J. Ageing Longev., Volume 5, Issue 3 (September 2025) – 6 articles

Blue Zones (BZs) are regions across the world associated with exceptional human longevity, where individuals routinely live into their 90s and beyond. These areas share distinct lifestyle and environmental factors that promote healthy aging. The established BZs include Sardinia, Okinawa, Ikaria, and Nicoya, while several “emerging” BZs have been reported in various parts of the globe. This study investigates an area in Sicily for similar longevity patterns. Demographic data from the Italy National Institute of Statistics and local civil registries identify the municipality of Caltabellotta, home to approximately 3000 residents, and the nearby Sicani Mountains as a potential emerging BZ. The area exhibits a significantly higher prevalence of nonagenarians and centenarians compared to national and regional averages. Between 1900 and 1924, the proportion of newborns in Caltabellotta who reached age 90 and above rose from 3.6% to 14%, with 1 out of 166 individuals during this period reaching the age of 100. Historical, dietary, environmental, and sociocultural characteristics align with known BZ traits, including adherence to the Mediterranean diet, physical activity through agrarian routines, strong social cohesion, and minimal environmental pollution. A comparative analysis with the validated Sardinia BZ supports the hypothesis that this Sicilian area may represent an emerging longevity hotspot. Further multidisciplinary investigation is warranted to substantiate these findings. Full article

As global populations age, there is increasing demand for effective, person-centered healthcare solutions that support older adults to age in place. Home healthcare has emerged as a crucial strategy to address the complex health and social needs of older adults while reducing reliance on institutional care. This umbrella review aimed to synthesize evidence from existing systematic reviews and meta-analyses on home healthcare services and interventions targeting older adults. A comprehensive search was conducted across five databases and gray literature sources, including Google Scholar, for reviews published between 2000 and 2025. The review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and PRISMA statement. Twenty reviews met the inclusion criteria, encompassing a total of over 3.1 million participants. Interventions were grouped into four categories: integrated and multidisciplinary care, preventive and supportive home visits, technological and digital interventions, and physical, transitional, and environmental support. Results indicated that many interventions led to improved health outcomes, including enhanced functional ability, reduced hospital readmissions, and increased satisfaction. However, effectiveness varies depending on the intervention type, delivery model, and population. Challenges such as caregiver burden, digital exclusion, and implementation in diverse settings were noted. This review highlights the promise of home healthcare interventions and underscores the need for context-sensitive, equitable, and scalable models to support aging populations. Full article

Aged-care services are in crisis through a combination of rising demand and increasing costs. Quality of care is often reported to be insufficient. Medical science has increased lifespans but the overmedicalisation of aged care may affect the financial sustainability and quality of care. Person-centred care was developed as a solution and is generally interpreted as being concerned with consumer choice. This study presents a human rights-based approach to a code of conduct for aged-care consumers and workers to ensure autonomy and participation in aged-care communities, which are fundamental to person-centred care. A test–retest cohort study was used to investigate the impact of a training module about a human rights-based code of conduct on the perspectives of new aged-care workers (n = 11) on a case scenario involving conflicting care priorities. Qualitative content analysis was used to categorise and count the participants’ responses. The analysis found that prior to training the majority of participants were focused on a medical and risk reduction model of care. After the training participants had a more expansive understanding of care needs and recognised the importance of client empowerment to enable clients to participate in decisions affecting their care. The results support the implementation of a human rights-based approach to worker training and client care; such an approach is consistent with person-centred care. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic has illuminated and intensified pre-existing structural vulnerabilities among older adults living with HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Nigeria. Within already overstretched healthcare infrastructures, these individuals faced heightened economic precarity, disrupted HIV care, and pronounced psychosocial distress. Exploring their lived experiences critically advances an understanding of resilience and informs contextually responsive interventions that can mitigate future health crises. This study employed a narrative qualitative approach to explore the lived experiences of older adults (aged 50 and above) attending the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) clinic in Ibadan, Nigeria, during the pandemic lockdown. Purposive sampling guided by maximum variation principles enabled the selection of 26 participants who provided detailed accounts through in-depth interviews. Reflective thematic analysis identified complex narratives illustrating intensified financial hardships, disrupted access to antiretroviral therapy (ART), and heightened psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, and profound isolation. Conversely, participants also articulated experiences of resilience, manifesting in improved medication adherence, strengthened family bonds, and introspective growth fostered by enforced isolation. These nuanced findings highlights the necessity of developing an adaptive, integrated healthcare interventions that addresses economic vulnerabilities, psychosocial wellbeing, and ART continuity, thereby better preparing resource-constrained health systems to support older adults with HIV/AIDS in future public health crises. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges, particularly for older adults. They were identified as a high-risk group. While research has primarily focused on health measures, less is known about their adaptation processes during this period in the UK and Colombia. This study explores “how older adults in the UK and Colombia adapted during the health crisis after one year”. We conducted interviews with 29 participants in the UK and 32 participants in Colombia, aged 63–95, about their experiences one year after the pandemic. We analysed their anonymised transcripts using constructivist grounded theory. The pandemic highlighted older adults’ ability to learn new skills in the face of adversities. Some found new goals; others found pleasure in optimising existing skills and tasks. Some compensated for the lack of social connectivity by intensifying hobbies. We identified three broad ways older adults adapted. Cognitive adaptation included acceptance, positive reframing, and religious trust. Emotional regulation was experienced not only through deep freeze, weather impact, social support, religion, pet companionship but also emotional struggles. Finally behavioural adaptation was enacted through routine modification, use of virtual technologies, intertwined cognitive–emotional–behavioural adaptation, and previous experiences. However, adaptation varied, with some individuals struggling to adapt, highlighting that while adaptation is possible for some, it is not universal among all older adults. Full article

Background: Decision-making under risk is a crucial process for undertaking health behaviors. Although the influence of individual differences on decision-making under risk has been widely examined, there is no clear consensus yet as to how to explain this process considering both young and older adults. The main aim of this preliminary study was to examine age differences in decision-making under risk, risk propensity, sensation-seeking, and self-conscious emotions between younger and older adults. Methods: A total of 40 subjects (20 young adults and 20 older adults) participated in the present study. The young adults were aged 18–35 years (M = 23.25, SD = 2.59). The older adults were aged 65–70 years (M = 68.50, SD = 4.01). Participants completed the Risk Propensity Scale, the Sensation-Seeking Scale, the Test of Self-Conscious Affect, and the Prisoner’s Dilemma Game. Results: The results indicated that the groups showed different behaviors in sensation-seeking (p < 0.001, pη2 = 0.14). The older group showed a larger propensity to seek recreational activities and unconventional behaviors than the younger group (p < 0.0001, d = 0.78; p = 0.001, d = 0.75). Also, the older adults demonstrated a greater inclination toward pride (p < 0.01, d = 0.78), whereas younger adults exhibited a stronger tendency towards shame (p < 0.01, d = 0.76). Conclusions: These data suggest a shift in risk preferences as individuals age, potentially influenced by a variety of psychological, social, and experiential factors. The applications of this study can support psychological well-being, productivity, and quality of life in later adulthood. Full article