IAG: Adelaide Declaration on Ageing

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Adelaide Declaration on Ageing

At the 16th IAG World Congress of Gerontology, which took place in August 1997, in Adelaide, Australia, the participants endorsed the following message to world leaders concerning population and individual aging.

A Message for World Leaders
We, participants in the 1997 World Congress of Gerontology, met in Adelaide, Australia, as a community of practitioners, scholars, public officials and citizens of 60 nations from throughout the world. We reported current research results on ageing and information on advances in gerontological education, policy, planning and practice.

The findings reported at this Congress led us to a profound concern for the future prospects for quality of life of older people everywhere.
The phenomenal, unprecedented rate and scale of population ageing world wide, especially in the developing world, is widely appreciated. This greater understanding of the issue of global ageing needs to be accompanied by a more effective plan of action by governments throughout the world.
To more effectively address the challenges posed by this massive global demographic change we call for a fundamental shift from the traditional narrow perception of individual and population ageing. In almost all policy statements, writings, and research findings 'the old', however defined, are distinguished from the 'non-old'. Such arbitrary categorisation overlooks the universality of ageing and the continuous evolution of the experience of ageing in a rapidly changing world. While the main focus in gerontology has been on the later stages of human life we stress the importance of lifelong individual development to achieve successful ageing.
In the future more attention also should be paid to intergenerational issues, human rights, cultural variation, gender differences, and the rich diversity of older people in all respects. It is also important to address the relationship between population ageing and societal development.
During the Adelaide Congress, major problems, threats and challenges to the well-being of ageing populations were identified. These problems and challenges, if not addressed effectively, could undermine the possibility for current and future generations to live out their natural lives in security and dignity. Some major threats, such as war and environmental catastrophes, affect whole populations, but even here it is those at the extremes of life who are most vulnerable and likely to suffer most.
Critical issues that have a pronounced impact on ageing persons include risks associated with poverty, malnutrition, disease, marginalisation, abuse and neglect. The removal or at least significant lessening of these barriers is fundamental to the attainment of an optimal quality of life for ageing populations.
We have identified key issues and actions that should be supported and pursued by governments to improve quality of life and well being for people as they age. From a gerontological perspective, we list what we consider to be the most important of these below and urge that action be taken now at global, regional, national and local levels to respond positively to these challenges.
Research
Advancement of knowledge of ageing through biological, behavioural, social, technological and clinical research is central and critical to the improvement and maintenance of quality of life in later years. Research into major burdens of ageing, such as Alzheimer's Disease, is already yielding strategies to lessen the burden of morbidity and disability associated with ageing. Other specific effective preventive and therapeutic measures are within our grasp.

Basic, applied and strategic research related to ageing should be actively encouraged. A greater proportional allocation of funds for research in ageing related fields is urgently required.

All governments should ensure that there are effective systems for monitoring national demographic and epidemiological trends to take account of changing age structures and consequent social, health and economic implications.

Results of monitoring and research should be more clearly and effectively analysed and presented to better inform policy and decision makers.

Cross-disciplinary research consistent with the multidimensional aspects of ageing should be actively supported and encouraged by funding bodies.

All educators and practitioners working in ageing should be trained to have an understanding of research methodologies and be skilled in critical assessment and application of research findings.

Education
Education is fundamental to the improvement of quality of life and well-being of all. Life long learning and education about aging should be an integral part of formal education curricula at every level.

The general public of all ages should be educated to dispel prevalent negative beliefs, myths and stereotypes of ageing.

The media can be a powerful tool to improve information, knowledge and perceptions of ageing in the community and should be more effectively employed for this purpose.

Ageing persons should themselves be empowered to ensure their capacity for self-help and independence and enable them to make informed choices about all aspects of life.

The role of older persons as educators in the community should be taken into account and a respect for wisdom and experience restored.

Appropriate education and training should be ensured for both formal and informal caregivers to deal effectively and positively with issues associated with ageing. At all levels, and across disciplines, formal education should incorporate an appreciation of similarities and differences among people of different ages.

Policies and Practice
Governments have an obligation to establish a sound policy framework for the development of services for an ageing population that meet basic principles and obligations for all human services.

Policies and programs on ageing should have a sound scientific and ethical basis.

Evidence-based practice should be promoted as it identifies relationships between interventions and outcomes. This supports more effective and responsible use of limited resources.

All practice should include elements of research to develop the evidence-base for interventions and to provide the framework for continuous quality improvement.

Interdisciplinary practice recognises the importance of the whole range of influences upon older individuals including psychological, social, cultural, economic and environmental. It is important to take account of all of these in assessment and care.

Services should encourage and support older persons in maintaining an active and participatory life-style and encourage them to take the lead in pursuing the improvement and maintenance of their own health and well-being.

There is a need to recognise the integral role of the family and other forms of informal social support of older persons.

Maintenance of the individual in their chosen environment must be the primary objective of care programs for older persons.

We voice the need for immediate action through research, policy, education, training and practice. The 1999 Year of Older Persons with its theme 'Towards a Society for all Ages' provides an excellent vehicle for concerted action at the global level. Governments, international agencies and organisations representing older persons should work in partnership with gerontologists worldwide to ensure success in establishing and attaining positive goals for 1999 and beyond.
It is crucial that the evidence before us now be effectively used and interpreted to support policy and decision makers in implementing practices that provide measurable benefits in ensuring an optimal quality of life for older persons now and in the future.
Finally, we strongly emphasise the importance of research at all levels to support the further development of sound policies, education, training and practice. We believe that future directions in all fields related to ageing should be informed by the best research available. Investment now in a sound and considered research agenda will benefit not only older people of the immediate future but many generations to come. We therefore call on the International Association of Gerontology in partnership with the UN programme on ageing and other concerned parties to actively collaborate in the development, pursuit and realisation of such an agenda for the twenty-first-century.

At the 16th IAG World Congress of Gerontology, which took place in August 1997, in Adelaide, Australia, the participants endorsed the following message to world leaders concerning population and individual aging.

A Message for World Leaders
We, participants in the 1997 World Congress of Gerontology, met in Adelaide, Australia, as a community of practitioners, scholars, public officials and citizens of 60 nations from throughout the world. We reported current research results on ageing and information on advances in gerontological education, policy, planning and practice.

The findings reported at this Congress led us to a profound concern for the future prospects for quality of life of older people everywhere.

The phenomenal, unprecedented rate and scale of population ageing world wide, especially in the developing world, is widely appreciated. This greater understanding of the issue of global ageing needs to be accompanied by a more effective plan of action by governments throughout the world.

To more effectively address the challenges posed by this massive global demographic change we call for a fundamental shift from the traditional narrow perception of individual and population ageing. In almost all policy statements, writings, and research findings 'the old', however defined, are distinguished from the 'non-old'. Such arbitrary categorisation overlooks the universality of ageing and the continuous evolution of the experience of ageing in a rapidly changing world. While the main focus in gerontology has been on the later stages of human life we stress the importance of lifelong individual development to achieve successful ageing.

In the future more attention also should be paid to intergenerational issues, human rights, cultural variation, gender differences, and the rich diversity of older people in all respects. It is also important to address the relationship between population ageing and societal development.

During the Adelaide Congress, major problems, threats and challenges to the well-being of ageing populations were identified. These problems and challenges, if not addressed effectively, could undermine the possibility for current and future generations to live out their natural lives in security and dignity. Some major threats, such as war and environmental catastrophes, affect whole populations, but even here it is those at the extremes of life who are most vulnerable and likely to suffer most.

Critical issues that have a pronounced impact on ageing persons include risks associated with poverty, malnutrition, disease, marginalisation, abuse and neglect. The removal or at least significant lessening of these barriers is fundamental to the attainment of an optimal quality of life for ageing populations.

We have identified key issues and actions that should be supported and pursued by governments to improve quality of life and well being for people as they age. From a gerontological perspective, we list what we consider to be the most important of these below and urge that action be taken now at global, regional, national and local levels to respond positively to these challenges.

Research
Advancement of knowledge of ageing through biological, behavioural, social, technological and clinical research is central and critical to the improvement and maintenance of quality of life in later years. Research into major burdens of ageing, such as Alzheimer's Disease, is already yielding strategies to lessen the burden of morbidity and disability associated with ageing. Other specific effective preventive and therapeutic measures are within our grasp.

Basic, applied and strategic research related to ageing should be actively encouraged. A greater proportional allocation of funds for research in ageing related fields is urgently required.
All governments should ensure that there are effective systems for monitoring national demographic and epidemiological trends to take account of changing age structures and consequent social, health and economic implications.
Results of monitoring and research should be more clearly and effectively analysed and presented to better inform policy and decision makers.
Cross-disciplinary research consistent with the multidimensional aspects of ageing should be actively supported and encouraged by funding bodies.
All educators and practitioners working in ageing should be trained to have an understanding of research methodologies and be skilled in critical assessment and application of research findings.

Education
Education is fundamental to the improvement of quality of life and well-being of all. Life long learning and education about aging should be an integral part of formal education curricula at every level.

The general public of all ages should be educated to dispel prevalent negative beliefs, myths and stereotypes of ageing.
The media can be a powerful tool to improve information, knowledge and perceptions of ageing in the community and should be more effectively employed for this purpose.
Ageing persons should themselves be empowered to ensure their capacity for self-help and independence and enable them to make informed choices about all aspects of life.
The role of older persons as educators in the community should be taken into account and a respect for wisdom and experience restored.
Appropriate education and training should be ensured for both formal and informal caregivers to deal effectively and positively with issues associated with ageing. At all levels, and across disciplines, formal education should incorporate an appreciation of similarities and differences among people of different ages.

Policies and Practice
Governments have an obligation to establish a sound policy framework for the development of services for an ageing population that meet basic principles and obligations for all human services.

Policies and programs on ageing should have a sound scientific and ethical basis.
Evidence-based practice should be promoted as it identifies relationships between interventions and outcomes. This supports more effective and responsible use of limited resources.
All practice should include elements of research to develop the evidence-base for interventions and to provide the framework for continuous quality improvement.
Interdisciplinary practice recognises the importance of the whole range of influences upon older individuals including psychological, social, cultural, economic and environmental. It is important to take account of all of these in assessment and care.
Services should encourage and support older persons in maintaining an active and participatory life-style and encourage them to take the lead in pursuing the improvement and maintenance of their own health and well-being.
There is a need to recognise the integral role of the family and other forms of informal social support of older persons.
Maintenance of the individual in their chosen environment must be the primary objective of care programs for older persons.

We voice the need for immediate action through research, policy, education, training and practice. The 1999 Year of Older Persons with its theme 'Towards a Society for all Ages' provides an excellent vehicle for concerted action at the global level. Governments, international agencies and organisations representing older persons should work in partnership with gerontologists worldwide to ensure success in establishing and attaining positive goals for 1999 and beyond.

It is crucial that the evidence before us now be effectively used and interpreted to support policy and decision makers in implementing practices that provide measurable benefits in ensuring an optimal quality of life for older persons now and in the future.

Finally, we strongly emphasise the importance of research at all levels to support the further development of sound policies, education, training and practice. We believe that future directions in all fields related to ageing should be informed by the best research available. Investment now in a sound and considered research agenda will benefit not only older people of the immediate future but many generations to come. We therefore call on the International Association of Gerontology in partnership with the UN programme on ageing and other concerned parties to actively collaborate in the development, pursuit and realisation of such an agenda for the twenty-first-century.