Aging Populations’ Everyday Life Perspectives on Healthy Aging: New Insights for Policy and Strategies at the Local Level

Population aging makes policy makers face the challenge of supporting people as they age. Strategies designed to promote healthy aging should take the viewpoints of this target group into account. To strengthen interventions on healthy aging, this study aims to investigate how aging individuals experience healthy aging in their locality. A salutogenic background is used to ensure a broad perspective on health. Data collected from 79 in-depth interviews (using an appreciative inquiry approach) in the Netherlands were analyzed for interviewees’ experiences on healthy aging. Results indicate that healthy aging is perceived within the context of everyday life, and interviewees who are content with their health often have an assets-based and positive view on health. Often, however, interventions and facilities address isolated health themes, and such an approach does not match well with these perceptions. Framing interventions positively in terms of assets, resources, and everyday life may increase their effectiveness.