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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Health, Well-Being and Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2024) | Viewed by 25964

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Mike Murphy

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Guest Editor

School of Applied Psychology, University College Cork, T12 K8AF Cork, Ireland
Interests: ageism and elder abuse; sexuality in older age; the right to die; wellbeing across the lifespan; social support across the lifespan; coaching psychology

Dr. Carmen Moret-Tatay

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Guest Editor

Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Católica de Valencia, San Vicente Mártir, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
Interests: the impact of digitalization on cognition; the ageing process; the use of Natural Language Processing (NLP) analysis in a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are, as we know, living in a rapidly aging world. Life expectancy has increased remarkably in a short time, and the process is ongoing—most particularly in developing countries. Simultaneously, birth rates are falling in most areas of the world.

While the increase in longevity is to be celebrated, the demographic shifts we see naturally raise challenges. How can we promote healthy aging? How can we improve physical, psychological, cognitive and social wellbeing in older age? How can we adapt the world of work, and the nature of retirement, to meet the circumstances of the new reality?

And these changes are occurring in a particular context—climate change, increased awareness of pandemic risk, increased geopolitical and economic instability.

The UN has issued a collection of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which seek to address many of the issues faced by society today. A worthy initiative, and one which is noteworthy in part by the relative sparseness of reference to older people. While many are clearly relevant to the older population, specific reference—unlike with many other groups—is almost absent.

The aim of the current Special Issue is to examine how the SDGs might relate to the roles and the wellbeing of older people specifically. At such a conjuncture, it seems crucial for those of us working in the field to focus attention on these goals and on this question.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to)

health;
wellbeing;
the environment;
social roles;
work roles;
retirement.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Mike Murphy
Dr. Carmen Moret-Tatay
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

ageing
older adults
wellbeing
cognition
healthy ageing
retirement
social support
demographic change
sustainability

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Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

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27 pages, 25422 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Elevator Selection Methodology for Existing Residential Buildings Oriented Toward Living Quality Improvement

by Dongxiao Chen, Chunqing Li, Rulong Gong and Enlin Jin

Sustainability 2025, 17(7), 3225; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17073225 - 4 Apr 2025

Viewed by 305

Abstract

With the intensification of aging populations and economic development, installing elevators in existing residential buildings has become crucial for achieving SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). While elevator retrofits improve accessibility, they may also compromise living quality through obstructed ventilation, reduced daylighting, visual interference, and noise pollution. Despite provincial guidelines in China specifying elevator types for retrofitting, the lack of clear selection criteria complicates implementation. This study addresses the challenge of scientifically selecting elevator types that balance accessibility improvements with minimal impact on residential environments. Focusing on 50 operational elevator retrofits in eight Beijing communities employing eight half-landing elevator models from the Beijing Multi-story Residential Elevator Retrofit Guidelines, we establish a comprehensive evaluation framework integrating objective measurements (indoor ventilation, noise, daylighting, and external visibility) and subjective resident assessments. Taking Xicheng District’s Yutaoyuan Community as a case study, this research identifies the optimal elevator configuration through a multi-criteria analysis. The proposed methodology offers two key contributions: (1) a practical elevator selection system providing technical and theoretical support for nationwide retrofitting projects, and (2) a quantifiable assessment tool aligning with the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda for urban renewal objectives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Aging and Sustainable Development Goals)

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15 pages, 515 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Individual Factors Influencing the Use of Home- and Community-Based Care Services by Disabled Elderly Individuals in Urban Areas: Evidence from Beijing, China

by Xiuwen Gao and Yong Tang

Sustainability 2025, 17(2), 676; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17020676 - 16 Jan 2025

Viewed by 834

Abstract

China’s rapidly aging population necessitates a sustainable social care system. Although the majority of Chinese disabled older adults live in their communities, the utilization rate of home- and community-based care (HCBC) services has been low. Moreover, family members still take the main responsibility for the care of disabled older persons and generally suffer from the stress of caregiving. To increase the use of HCBC services by disabled elderly families, this study examined which individual characteristics of both elderly individuals and their primary family caregivers were related to HCBC service use among disabled urban elderly individuals in a regional sample from the 2018 to 2019 Beijing Precise Assistance Need Survey (n = 34,153). Logistic regression was used as the baseline model, and a simultaneous equation model was established to address the jointly dependent variables. The results show that the degree of disability of disabled older adults has no significant effect on their service use, whereas their worse health status played a significant role in predicting respite care service use. Working status, a longer period of caregiving, and poor health of caregivers all significantly predict a greater likelihood of service use by elderly individuals. Caregivers with burdened feelings predicted a decrease in the likelihood of elderly individuals using services. Our findings show that primary family caregivers have an important influence on disabled elderly people’s use of HCBC services, but service use is more likely to compensate for the lack of care and expertise provided by family caregivers than to reduce caregivers’ caregiving burden. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Aging and Sustainable Development Goals)

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21 pages, 2031 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multivariate Analysis of the Sustainable Development of the Silver Economy in the European Union Countries

by Beata Bieszk-Stolorz, Krzysztof Dmytrów and Ewa Frąckiewicz

Sustainability 2024, 16(23), 10703; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162310703 - 6 Dec 2024

Viewed by 1716

Abstract

The ageing of societies is one of the biggest challenges of the modern world. The response to this new reality is the development of the silver economy. It is a multidimensional concept that is an extremely important factor in sustainable development. The aim of this article is to compare EU countries according to selected aspects of the development of the silver economy. This study covered the years 2009–2021. It was conducted on the basis of data from the Eurostat database. This study used multivariate statistical analysis methods: k-means, COmplex PRoportional ASsessment (COPRAS) in a dynamic approach, Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) and hierarchical clustering. EU countries differ in terms of the studied aspects of the silver economy in a north–south direction. In the period under study, there were significant changes in the country rankings and these changes were not the same for the EU countries. Also, most EU countries indicated improvements in terms of analyzed aspects of the silver economy. An innovative approach is the use of the COPRAS method in a dynamic approach, thanks to which it is possible to develop not only country rankings, but also to analyze the dynamics of changes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Aging and Sustainable Development Goals)

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19 pages, 16730 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Color as a Key Factor in Creating Sustainable Living Spaces for Seniors

by Anna Jaglarz

Sustainability 2024, 16(23), 10251; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162310251 - 23 Nov 2024

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2242

Abstract

Color as a feature of interior spaces is a fundamental component of human interaction with the built environment. Therefore, planning the design concept of an interior space with attention to color choices is extremely important, especially when the users of a given space include individuals who require additional support and care, such as the elderly. The colors used in architecture and interiors play a crucial role in the well-being of older adults, influencing their spatial perception, behavior, and activity. With age, color perception changes due to the effects of the aging process on vision. Visual deficits lead to shifts in sensory perception, which can, in turn, affect the sense of well-being, often creating a heightened sense of uncertainty. These changes in color perception due to aging may impact the color preferences of older people within their living environments. To create supportive environments for seniors, it is necessary to investigate which colors are most easily recognized, which colors are easiest to distinguish, and which colors are preferred by older adults. Based on a review of the literature and research findings on age-related changes in chromatic and spatial perception, design recommendations and guidelines have been developed. To supplement this knowledge, a survey was conducted among seniors to gather insights on their color preferences. Observations and analyzes of the survey results point to strategies for color use and underscore the importance of color in designing sustainable living spaces for seniors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Aging and Sustainable Development Goals)

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17 pages, 713 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Subjective Well-Being and Successful Ageing of Older Adults in Eastern Croatia—Slavonia: Exploring Individual and Contextual Predictors

by Marija Barišić, Željko Mudri, Nikolina Farčić, Maja Čebohin, Dunja Degmečić and Ivana Barać

Sustainability 2024, 16(17), 7808; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16177808 - 7 Sep 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1591

Abstract

The process of population ageing with socioeconomic and political implications necessitates the creation of sustainable social strategies aimed at societal inclusion, support of subjective well-being and successful ageing of older adults. Therefore, the aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore individual and contextual factors and predictors which impede the possibility of successful ageing. The study was conducted from January to June 2024 through a questionnaire involving 403 elderly participants who live in the Eastern region of Croatia—Slavonia. The Diener Scale of Subjective Well-being and Self-assessment of Successful Ageing Scale were used in this research. A separate and model contribution of predictors (gender, age, subjective age, residence, level of education, marital status, comorbidities, Satisfaction with Life Scale and Prosperity Scale) were examined using bivariate and multivariate regression. Multivariate regression differentiated a statistically significant model, which as a whole explains between 41% and 55% of the variance of the present negative assessment of successful ageing, correctly classifying 80% of cases. The significant predictors included subjective age, place of residence, level of education, comorbidities, Satisfaction with Life Scale, and Prosperity Scale. These findings underscore the importance of both individual and contextual factors in successful ageing within this specific regional context. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Aging and Sustainable Development Goals)

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24 pages, 1563 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of Cultural Institutions in Promoting Well-Being, Inclusion, and Equity among People with Cognitive Impairment: A Case Study of La Pedrera—Casa Milà and the Railway Museum of Catalonia

by Laia Delfa-Lobato, Maria Feliu-Torruella, Andrea Granell-Querol and Joan Guàrdia-Olmos

Sustainability 2024, 16(13), 5531; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16135531 - 28 Jun 2024

Viewed by 1989

Abstract

Background: Museums and cultural institutions are increasingly aware of the needs and interests of the society they serve. Simultaneously, these institutions play a more significant role in public health and well-being, such as by conducting activities for people with cognitive impairment. Moreover, they prioritize their contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations within the framework of the 2030 Agenda, thus connecting both objectives. Method: A comparative case study was conducted to determine how the characteristics of cultural institutions conducting activities for individuals with cognitive impairment can affect their outcomes and promote well-being, inclusion, and equity. Data-collection techniques included non-participant observations, interviews, and document reviews. Results: This research suggests that certain characteristics of cultural institutions can influence the management and execution of cultural activities aimed at people with cognitive impairment, as well as their ability to promote well-being, inclusion, and equity. Conclusions: The characteristics of cultural institutions influence the management and execution of cultural activities aimed at people with cognitive impairment, as well as their impacts and benefits. Collaboration between diverse institutions enhances outcomes, promoting well-being, inclusion, and equity among participants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Aging and Sustainable Development Goals)

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12 pages, 2347 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Sustainable mHealth Intervention to Promote Physical Activity for Healthy Aging: A Pilot Study of the “Every Walk You Take” Citizen Science Initiative

by Preet Naik, Dolores Álamo-Junquera, Laura Igual, Marc Serrajordi, Albert Pérez, Carles Pericas, Constança Pagès-Fernández, Tarun Reddy Katapally and María Grau

Sustainability 2024, 16(13), 5338; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16135338 - 23 Jun 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2513

Abstract

The objective of the Every Walk You Take initiative was to co-design and test, in a pilot study, a sustainable mHealth intervention prototype (mobile app) to promote physical activity. This prototype would help to identify the barriers to and facilitators of active living in individuals older than 55 years. A prototype of the intervention was co-designed by a community of stakeholders in Barcelona who were familiar with the social and economic burden of aging in high-income societies. The app’s functionalities included recommendations for healthy routes in the city (parks, pedestrian lanes, and streets) according to environmental variables (air quality and climate) and personal preferences (route difficulty, distance, and geolocation), and ecological momentary assessments (pictures and voice notes) were collected to identify the barriers to and facilitators of performing these routes. To test the app, a pilot study was conducted over two 7-day cycles with citizen scientists recruited at the life-long learning centers of two deprived neighborhoods in Barcelona. A total of 21 citizen scientists (mean age = 67 (standard deviation = 7)), 86% of them female, collected 112 comments and 48 pictures describing their perceived barriers to and facilitators of active living. Every Walk You Take is a new, validated, and sustainable mHealth intervention that is directly involved in health promotion, as it empowers the citizens of Barcelona to play an active role in their own healthcare. This intervention has the potential to be implemented in different cities around the world to collect information on the community determinants of health and health assets. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Aging and Sustainable Development Goals)

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14 pages, 258 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Satisfaction with Life and Health Behaviours in Pre-Seniors and Seniors: A Cross-Sectional Cohort Study

by Mariola Głowacka, Grażyna Dykowska, Monika Gasik, Marzena Humańska and Mateusz Cybulski

Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 3040; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16073040 - 5 Apr 2024

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1613

Abstract

Background: Satisfaction with life is considered the best indicator of the quality of life of older people and is commonly used as an indicator of adaptation and successful aging. The objective of this study is to evaluate the quality of life and health among pre-seniors and seniors in Płock, Poland, focusing specifically on the interplay between life satisfaction and health outcomes. Methods: The study encompassed a total of 2040 individuals, categorized as pre-seniors and seniors. A diagnostic survey method was employed, utilizing a questionnaire that gathered sociodemographic data and incorporated two standardized psychometric scales: the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and the Health Behaviours Inventory (HBI). Results: A majority of respondents demonstrated high levels of life satisfaction, with 1272 people (62.4%) scoring in the high range. In contrast, a smaller group, consisting of 299 respondents (14.7%), reported low satisfaction levels. Notably, men exhibited higher life satisfaction than women (p < 0.001). Additionally, a statistically significant but low correlation was found between the age of respondents and various aspects of the health behaviour index. This includes preventive behaviours (p < 0.001, r = 0.105), health practices (p < 0.001, r = 0.243), proper eating habits (p = 0.004, r = 0.063), and a positive mental attitude (p < 0.001, r = 0.098). These findings underline the complex interplay between age, life satisfaction, and health behaviours among the senior population. Conclusions: High life satisfaction and average to high levels of health behaviours were observed in our study, varying with gender and age. Individuals aged 61–75 reported the highest life satisfaction, whereas those aged 76–90 exhibited the most robust health behaviours. These results underscore the need for age- and gender-specific health policies and programs supporting sustainable aging, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals. Further national research is essential to comprehensively explore these trends and support global well-being initiatives for aging populations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Aging and Sustainable Development Goals)

17 pages, 1638 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Leisure and Happiness of the Elderly: A Machine Learning Approach

by Eui-Jae Kim, Hyun-Wook Kang and Seong-Man Park

Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2730; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072730 - 26 Mar 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2370

Abstract

Leisure activities play an important role in improving happiness levels for the elderly. The purpose of this study is to explore leisure-related factors that affect the happiness of the elderly using machine learning algorithms. For this research, the 2019 National Leisure Activity Survey released by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Republic of Korea, was used to analyze the data of 1769 elders over the age of 65 among 10,060 men and women aged 15 years and older in 17 cities and provinces nationwide, and it went through the process of data preprocessing, data segmentation, prediction model construction and evaluation, and model tuning. According to the findings of the study, the main factors predicting the happiness index of the elderly were leisure life satisfaction, leisure time, whether to use public leisure facilities, leisure policy satisfaction, and leisure activity companionship. The overall findings of this study imply that exploring sustainable policy towards the achievement of sustainable happiness for the elderly is important. Based on these results, policy measures to improve the happiness level of the elderly were discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Aging and Sustainable Development Goals)

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12 pages, 239 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of a Community-Based Leisure Program for Older Adults’ Leisure-Time Physical Activity: A Focus on the Social–Ecological Model

by Sangguk Kang, Dong-Han Kim and Jaeseok Lee

Sustainability 2023, 15(20), 14851; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152014851 - 13 Oct 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1801

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify how a community-based leisure program (CBLP) interacted with older adults’ leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) based on the social–ecological model. Method: Individual semi-structured interviews were completed with 19 older adults who participated in the Tennessee senior games (TSGs). Results: As a type of CBLP and an organizational factor, the TSGs were highly intertwined with intrapersonal factors, interpersonal factors, and community factors that enabled the older adults to easily access and enhance their LTPA. Intrapersonal factors, socioeconomic status, perceived functional ability, and three main motivation factors (i.e., physical health, positive feelings, and competition) emerged for TSG participation. As interpersonal factors, the majority of the older adults encountered the TSGs for the first time through their family, friends, coaches, doctors, or team colleagues. Conclusion: Participants were encouraged to maintain LTPA by interactions with other TSG participants. Community factors provided places and volunteers for a successful CBLP with advertisements (i.e., TV, board at gym). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Aging and Sustainable Development Goals)

Review

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25 pages, 2893 KiB

Open AccessReview

Research Hotspots and Knowledge Framework of Digital Healthcare Service Management from the Perspective of the Silver Economy

by Yangyan Zeng, Jiaojuan Fu, Wenzhi Cao, Yang Chen and Zhihui Yang

Sustainability 2024, 16(22), 9735; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16229735 - 8 Nov 2024

Viewed by 1587

Abstract

Over the next three decades, it is anticipated that China’s aging population will propel steady growth in elderly healthcare and senior care technologies. With its broad consumer base, long industrial chain, and variety of needs, the silver economy will provide the digital healthcare sector with a lot of prospects and enhance the well-being of the elderly while also promoting the sustainable development of the socio-economic environment. Research on digital healthcare services for the elderly is gaining traction in the digital economy era, although thorough studies in this area are still very uncommon. Therefore, in order to investigate potential future trends in digital healthcare services from the perspective of the silver economy, this research uses the visualization tool CiteSpace6.3.R1 to perform descriptive statistics, clustering analysis, and co-occurrence analysis on 639 relevant papers. The findings indicate that although China’s research in this field began later than that of other nations, it offers distinct benefits and enormous potential. Due to the irreversibility of population aging, digital health management in the context of the silver economy is likely to become a focal point of future digital society research. Innovation in the field of digital healthcare is being driven by the proper integration of advanced digital technologies like artificial intelligence and big data. In conclusion, this paper develops a research paradigm for the administration of digital healthcare services from the standpoint of the silver economy. This study offers cutting-edge insights and theoretical references, giving academics insightful advice on current research trends and possible future approaches. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Aging and Sustainable Development Goals)

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18 pages, 5089 KiB

Open AccessReview

Age-Inclusive Healthcare Sustainability: Romania’s Regulatory and Initiatives Landscape in the European Union Context

by Flaviana Rotaru, Andreea Matei, Sorana D. Bolboacă, Ariana Anamaria Cordoș, Adriana Elena Bulboacă and Călin Muntean

Sustainability 2024, 16(5), 1827; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16051827 - 23 Feb 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 5105

Abstract

Sustainable healthcare is “healthcare that is economical and has a positive impact on society”. Considering the definition of sustainable healthcare and the increase in life expectancy, the healthcare system is expected to face an increase in presentations addressed to healthcare facilities of older persons with multiple chronic diseases. Age-friendly environments support active living of older persons and healthcare support in their home. Our goal was to assess how the regulatory landscape undertaken in Romania and the ongoing research project initiatives with Romanian partners reflect the concept of age-friendly environments. Romania had a poor overall active aging index (rank 26/28) and a decrease in life expectancy by 1.4 years in 2020, with a high gender gap of 8 years in favor of women. Key findings highlight the integration of EU principles into Romania’s policies, which emphasize inclusivity, non-discrimination, and active aging. Romania’s involvement in European collaborative initiatives is primarily through private associations, lacking representation from governmental structures. National focus in Romania has been on social services for the elderly. The partners in ongoing research projects range from enterprises to universities and research institutes. The majority of ongoing research focuses on assistive technology solutions. The findings underscore the importance of national, regional, and local attention to the environmental and societal aspects of age-friendly initiatives, alongside promoting technology acceptance and adoption. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Aging and Sustainable Development Goals)

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