SIGNIFICANCE AND APPLICATION OF THE STRATEGY OF HEALTHY AND ACTIVE AGEING IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Abstract

In the first half of 2015, a percentage of residents older than 60 years of age on a world level amounted to 12%, thus representing the fastest growing segment of the world population. For the past two centuries, a care for older persons and promotion of their active and healthy ageing has become a priority issue for social policy creators in numerous European countries. Ageing is a global trend and demands urgent action of all society segments. The background for all activities, responses and creation of adequate policies present a good insight into demographic trends, position of older people in the society and understanding the concept of social involvement enabling to observe the position of older people in different aspects of social participation, meeting their needs and achieving quality lifestyles. The active ageing concept became a priority for European Community policies, as well as organisations such as Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. The active ageing strategy encourages the shift of the health care system from a curative to a preventive model, as well as promotion and support of rehabilitation and independent living. The main idea behind the active ageing concept is to enable the individual to become an active participant in the life of his/her family, as well as in the society, despite existing cognitive or physical difficulties, frequently present in the senior age. The Strategy presents a basis for making policies and decisions in the health care, including decisions on allocation of financial funds within the health division. The Strategy must offer clear and convincing reasons why something is considered a priority. Bosnia and Herzegovina is in urgent need to implement a strategy that would improve the health of older people and enable healthy and active ageing.