Promoting Social Capital for Healthy Aging: Towards an Integrative Framework

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Sociology
• Public Health

Background:

• Lack of a theoretical framework for enhancing social capital in older adults during the Decade of Healthy Aging.
• Need for evidence-based strategies to promote social participation and community engagement among seniors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose an integrated theoretical framework for enhancing social capital among older adults.
• To illustrate the framework's utility using timebanking as a case study for healthy aging.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and theoretical synthesis.
• Conceptualization of timebanking as an intervention to enhance social capital in an aging population.

Main Results:

• An integrated theoretical framework comprising emotional meaningfulness, co-production, and inclusivity.
• Demonstration of timebanking as a practical application of the framework.

Conclusions:

• The proposed framework provides a guide for promoting social capital in older adults.
• Interventions like timebanking can foster social participation, community co-production, and an inclusive society for healthy aging.