Ageing in Iceland

1. Ageing in Iceland Involvement, independence and participation in decision-making GudbjorgArnadottir

2. Beinghappy? A conferenceonageingwas held byDirectors of SocialAffaires, attendedbyprofessionals,ageingpeopleandvariousartists • Commentfrom a writer: Gettingold is likebeingpunished for somethingyoudidn‘t do.... • Commentfrom a philosopher: Acquiringwisdom is likecollectinghappiness-blubber. Thelongerwelivethefatterwe get. Ifusedwiselyitwillleadtohappinessbecause of allthememoriesgatheredthroughlife GudbjorgArnadottir

3. Ideas of theyoung: What is a retiredperson? • Sebastian : This is a verydifficultquestion, I haveseenthemon TV. I thinktheycollectcans • Johannes: Youbecomeonewhenyouareveryold, 30-40 years. Theydocarpentryandtheytellyouifyourplumming is leaking • Johanna: Theyarealwaysonholidaybutthey still get money. Everyonebecomesone, exceptiftheydiefirst. I thinkit‘s a goodthingbecausethenyoucanstay in thebathtuballday. GudbjorgArnadottir

4. Associations of theAgeing • Around Iceland thereareassociationsthatprovidevariousservices for theageing. Theseassociationsareformedandsustainedbytheageingthemselves • Ineverycommunity, however small, theageinghavetheirownassociation • Eachcommunityprovidesassistancetotheassociations e.g. manpowerandhousing GudbjorgArnadottir

5. Multiple choice • Eventhougheachcommunityassiststheassociationsasnecessary, it is entirelyuptoeachindividualtoparticipate in activitiesoffered • It is easytoaccessinformationonthe internet or in thelocalpapers • Eventscanbeoutings, artexhibits, concerts, handiwork, physicalactivitiesetc. GudbjorgArnadottir

6. Programme 4.-11. May 2013in Kopavogur (community of 30.000) Therewere 36 eventsadvertisedincluding: • Concert at theswimmingpool • Zumba-party at theswimmingpool • Jazz concert at thelocalconcerthall • Lecture: History of Kopavogur • Educationalwalk in a small wood in theneighbourhood • Origamilessons • Variousartexhibitionsandconcerts • Swimmingandphysicalactivities GudbjorgArnadottir

7. Getting involved • There have been vivid discussions in Iceland on how to involve the public in decision-making • This has also had impact on the affairs of the ageing population • Based on a model used to get ideas from the public for a new constitution (held 2011), a congress was held by the authorities to initiate and promote ideas regarding the ageing GudbjorgArnadottir

8. The Congress • The congress wasinitiatedbyTheministry of Welfare, City of Reykjavik, TheNationalAssociation of theAgeing, TheOffice of TheAgeingAffairesandfourassociations of differentprofessionals • TheOffice of TheAgeingAffairesinstigatedtheCongress in celebrationof TheEuropeanYear of theAgeing GudbjorgArnadottir

9. Thepurpose Thetheme: CELEBRATING SUCCESSFUL AGEING • Toincitetheageingpopulationtoparticipate in decisionmaking in theirownaffairs • Participantswereprofessionalsandtheageing, togetherwithofficials GudbjorgArnadottir

10. Attendanceexceededexpectations GudbjorgArnadottir

11. Theagenda Twomaingoals of the congress were • Topromptdiscussiononaffairs of theageingin generalandanalyseexpectationsandoutlooktowardstheageingyears • Topromotepositiveattitudetowardstheageingpopulation, theirsocialposition, andhowtoappreciatetheirviewonlife GudbjorgArnadottir

12. Notitle!! GudbjorgArnadottir

13. Beingoldor not soold • Theoldestparticipantrunning for Parliamentthis spring was 104 years of age, Hlíf Böðvarsdóttir • TheoldestelectedMember of Parliamentthis spring is 69 yearsold, Sigrún Magnúsdóttir • Hlíf said: Wecannotliveonourown, onour small islandweneedothernations to workwithandtheymayalsoneedus GudbjorgArnadottir

14. Thefourquestionsasked • Whatarethesociety‘s expectationstowardstheageing? • Whatdotheageingexpectfromthesociety? • Whatdoessuccessfulageinginclude? • Howdowe best celebratesuccessfulageing? GudbjorgArnadottir

15. Thesocietiy‘s expectations • Theageingarelookeduponas a social-number (includesdate of birth!) • Theageingfeelthattheyareexpectedtobe in thebackground • Theirpoliticalviewsare not consideredasvalidasthose of theyoungergeneration • Theageingarelookeduponas a groupinstead of individuals GudbjorgArnadottir

16. Whattheageingwant • Theageingwanttobetakenseriouslyandtheiropinionappreciated • Thesocietyshouldappreciatethewisdomandexperience of theageingasanassett, theydo not wanttobeconsidered a burden • Theageingwanttobe part of decision-makingthatconcernthem GudbjorgArnadottir

17. Successfulageingincludes • beingableto set goals in life • choosingdesiredleisureactivities, nomatterwhatage • dutiesthatarepart of life, also for theageing • intellectualandphysicalstimulationthroughactivities, chosenbytheageingthemselves GudbjorgArnadottir

18. Celebratingsuccessfulageing • Havingbreakfastwiththelove of yourlifeeveryday! • Enjoyinglifewithyourfamilyandfriends • Enjoyingthethingsthatyouhaveaccomplishedthroughlife – enablingyoutomediateyourwisdomtotheyoung • Beingabletolookforwardtotomorrowandthelifeahead GudbjorgArnadottir

19. Why not brag a little? GudbjorgArnadottir

20. Staying active • Being old does not have to mean you must think old. Many ageing people sing in a choir and Eurovision contest songs are sometimes part of their repertoire GudbjorgArnadottir

21. Physical activity 70 + GudbjorgArnadottir

22. With a little help from a friend GudbjorgArnadottir

23. Ice GudbjorgArnadottir

24. Fire GudbjorgArnadottir