Identifying Priorities for Aging Policies in Two Portuguese Communities.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Policy
• Community Health

Background:

• The increasing aging population presents significant health, social, and economic challenges.
• Local policies must adapt to meet the evolving needs, wishes, and rights of older adults.
• Active aging is a guiding principle for developing effective policies for an aging demographic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and apply the Model for Aging Local Policies Analysis (MALPA) as a practical tool for evaluating local aging policies.
• To assess the effectiveness of MALPA in identifying intervention priorities for aging policies in two Portuguese communities.
• To determine if MALPA can facilitate the development of improved local aging policies.

Main Methods:

• The Model for Aging Local Policies Analysis (MALPA) instrument was utilized.
• MALPA was applied to two distinct Portuguese communities: Coruche and Oeiras.
• The study evaluated existing policies and identified areas for intervention and improvement.

Main Results:

• Ten key intervention priorities for aging policies were identified.
• These priorities include collaborative governance, elderly involvement in policy-making, and lifelong learning.
• Other identified priorities focus on economic hardship, inclusive policies, support for vulnerable groups, intergenerational contact, safety, labor opportunities, and transport.

Conclusions:

• The MALPA instrument is effective in evaluating local aging policies and identifying intervention priorities.
• The application of MALPA facilitated the identification of specific areas for policy improvement in the studied communities.
• The findings provide a framework for developing more responsive and effective local aging policies.