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Nyqvist F, Nygård M. Is the association between social capital and health robust across Nordic regions? Evidence from a cross‐sectional study of older adultsThe study examined the association between structural and cognitive social capital and self‐rated health among 65‐ and 75‐year‐olds in Västerbotten in Sweden and Österbotten and Pohjanmaa in Finland. Data were retrieved from a cross‐sectional postal questionnaire survey conducted in 2005 and was answered by 3,370 persons, yielding a total response rate of 69 per cent. The association between self‐rated health and interpersonal trust and membership in organisations was tested by logistic regression analysis. The results showed that older adults in Västerbotten in Sweden experienced better self‐rated health than in Finland. Furthermore, interpersonal trust and active membership in organisations were associated with self‐rated health among 65‐ and 75‐year olds even after having controlled for the influence of region. We therefore conclude that the association between social capital and self‐rated health tends to be robust across contextually similar regions, but that further analyses are warranted in order to clarify the nature of this relationship.Key Practitioner Message: •Health status can be indirectly strengthened through investments in social capital, such as group participation and active networks; •When working with older adults, more focus needs to be put on how to develop trustful relationships; •The Nordic welfare state, with its universal and subsidised social and health care services, has an indirect and positive effect on health among older adults.

This book examines the social aspects of healthy ageing for older individuals. It features more than 15 papers that explore the relevance of the social environment for health on the micro, meso, and macro level. Overall, the book applies a comprehensive contextual approach that includes discussion of how family and friends, neighborhoods, nations, and welfare regimes influence health. The book first explores the issue on the individual level. It looks at the importance of social capital for health among older people, examines types of social networks and health among older Americans, as well as discusses dynamic social capital and mental health in late life. Next, the book looks at the issue through a neighborhood and societal context, which takes into account day-to-day interaction in the immediate environment as well as the social, health, and economic policies in place in different regions in the world, including America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. From there, the book goes on to offer implications and recommendations for research and practice, including the management of related concepts of research on well-being and health. It also offers a psychosocial approach to promoting social capital and mental health among older adults. This book provides health professionals as well as researchers and students in gerontology, sociology, social policy, psychology, and social work with vital insights into the social factors that increase healthy life years and promote well-being

This book examines the social aspects of healthy ageing for older individuals. It features more than 15 papers that explore the relevance of the social environment for health on the micro, meso, and macro level. Overall, the book applies a comprehensive contextual approach that includes discussion of how family and friends, neighborhoods, nations, and welfare regimes influence health. The book first explores the issue on the individual level. It looks at the importance of social capital for health among older people, examines types of social networks and health among older Americans, as well as discusses dynamic social capital and mental health in late life. Next, the book looks at the issue through a neighborhood and societal context, which takes into account day-to-day interaction in the immediate environment as well as the social, health, and economic policies in place in different regions in the world, including America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. From there, the book goes on to offer implications and recommendations for research and practice, including the management of related concepts of research on well-being and health. It also offers a psychosocial approach to promoting social capital and mental health among older adults. This book provides health professionals as well as researchers and students in gerontology, sociology, social policy, psychology, and social work with vital insights into the social factors that increase healthy life years and promote well-being.

The study examined changes in active ageing among 65/66- and 75/76-year-olds in northern Sweden and western Finland. Data were retrieved from a repeated cross-sectional survey conducted in 2005 and 2016. Logistic regression was used to estimate the probability of ageing actively in terms of employment, social and political participation, confidence in healthcare, economic situation, self-rated health and social contacts. The results showed no significant changes in employment, social participation or economic situation. However, the level of political participation and self-rated good health was significantly higher in 2016 compared with 2005, whereas confidence in healthcare and social contacts was lower. Considering that the implementation of active ageing policies relies heavily on municipal and/or regional level in our study region, our results could be used as a framework for regional policymaking.

AbstractThe study examined changes in active ageing among 65/66‐ and 75/76‐year‐olds in northern Sweden and western Finland. Data were retrieved from a repeated cross‐sectional survey conducted in 2005 and 2016. Logistic regression was used to estimate the probability of ageing actively in terms of employment, social and political participation, confidence in healthcare, economic situation, self‐rated health and social contacts. The results showed no significant changes in employment, social participation or economic situation. However, the level of political participation and self‐rated good health was significantly higher in 2016 compared with 2005, whereas confidence in healthcare and social contacts was lower. Considering that the implementation of active ageing policies relies heavily on municipal and/or regional level in our study region, our results could be used as a framework for regional policymaking.

Meaningfulness is a fundamental aspect in the promotion of frail older adults' health and well-being. From a salutogenic point of view, meaningfulness is a vital component of a sense of coherence (SOC), since having a strong SOC aids toward assembling the resources needed to cope with stressors and manage tensions with success. In order to respond to the challenges of population aging and the need to enable frail older adults to live at home for as long as possible, it is important to explore their meaningfulness in the context of home-based care. A salutogenic framework was used to study meaningfulness. The aim was to explore what promotes meaningfulness among frail older adults. The study uses a hermeneutical approach and has a qualitative design. In total, 17 frail older adults were interviewed. The data were analyzed by content analysis. The results uncovered four themes that the respondents considered important in enhancing meaningfulness in daily life: home care personnel, outdoor activities and green spaces, cultural activities and spirituality. Our study revealed the important role of home care personnel as a resource in promoting meaningfulness in the context of home-based care. Hence, this group should be given sufficient resources, knowledge and competence for enabling meaningfulness and thus a SOC amongst frail older adults.

The Active Ageing Index (AAI) can be applied across countries to compare active aging outcomes, evaluate the current situation regarding ageing, and identify the most desired directions for policy action. While the AAI-EU is addressed on a national level, it can also be used for assessing active ageing policies on the municipal level, which is the case in this study. The aim of this article was to assess active ageing amongst older people in western parts of Finland by adapting the methodology used for the AAI-EU. We used GERDA data (n=5,011) collected from people aged 66, 71, 76, 81 and 86 for our descriptive analyses. The results showed that the municipalities differed in their active ageing outcomes, and that men and Swedish speakers generally scored higher on the index, which is something that warrants further investigation. Based on the results, we argue that AAI could potentially be used as a tool to monitor various dimensions of active ageing on a regional level and that gender and ethno-linguistic characteristics should be a central concern for a discussion on ageing in our study region.

The Active Ageing Index (AAI) can be applied across countries to compare active aging outcomes, evaluate the current situation regarding ageing, and identify the most desired directions for policy action. While the AAI-EU is addressed on a national level, it can also be used for assessing active ageing policies on the municipal level, which is the case in this study. The aim of this article was to assess active ageing amongst older people in western parts of Finland by adapting the methodology used for the AAI-EU. We used GERDA data (n=5,011) collected from people aged 66, 71, 76, 81 and 86 for our descriptive analyses. The results showed that the municipalities differed in their active ageing outcomes, and that men and Swedish speakers generally scored higher on the index, which is something that warrants further investigation. Based on the results, we argue that AAI could potentially be used as a tool to monitor various dimensions of active ageing on a regional level and that gender and ethno-linguistic characteristics should be a central concern for a discussion on ageing in our study region. ; Aktiivisen ikääntymisen indeksiä (AAI) voidaan soveltaa kaikissa maissa aktiivisen ikääntymisen tulosten vertailemiseksi, ikääntymisen nykytilan arvioimiseksi sekä politiikkatoimien tavoitteiden tunnistamiseksi. Vaikka AAI-EU on suunnattu kansalliselle tasolle, sitä voidaan käyttää myös aktiivisen ikääntymisen politiikan tarkasteluun kuntatasolla, kuten tässä tutkimuksessa. Tämän artikkelin tarkoituksena oli arvioida aktiivista ikääntymistä Länsi-Suomessa AAI-EU:n avulla. Kuvailevassa analyysissä käytimme 66-, 71-, 76-, 81- ja 86-vuotiailta kerättyä GERDA-aineistoa (n = 5011). Tutkimuksemme osoitti, että aktiivisen ikääntymisen tulokset eroavat kuntatasolla ja että miehet ja ruotsinkieliset sijoittuivat indeksissä yleisesti korkeammalle, mikä kaipaa lisätutkimusta. Tulosten perusteella voidaan todeta, että AAI on soveltuva työkalu aktiivisen ikääntymisen seurannassa alueellisella tasolla ja että sukupuolen sekä kieliryhmien ominaispiirteet tulisi huomioida ikäntymistä koskevassa keskustelussa tutkimusalueellamme. ; Ett index för det aktiva åldrandet (AAI) används för att jämföra hur olika länder hanterar en åldrande befolkning och lyfter fram var behoven för olika policyinsatser är som störst. Emedan AAI-EU används för att jämföra situationen i europeiska länder, så kan indexet även användas för att jämföra kommuner, vilket är något som vi gjorde i den här studien. Syftet med studien var således att undersöka det aktiva åldrandet bland äldre i västra Finland genom att använda metodologin som använts för AAI-EU. Vi använde GERDA-data (n=5011) insamlat bland 66-, 71-, 76-, 81-, och 86-åringar för våra deskriptiva analyser. Resultaten visade att det fanns skillnader i det aktiva åldrandet mellan kommunerna. Resultaten visade även att fanns skillnader mellan svensk- och finskspråkiga så att svenskspråkiga placerade sig högre på indexet. Baserat på resultaten från studien så konkluderar vi att ett regionalt AAI kunde användas för att följa upp det aktiva åldrandet på kommunnivå och att skillnader mellan män och kvinnor samt skillnader mellan etnolingvistiska grupper borde lyftas fram i diskussioner om det aktiva åldrandet i vår region.

Purpose
As a member of the Nordic welfare regime, Finland has been acknowledged for its encompassing family policies with high degrees of parental employment and low incidence of poverty. During recent years, however, sluggish growth, high levels of unemployment and recurrent austerity measures have gradually undermined the economic security of families, notably among single-parent and multi-child families, and this has put families under increasing strain and increased the risks of poverty, inequality and other forms of ill-being. The paper aims to discuss these issues.


Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, the authors investigate risks and coping strategies and well-being of Finnish families with children. Family well-being is defined as an umbrella concept covering economic, social or psychological well-being and physical health. The data consist of 22 qualitative semi-structured interviews with parents from the region of Ostrobothnia in Finland and were collected in the winter of 2016–2017.


Findings
Based on the findings, the authors argue that the risks the families in Finland confront are linked to lower well-being, most notably for families encountering sickness, unemployment or divorce. The findings also show that parents have to employ various coping strategies themselves and that the society's support is insufficient.


Originality/value
This paper, thus, contributes to the literature on the effects of austerity policies on families by focussing on the consequences on family well-being, but also on the risks that families face and the coping mechanisms they use for handling with these risks.

In recent years, the aim of research on aging has shifted from prolonging life to fostering healthy and cognitively robust old age. In order to improve the quality of life of older people, we need to better understand cognitive aging as well as bodily aging. Health and Cognition in Old Age assembles the cream of research across varied medical, mental health, and social disciplines, and demonstrates how this knowledge can lead to improved outcomes for older people. The first half of this expert volume discusses biomedical and life course factors in aging, particularly as they affect cognition and well-being in later life. From there, effective solutions are the focus: interventions and care programs to improve mental functioning and general quality of life, and current policy and practice ideas in promoting healthy, active, and cognitively robust aging. Together, these diverse chapters offer a multi-faceted approach to understanding and modifying what was formerly the inevitable course of growing old. A sampling of the coverage: How the aging process affects the immune system. Occupational gerontology - work-related determinants of old age health and functioning. Social, behavioral, and contextual influences on cognitive function and decline. Lifestyle factors in the prevention of dementia. Understanding long-term care outcomes: conventional and behavioral economics. Social capital, mental well-being, and loneliness in older people. For gerontologists, sociologists, social workers, health psychologists, and others working to improve older people's lives, Health and Cognition in Old Age brings expertise, versatility, and confidence to the table

As public provision of health and social care to older adults remains fixed or is scaled back, informal care is increasingly emphasised in policy and in practice. This is also the case in the Nordic welfare state of Finland. Little is known about how individual care arrangements are made. In this study, the capability approach is used to investigate the processes from resources to the actual functionings of receiving care of one older informal care recipient across time. The results reveal difficulties, discontinuity and unpredictability that challenge the capabilities to achieve valued beings and doings.

This article contributes to the literature on political gerontology by analysing the role that social capital plays in the political participation of older adults. More specifically, the aim is to test the importance of individual-level and contextual-level social capital for different types of political participation of older adults in a Scandinavian setting by using survey data from Finland and Sweden (N= 6838). The results show that even though membership in voluntary associations, intense social networks and high levels of interpersonal trust tend to be positively correlated with political participation of older adults as a whole, the explanative logic differs between them depending on the kind of political engagement. The only type of social capital with a robust positive impact on all dimensions of political participation was individual-level membership in voluntary associations.

Förtroende för andra människor och samhälleliga institutioner är centralt för den sociala sammanhållningen. Tidigare forskning indikerar att förtroendenivåerna i Finland har sjunkit under de senaste decennierna. Detta har dock inte undersökts specifikt bland den äldre befolkningen, och i synnerhet inte för de äldre i landskapet Österbotten. Syftet med denna studie är att analysera förändringar i politiskt, institutionellt och socialt förtroende från år 2005 till 2016 bland svensk- och finskspråkiga äldre personer i Österbotten. I studien analyseras data från enkätstudien Gerontologisk Regional Databas (GERDA) utförd i Österbotten. Urvalet inkluderade 65- och 75-åringar och bestod av 1545 individer år 2005 och 1742 individer år 2016. Logistisk regression användes för att estimera sannolikheten för att ha högt förtroende enligt studieår och språkgruppstillhörighet i vartdera förtroendemått samtidigt som olika sociodemografiska faktorer inkluderades som kontrollvariabler. Nivån av politiskt och institutionellt förtroende var statistiskt signifikant lägre år 2016 jämfört med 2005 medan ingen signifikant förändring hittades gällande det sociala förtroendet. Resultaten visade också att förändringarna i förtroendemåtten varierade mellan språkgrupperna. De lägre nivåerna av förtroende som hittades i denna studie är ett potentiellt hot mot det sociala kapitalet som i sin tur är en viktig möjliggörare för ett aktivt åldrande och borde därför uppmärksammas och undersökas vidare.