Picault, Anne-Laure

Aging well: Reflections on an adaptable prevention system - 2024.


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Prevention is a key issue in current public policies. The French health and social system, which is based on the remedial management of social risks, seems to have certain limits to the promotion of preventive public policies. Actions to promote “aging well” are mainly aimed at older adults. However, these actions lack coherence in view of the existing scientific literature, but also in view of the discrepancy between what is proposed and the expectations of the beneficiaries themselves. This opinion paper outlines the determinants of prevention for “aging well” and proposes a psychosocial reflection and recommendations for future interventions. Interventions combining partnership, co-construction, engaging communication, and an approach centered on the needs of individuals would be most effective, in particular because they include the motivational aspects of individuals, the participation of volunteers, health professionals, and local actors. At the same time, an overall objective would be to destigmatize practices that are not related to “aging well” in order to promote a more comprehensive approach to individual practices.