Towards Healthy Aging in Palau
(2023) In The Gerontologist- Abstract
- Background and Objectives
Palau is facing a rapidly aging population and developing a comprehensive national aging policy to address the growing needs of older adults, but more research is needed to understand their circumstances and needs in relation to healthy aging. This study aims to investigate these factors and contribute to developing the National Policy on Care for the Aging.
Research Design and Methods
The study adopted a participatory action research design and included focus groups with older adults, public consultations and stakeholder interviews, providing insights into the needs of an aging population and how to address them. Thematic analysis was conducted to understand the experiences and needs of older... (More) - Background and Objectives
Palau is facing a rapidly aging population and developing a comprehensive national aging policy to address the growing needs of older adults, but more research is needed to understand their circumstances and needs in relation to healthy aging. This study aims to investigate these factors and contribute to developing the National Policy on Care for the Aging.
Research Design and Methods
The study adopted a participatory action research design and included focus groups with older adults, public consultations and stakeholder interviews, providing insights into the needs of an aging population and how to address them. Thematic analysis was conducted to understand the experiences and needs of older adults and possible system changes to address these needs.
Results
This study identified the need to recognize cultural changes and optimize social and physical environments to improve the health and well-being of older adults. Older adults are valued in Palauan society, but harmful stereotypes and mistreatment of older adults exist. To address those needs and challenges, our stakeholders proposed a range of services, programs and policies across sectors to create a healthy-enabling environment. Our findings also highlight the importance of health systems proactively reaching individuals and families to address lifelong health needs.
Discussion and Implications
Our results show the vital role of various sectors in fostering healthy aging and the importance of environmental and cultural perspectives in creating an age-friendly society, which can be an inspiration for other Pacific Island countries. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/770c0b64-fe25-46fe-9416-6d78b5262a97
- author
- Xu, Wenqian
LU
; Holm, Tarita ; Lee, Siwon ; Uherbelau, Gaafar ; Madraisau, Sherilynn and Subediang, Hera
- organization
- publishing date
- 2023-06-23
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- epub
- subject
- in
- The Gerontologist
- publisher
- Oxford University Press
- external identifiers
-
- pmid:37352260
- scopus:85177458896
- ISSN
- 1758-5341
- DOI
- 10.1093/geront/gnad078
- project
- Promoting healthy ageing in the Western Pacific
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 770c0b64-fe25-46fe-9416-6d78b5262a97
- date added to LUP
- 2023-06-24 05:00:07
- date last changed
- 2024-03-04 04:11:12
@article{770c0b64-fe25-46fe-9416-6d78b5262a97, abstract = {{Background and Objectives<br/>Palau is facing a rapidly aging population and developing a comprehensive national aging policy to address the growing needs of older adults, but more research is needed to understand their circumstances and needs in relation to healthy aging. This study aims to investigate these factors and contribute to developing the National Policy on Care for the Aging.<br/><br/>Research Design and Methods<br/>The study adopted a participatory action research design and included focus groups with older adults, public consultations and stakeholder interviews, providing insights into the needs of an aging population and how to address them. Thematic analysis was conducted to understand the experiences and needs of older adults and possible system changes to address these needs.<br/><br/>Results<br/>This study identified the need to recognize cultural changes and optimize social and physical environments to improve the health and well-being of older adults. Older adults are valued in Palauan society, but harmful stereotypes and mistreatment of older adults exist. To address those needs and challenges, our stakeholders proposed a range of services, programs and policies across sectors to create a healthy-enabling environment. Our findings also highlight the importance of health systems proactively reaching individuals and families to address lifelong health needs.<br/><br/>Discussion and Implications<br/>Our results show the vital role of various sectors in fostering healthy aging and the importance of environmental and cultural perspectives in creating an age-friendly society, which can be an inspiration for other Pacific Island countries.}}, author = {{Xu, Wenqian and Holm, Tarita and Lee, Siwon and Uherbelau, Gaafar and Madraisau, Sherilynn and Subediang, Hera}}, issn = {{1758-5341}}, language = {{eng}}, month = {{06}}, publisher = {{Oxford University Press}}, series = {{The Gerontologist}}, title = {{Towards Healthy Aging in Palau}}, url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnad078}}, doi = {{10.1093/geront/gnad078}}, year = {{2023}}, }