along with ongoing participation in the economy, the need for family support is lessened. We also look at social and relational factors, from the building of peer networks to the importance of intergenerational ties and putting an end to isolation. Technological empowerment is given its due, particularly how digital literacy and assistive tools can be put to use for independent living. In terms of legal and policy issues, the chapter considers rights-based protections from elder abuse and the government schemes that back them up. Then there is the question of participatory empowerment, whether in the form of a political voice or civic engagement, not to mention the gendered aspects of ageing which tend to have a heavier impact on women. Taken together, these various elements make clear that empowerment is a holistic and interconnected affair, one that is indispensable for a life of dignity and autonomy.