Background

Decreasing fertility rates and rising life expectancy have created drastic demographic changes in Europe. The ageing population can be seen as a success of public health policies and socio-economic development, but it also challenges society to develop the health and well being of older people as well as ensuring their security and social participation.

Active Ageing allows people to realize their potential for physical, social and mental well-being throughout their lives and to participate actively in society, whilst providing them with adequate protection, security and care, all leading to an extended, and healthy, life expectancy.

Older people is being encouraged to acquire new skills and participate in society. Active engagement in cognitively stimulating activities is associated with reinforced memory function, decreased depression and increased life satisfaction.

Providing suitable educational resources is vital at this respect, within a central learning paradigm where personalisation, collaboration and informal learning are at the core!