This book focuses on centenarians - people aged 100 and over - one of the fastest growing segments of the population in most developed countries. Drawing on official international and national data, it describes the longevity phenomenon and profiles socio-demographic, health and living conditions of long-lived people in 28 European countries. By comparing and synthesizing current information according to country, the book helps fill the knowledge gap regarding Europe's centenarian population. Providing insights to help stakeholders better predict, plan for and respond to the challenges of extreme longevity, it is a valuable resource for students and academics in the field of population aging, gerontology and geriatrics, as well as social scientists and policymakers.

Autorentext

Laetitia Teixeira is a Biostatistician and Invited Assistant Professor at the Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto. She is also Researcher in the Center for Health Technology and Services Research, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (CINTESIS-ICBAS, UP). Her main interests/areas of studies are Biostatistics (survival analysis, competing risks, joint modelling) and Health (centenarians, old people, peritoneal dialysis), with several publications in these areas.

Lia Araújo is a Gerontologist and Assistant Professor at the Polytechnic Institute of Viseu and Researcher in the Center for Health Technology and Services Research, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (CINTESIS-ICBAS, UP). Her main research interests are focused on the oldest old, centenarian´s psychosocial specificities, and in positive approaches to the aging process (successful and active aging models).

Constança Paúl is a Psychologist and Full Professor at the Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto. She is a senior researcher of the Ageing Cluster research group at the Center for Health Technology and Services Research, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (CINTESIS-ICBAS.UP) and Head of the PhD course on Gerontology and Geriatrics (ICBAS-UP). Her current areas of interest include health in later life and its social correlates (e.g., loneliness), neurocognitive disorders (Alzheimer disease) and frailty.

Oscar Ribeiro is a Psychologist and Auxiliary Professor at the Education and Psychology Department of the University of Aveiro. He is the principal investigator of the Ageing Cluster research group at the Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS) and Head of the PhD course on Gerontology and Geriatrics (UA). He is the PI of the Oporto Centenarian Study (PT100 study) and his main research interests include mental health issues in advanced ages (clinical and subclinical syndromes), centenarians' psychological strengths, and formal and informal care provision to the oldest old.

Klappentext

This book focuses on centenarians people aged 100 and over one of the fastest growing segments of the population in most developed countries. Drawing on official international and national data, it describes the longevity phenomenon and profiles socio-demographic, health and living conditions of long-lived people in 28 European countries. By comparing and synthesizing current information according to country, the book helps fill the knowledge gap regarding Europe's centenarian population. Providing insights to help stakeholders better predict, plan for and respond to the challenges of extreme longevity, it is a valuable resource for students and academics in the field of population aging, gerontology and geriatrics, as well as social scientists and policymakers.

Inhalt

Preface

1. Introduction

1.1 Aging in Europe 1.2 The oldest old and the longevity revolution

1.3 Methodological note

1.4 References

2. Socio-demographic aspects of centenarians

2.1 Number

2.2 Gender

2.3 Education

2.4 Rural/Urban

2.4 References

3. Health related characteristics

3.1 Health indicators

3.2 Functionality

3.3 Deaths 3.4 References

4. Living conditions

4.1 Living arrangements

4.2 Household

4.3 Income

4.4 References

5. Final remarks****