Active Aging

A policy framework and paradigm promoted by the World Health Organization that emphasizes maintaining physical activity, social engagement, and independence in later life to improve health outcomes and quality of life. While the concept has influenced health policy and technology design for older adults, it has been critiqued for placing excessive responsibility on individuals, potentially reinforcing ableist assumptions that aging with disability represents failure, and framing physical activity primarily as a means to combat decline rather than as a source of pleasure and social connection. In technology design, uncritical adoption of active aging principles can lead to systems that pressure older adults to perform rather than supporting their actual preferences and circumstances.