1 Introduction

The World Health Organization (WHO, 2015) defined the concept of healthy aging “as the process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables well-being in older age.” According to the Basic Psychological Needs Theory (BPNT) within the Self-Determination Theory (SDT) macro framework, a sense of individual well-being can be achieved by fulfilling three basic, universal psychological needs of autonomy, competence and relatedness (Deci & Ryan, 2008). Autonomy refers to the feeling of control over one’s decision and actions, competence is the mastery of skills and feeling of effectiveness in one’s actions, and relatedness is the feeling of closeness and connectedness to another person. The fulfillment of these basic, innate needs fosters a self-determined individual with an intrinsic, autonomous motivation toward sustained activity engagement. Being active and engaged in one’s community brings benefits to one’s health, as well as social affiliations, and enables continued contributions to society (Dong, Chang, Wong, & Simon, 2011). On the other hand, the frustration of even a single basic need would lead to negative repercussions such as diminished intrinsic motivation, physical and psychological health.

With physiological and psychological decline being an unavoidable part of the natural aging process, the older adult population is left vulnerable to losing autonomy over their daily lives and perceived sense of safety in their immediate physical environment (Wu, Prina, & Brayne, 2015). Furthermore, in an increasingly technology-reliant environment, rapid technological advancements may threaten competence among adults. Individuals also face a pressing challenge of combating social isolation and alienation as they age. In addition to individual efforts, a joint effort and investment by the community at large is integral to creating a culture of healthy aging. An environment that optimally supports one’s basic needs, and healthy aging, includes age-friendly infrastructure, affordable and accessible healthcare provisions, and opportunities for a variety of activity engagement. Moreover, activities that encourage intergeneration interactions can bring about long-standing advantages such as alleviating intergroup anxiety and eliminating negative stereotypes through mutual understanding (Chua, Jung, Lwin, & Theng, 2013). Intergenerational interactions relate to quality involvement with people from different generations. Intergenerational learning could enable older adults to remain relevant in their knowledge and skills while nurturing the younger generation at the same time, thereby maximizing resources within a community (Newman & Hatton-Yeo, 2008). In addition to involving older adults when reviewing policy making decisions, the facilitation of interdisciplinary collaborations and international communication is also vital in assessing existing measures and developing future interventions (Buffel & Phillipson, 2018; Karlin & Weil, 2017; Srinivasan, O’Fallon, & Dearry, 2003).

Human beings, as with other living things, are embedded within a physical environment. A difference is that humans have a capacity to manipulate and change their surrounding environment. The environment can either facilitate or thwart an individual’s basic psychological needs of autonomy, competence and relatedness (Deci & Ryan, 2008). As the need for relatedness suggests, humans are inclined toward positive social interactions with one another. By reforming the physical environment to support older adults’ functional independence and promote healthy aging, it can also create a social awareness and sensitivity within the community which is vital to sustaining healthy aging practices. It is still a commonly held notion that healthy aging is a concept only applicable to older adults who are past a certain age. However, healthy aging requires the support and involvement of all ages. While there is increasing literature on age-friendly infrastructure and its benefits on maintaining older adults’ functional abilities and social interactions (e.g. Niu et al., 2017), there is still limited research on how aspects of the environment can involve the younger generation and promote healthy aging practices across the age continuum through community integration.

This chapter will examine three environmental aspects and their influences on healthy aging: (1) the built environment, (2) public policies and services, and (3) opportunities for community involvement. Next, the involvement of younger people and intergenerational interactions to promote healthy aging are discussed. Finally, future directions for stakeholders and policymakers are suggested.

2 The Built Environment

The built environment refers to places created or modified for human activity (Srinivasan et al., 2003). It encompasses transportation, housing, public institutions, and recreational spaces. These aspects can either facilitate or hinder one’s functional abilities, social connectedness, and capacity to age in place. A systematic review of qualitative studies identified five main aspects which had an influence on the activity level of older adults, namely pedestrian infrastructure, safety, access to facilities, aesthetics, and environmental conditions (Moran et al., 2014). In the subsequent sections, age-friendly infrastructure, transportation, and recreational spaces are further discussed in relation to SDT and healthy aging.

2.1 Age-Friendly Infrastructure

One of the fundamental areas in support of healthy aging is age-friendly infrastructure. Empirical findings have shown that age-friendly landscaping compensates the physical decline of older adults, minimizes their perception of environmental risks, and increases their confidence to leave their homes (e.g., Niu et al., 2017). As physical mobility and dexterity gradually decline with age, older adults become less adept at navigating their surroundings and vulnerable to injury (Kerr, Rosenberg, & Frank, 2012). Therefore, measures to create a safer environment are necessary to enable them to retain their autonomy and daily living independence for as long as possible (Rantakokko et al., 2017).

The fear of falling has been linked to lower levels of activity and mental health issues such as anxiety and depression (Painter, Allison, Dhingra, & Daughtery, 2012). Examples of environmental modifications to assist with balance and reduce the possibility of falls include leveling uneven walkways and pavements, tapering curbs, ensuring ample lighting, and installing ramps and rails along sidewalks (Niu et al., 2017). Moreover, an increased level of physical activity protects one’s cardiovascular health through the maintenance of a healthy body weight and body fat mass percentage (Lee & Park, 2006). It also builds one’s physical strength, leading to a beneficial cycle of a reduced likelihood of sustaining injuries from falling.

In addition, traffic-related risks can also impact older adults’ perception of safety to leave their homes (Lockett, Willis, & Edwards, 2005). In a UK-based study by Asher, Aresu, Falaschetti, and Mindell (2012), it was reported that adults above the age of 65 are often unable to cross pedestrian crossings in time. This was attributed to traffic light crossings being calibrated based on the assumption that the average walking speed is 1.2 m/s. However, the average walking speed of older adults was found to be approximately 0.9 m/s, decreasing further with age. The ‘Green Man Plus’ scheme is an example of a protective countermeasure (Land Transport Authority, 2013). By tapping their senior citizen identity card at a device installed at selected traffic lights in Singapore, citizens aged 60 and above may activate an additional 6–13 seconds of crossing time. It is therefore important for similar countermeasures to be implemented in the proximity of residential areas to improve the safety of citizens, especially among older adults living in traffic-heavy cities. This would reduce their perceived risk of leaving their homes, thereby restoring their autonomy in daily living.

The fear for their safety and negative prior experiences with their surroundings deter older adults from leaving their homes. Thus, age-friendly infrastructure not only improves both real and perceived safety of older adults, but also leads to an increased willingness and ability to engage in activities outside of their homes. In addition to preserved autonomy and independence, older adults can also reap the psychological benefits of increased physical activity such as elevated mood and decreased rate of cognitive decline (Lewis et al., 2020; Menichetti, Cipresso, Bussolin, & Graffigna, 2016).

2.2 Transportation

The availability and accessibility of public transportation such as trains and buses enable individuals to access a variety of places and services. In neighborhoods which do not have daily living facilities such as supermarkets and community spaces within walking distance, it is common, or even necessary, for people to commute by cars. However, with a loss in acuity of psychomotor skills, older adults are less capable to operate a vehicle with age, leading to an increased probability of causing a road accident. A recent study conducted in Japan, a rapidly aging country with one of the largest proportions of elderly people, noted that despite a decreased total number of accidents in a 15-year period since 2000, the total number of sudden acceleration accidents had increased (Suzuki, 2018). Sudden acceleration refers to a situation when the driver mistakes the accelerator pedal for the brake. The author further revealed that this type of accident was highest among elderly drivers, and there are still many limitations to the existing countermeasure of installing an autonomous braking device. By offering accessible and affordable public transportation, older adults may be encouraged to switch away from driving while retaining their autonomy and mobility to access places in their community. Moreover, the usage of public transportation reduces sedentary time within a car, and promotes increased physical activity level as users walk to and from the public transportation stops.

In addition to being accessible and affordable, auxiliary facilities also play a large role in older adults’ decision in utilizing public transportation. Public transportations require commuters to be outside a considerably longer amount of time compared to driving or walking. As older adults face diminished physical strength and stamina, it is important to provide shelters and seats along the way to shield them against natural elements and fatigue. The absence of shelters and seats, together with long waiting time as older adults tend to travel during off-peak timings when frequency is low, causes displeasure and an aversion toward the use of public transportation (Wong, Szeto, Yang, Li, & Wong, 2017). Furthermore, reduced bowel control among older adults needs to be taken into consideration during transportation planning (Greed, 2006). The accessibility of clean toilets in the vicinity of train stations or bus stops may facilitate or hinder older adults’ use of public transportation. Greed (2006) posited the provision of public toilets and maintenance of their cleanliness are the missing links in building a ‘sustainable and inclusive’ community. The author noted that governments may be hesitant in installing sanitary facilities for the fear of exploitation and misuses. However, the inability to gain quick access to a sanitary toilet is not only a barrier for older adults, but also eventually leads to an increased medical cost for the society as people become vulnerable to bacterial infection. Hence, the long-term benefits would outweigh the initial construction and subsequent maintenance costs. When transportation and auxiliary facilities are adequate, older adults are encouraged to leave their houses, leading to enhanced physical activity, social connectedness, and reduced vulnerability to health problems stemming from a sedentary and socially isolated lifestyle, thus contributing to the society’s healthy aging goals.

2.3 Recreational Spaces

Recent studies have investigated the influences of green spaces and parks in proximity to residential areas, and contributed to evidence of its association with a host of physical and psychological health benefits such as reduced levels of stress and depression (e.g., Berman et al., 2012; Beyer et al., 2014; Jennings, Larson, & Yun, 2016; Zhou & Rana, 2012). These benefits may be reaped either directly through increased duration of physical activity or indirectly through social interactions and recreational activities held within the green space. In urban cities, green spaces not only provide an added aesthetic value and sensory stimulation for residents, but also improve the quality of the surrounding environment by helping to remove harmful pollutants from the air, manage heavy rainfall, and provide a habitat for wildlife (Jim & Chen, 2006).

A five-year longitudinal study, conducted in Tokyo with 3144 participants, found a significant positive predictive value for the survival of elderly residents living in urban residential areas with walkable green spaces after controlling for the effects of age, sex, marital status, and socioeconomic status (Takano, Nakamura, & Watanabe, 2002). A good visibility, through the provision of ample lighting and pruning of shrubs, boosts one’s perceptions of safety and willingness to visit communal green spaces (Lindgren & Nilsen, 2012; Maruthaveerana & Bosch, 2014).

Despite having these inherent benefits, green spaces are often sacrificed for urban development plans (Haaland & Bosch, 2015). Zhou and Rana (2012) recognized that communities may be hesitant to build more green spaces as the benefits are intangible and cannot be measured in monetary terms. Thus, they proposed an integrated measure for the valuation of social benefits brought about by green spaces to justify the initial financial investment required from the government. While it may be unavoidable to incur additional costs from the subsequent maintenance of green spaces, the continued physical and psychological health benefits reaped by an individual will greatly reduce the overall financial burden on the community in the long run.

Furthermore, sustainability may be achieved by providing residents with an opportunity to be involved in the planning and building of green spaces (Simić, Stupar, & Djokić, 2017). “Community greening,” for instance, is a bottom-up approach which provides individuals with the autonomy to customize and manage small-scale greening projects. By supporting one’s autonomy, it would foster intrinsic motivation within individuals to commute to a space. The basic psychological need for competence may be fulfilled when they see the results of their gardening efforts, and their need for relatedness may be fulfilled through interactions with other users of the green space. Thus, the authors suggested that a bottom-up approach may have a quicker, farther-reaching and sustainable impact than a top-down approach toward building an age-friendly community (Simić, Stupar, & Djokić, 2017).

More importantly, age-friendly modifications in the physical environment not only help the older population, but also create a sense of awareness and sensitivity within the general population to their needs. These modifications, together with the subsequent management and evaluation of a physical environment, are closely tied to government policies. In addition to monetary investments on infrastructure, policies to control crime rates and pollution levels also affect one’s perception of safety in their surrounding environment and willingness to leave their homes. In the next section, socioeconomic policies and their impacts on healthy aging are discussed.

3 Public Policies and Services

Public policies are intricately linked to the physical and social environment of a community, and can affect the health, level of activity engagement and well-being of citizens. Factors such as frequent garbage collection, access to health services and safety of public areas are linked to better physical and mental health while factors such as heavy traffic, poor lighting and air quality, and vandalism may have negative effects on health (Annear et al., 2014). The fundamental step toward promoting healthy aging is prioritizing resources to build and reinforce a safe, age-friendly environment.

It is also important to understand that healthy aging is a concept relevant to all age groups, not just older adults. Early life experiences such as education and financial conditions during childhood can influence one’s health and lifestyle choices in the later years (Wise, 2016). A chronic, poor physical or mental health is likely to thwart one’s basic psychological needs and ability to achieve healthy aging. Hence, while the policies discussed in this section are limited to the older adult population, they should be considered alongside policies targeting to improve the well-being and quality of life at earlier stages of life.

3.1 Security Against Crimes

A recurring concern among older people is the real and perceived safety of their environment. As they become aware of their physical and cognitive decline, they are likely to feel more vulnerable to crime, and experience increased fear and anxiety about leaving their homes. In a study by Ceccato and Bamzar (2016), they found support to their hypotheses that: (1) elderly persons are the most fearful of being victims of crime; (2) elderly victimization often occurs in places which lack surveillance; (3) activity levels reduce with extreme weathers; and (4) self-limited mobility due to fear of personal safety. It is interesting to note that a lack of interaction and trust with neighbors contribute to an increased sense of danger in the immediate environment surrounding older adults. Thus, in addition to strict law enforcements to reduce crime rates, there is also a need to facilitate communication among residents living in close proximity in order to restore older adults’ confidence and autonomy in pursuing activities outside of their homes.

3.2 Access to Affordable Healthcare

Policies aimed at providing accessible and affordable healthcare are essential for meeting healthy aging goals in a community (Lim, Wong, Leong, Choo, & Pang, 2017). This would encourage citizens to go for regular medical checks as a preventive measure, as well as receive updated advice on their health status and lifestyle. Older adults’ reluctance and fear toward activity engagement may be addressed through these health assessments. By being accurately aware of their existing physical abilities and limitations, older adults and their caregivers would be better equipped to make suitable adaptations to meet their needs of autonomy, competence and relatedness, leading to self-determined behaviors which would improve their well-being.

De-centralizing medical care is one way to reduce the burden on hospitals (Rosen et al., 2016). Besides the accessibility and affordability of healthcare, social support improves both emotional and instrumental assistance, which could counter negative attitudes toward regular medical checks or awareness of one’s aging conditions. For instance, it has been found that the satisfaction of social support is more important than frequency of social support in improving attitudes toward aging (Lamont, Nelis, Quinn, & Clare, 2017). Hence, older adults are likely to value the quality of social support and derived emotional stability when it comes to maintaining positive attitudes toward aging.

3.3 Financial Support and Employment Opportunities

As older adults approach retirement, their financial stability may become strained. Thus, policies to provide monetary reliefs and reduced taxation on older adults, complemented with education on financial literacy in later life, could alleviate aging anxieties, and enable continued autonomous living.

Given that more countries are facing a trend of an inverted population pyramid as their elderly population enjoy a longer life expectancy, policymakers are aware of the constant policy reformulation that is needed. Therefore, attitudes toward the aging process and potential of elderly people have to change and align with the new demands of tomorrow’s elderly. However, enabling seniors to work, to stay active and engaged, and to feel a sense of worth and purpose is a joint community effort. Most seniors want to continue to work and employers should consider redesigning job to harness their abilities and strengths (Nilsson, 2017). A continued involvement in the professional industry can be encouraged through raising the age limit for re-employment for senior workers. For instance, Singapore plans to raise retirement age from 62 to 65, and re-employment age from 67 to 70, by 2030 (Lee, 2019). By promoting greater job opportunities to remain employed in a community, older adults can stay physically and mentally engaged, thereby maintaining their functional abilities for a longer period of time.

4 Opportunities for Community Involvement and Social Connection

Providing opportunities for older adults to have continued involvement and contribution to society is another critical aspect to the concept of healthy aging. Besides employment, opportunities for autonomous community involvement such as volunteerism and leisure activities would enable older adults to develop their competence in areas of interest, as well as form new social connections. By satisfying their three basic psychological needs, older adults can attain a sense of well-being, maintain functional independence, and be intrinsically motivated to engage in activities within their community. This, in turn, leads to a beneficial cycle which allows rapidly aging communities to profit through a larger workforce and reduced financial burden from medical costs.

Engagement in activities preserves one’s functional abilities for a longer time by providing a buffer against physical and mental decline (Shah, Lin, Yu, & McMahon, 2017). A systematic review of studies on sedentary lifestyle and older adults above 60 concluded that while the elderly population has the highest prevalence of sitting for long hours per day, if the time is spent on activity engagement such as reading or doing puzzles, it protects one’s cognitive functions and lowers the risk of dementia as compared to passive activities such as watching television (Rezende, Rey-López, Matsudo, & Luiz, 2014). Moreover, by being involved in a combination of physical, mental and social activities, older adults are more likely to retain the level of functional health required to carry out daily tasks independently (Shah et al., 2017).

Additionally, as people grow older, they become vulnerable to social isolation from experiences of negative life events and stressful transition phases (Nicholson, 2012). Nicholson (2009) defined the concept of social isolation as “a state in which the individual lacks a sense of belonging socially, lacks engagement with others, has a minimal number of social contacts and is deficient in fulfilling and quality relationships’’ (p. 1346). Social isolation may lead an individual to withdraw from society and develop feelings of loneliness. Social isolation and loneliness have been shown to negatively impact one’s physical health, cognitive capacities, as well as emotional functioning (Shankar, McMunn, Banks, & Steptoe, 2011). A predictive relationship was also found between feelings of loneliness and elevated mortality risk and morbidity, independent of risky health behaviors such as smoking. Thus, measures to combat social isolation and foster feelings of being valued within society are integral in promoting healthy aging. This may be provided in the form of opportunities to develop existing or new skills, pursue personal interests, and contribute one’s experience to help nurture the next generation and assist in the advancement of society. Opportunities for meaningful volunteer work, communal leisure activities, technology-use and intergenerational interactions are discussed in relation to SDT and healthy aging in subsequent sections.

4.1 Skills Development Courses and Volunteer Work

In recent years, there is a growing body of research and emphasis placed on undergoing continued education through one’s later years. The access to education and learning opportunities should not cease the moment one enters the workforce. Instead, it should continue throughout an individual’s lifespan. While there is an increasing attention on “lifelong learning,” there has yet to be a consensus on its definition. According to Fischer (2001), lifelong learning “involves and engages learners of all ages in acquiring and applying knowledge and skills in the context of authentic, self-directed problems, and it exploits the possibilities offered by new media” (Fischer, 2001, p. 1). The author posited lifelong learning is an invaluable mindset and approach to living in an ‘information age’ where more urban cities are shifting from manual labor-intensive industries to knowledge-based and technology-driven ones (Fischer, 2001). Hence, encouraging continued learning through educational courses not only improves the cognitive abilities of individuals, but also allows older adults to gain new skills and knowledge to remain relevant and valuable to their workforce and society. Without relevant skills and knowledge, an individual’s need for competence may be thwarted. The fulfillment of all three basic psychological needs is imperative for developing active, self-regulated learners capable of resolving self-directed problems (Ng, 2016).

Colardyn and Bjornavold (2004) commented that the synchronization of policies between the State and various stakeholders is crucial in enabling lifelong learning. Lifelong learning should encompass learning in formal, non-formal and informal contexts (Merriam & Kee, 2014). Formal education is provided by registered institutions and participants may earn official certifications to aid in their jobs, non-formal education is “sponsored by community, civic, and voluntary organizations,” and informal learning occurs as an unintentional “by-product of doing something else” (Merriam & Kee, 2014). Merriam and Bierema (2014) suggested that non-formal or informal forms of learning are more common for older adults. Drawing on the concept of a self-directed lifelong learner, individuals should not be just passive receivers of education. Instead, communities should leverage on the diverse and vast experiences of older adults by providing opportunities where they are able to share their expertise and apply their newly acquired knowledge and skills. This need not be limited to professional field, but may also expand to cover areas of personal interests such as sports or the arts. The provision of a wide range of courses would cater to the basic need for autonomy; the opportunity to learn, or even teach, fulfills the need for competence; and social interactions through these educational contexts can also create feelings of connectedness and belongingness with peers, fulfilling the need for relatedness.

One of the barriers to activity engagement at community centers is the lack of flexible meeting times and limited forms of information delivery (Lorek et al., 2017). Communities should look into the possibility of recruiting older adults who have retired to assist with the centers’ operations. For example, retired individuals may be offered training to conduct courses during timeslots which are less favorable for the general public, but a preferred timing for the elderly population. This, and other similar volunteer or paid work, can provide seniors with purpose and feelings of self-fulfillment, as well as promote happiness and well-being (Saz-Gil, Gil-Lacruz, & Gil-Lacruz, 2019).

4.2 Organized Leisure Activities

Previous research has shown that partaking in leisure activities, by joining a sports club or interest group, has a positive impact on one’s physical and psychological health (e.g., Tomioka, Kurumatani, & Hosoi, 2017). When one participates in a leisure activity, it can lead to feelings of positive emotions, better attitudes toward aging and lowered perceptions of physical health problems (Hicks & Siedlecki, 2017). Organized leisure activities also provide a context for individuals to be connected with people of the same interests and develop new friendships.

Consistent with SDT, a study by Tomioka et al. (2017) found that health benefits can only be fully reaped if the activities support an individual’s need for autonomy. The cross-sectional study was conducted in Japan with functionally independent participants born between 1945 and 1949. Of which, 5126 were males and 7006 were females. The authors reported “voluntary participation in sports groups and hobby clubs had significantly better physical health component summary scores (PCS) than non-participation, and better mental health component summary scores (MCS) than not only non-participation, but also obligatory participation” (Tomioka et al., 2017, p. 111). Furthermore, participants who felt obliged in the activities were less cooperative and did not form strong bonds with others in their group. For females, obligatory participation had even resulted in poorer MCS than non-participation. This suggests that when an individual does not feel autonomous in an activity, it may lead to significant negative repercussions on the need for relatedness, as well as personal well-being.

A meta-analysis revealed that as people grow older, they tend to have a small social circle and interact mostly with their family members and close friends (Wrzus, Hänel, Wagner, & Neyer, 2013). However, depending on the nature of interaction, health benefits may be undermined. Sharifian and Gruhn (2019) found social support, defined as “functions performed for the individual by others such as encouragement or help with tasks,” to be a double-edged sword. While it may contribute to better perceived health and functional ability in the presence of a stressor, it may also result in the individual having a negative perception of the self from an awareness of his or her physical limitations and decline.

It is important to develop and maintain friendships as they have a differential impact on subjective well-being compared to family members (Pinquart & Sörensen, 2000). This may be attributed to older adults feeling more comfortable in confiding to someone of similar age, and whom understands their concerns, being at the same stage of life. Finally, active participation in an interest group not only enables regular social interactions, it also allows older adults to meet new people in their vicinity as the relocation, or even death, of family members and close friends may threaten opportunities for social participation (Blieszner & Ogletree, 2017).

4.3 Technology

With recent technological advancements, there is a move toward understanding how technology may aid in alleviating the impending economical strains of a rapidly aging population on society. While an effective solution has yet to emerge, there are many promising prospects for the development and usage of technology to support healthy aging. For instance, if the neighborhood is perceived to be unsafe or if it is a day with bad weather, individuals may utilize the Internet and mobile applications to meet their basic psychological needs. The array and flexibility of virtual programs provide older adults with an autonomy in activity selection and engagement duration. In the comfort of their homes, older adults may improve their physical strength through virtual guidance for indoor exercises, fulfill the need for competence through self-development via e-learning platforms, and meet the need for relatedness by connecting with their loved ones through video calls (Gardiner, Geldenhuys, & Gott, 2018). A healthier and active silver population would ease the financial burden and pressure on medical resources in society and, at the same time, expand the pool of unharnessed manpower available to bolster the economy.

There is a rising number of ways in which technology may support individual autonomy, competence and relatedness. For instance, interactive digital visualization platforms such as Skype and Google map can be used for communicating with other people and checking directions to places (Fernández, Hernández, Gutiérrez, Escuela, & Fino, 2017). Besides assisting older adults in keeping their independence, technology also improves their quality of life through supporting personal improvement and providing entertainment (Gustafson et al., 2015). Technology has the potential to involve those who are at risk of social exclusion or loss of functional independence. It could also alleviate feelings of loneliness an elderly person faces when housebound, especially when he or she does not live together with a loved one. Fernández et al. (2017) investigated how the use of apps in smartphones and tablets could improve the quality of life within a group of senior citizens at risk of social exclusion. Their findings showed that senior citizens used information and communication technologies (ICTs) in their everyday lives when they have the desire or need to find information, communicate with others, obtain social assistance, or entertain themselves. The use of ICTs could enable the older adults to digitally visit or revisit events or locations that would have otherwise been impossible to access.

Keränen et al. (2017) found that older adults with physical frailty were associated with less frequent ICT use. Older adults aged 65 years and more, who were at an increased risk of falls, had declining mobility, or disability in daily activities, used ICTs less than those non-frail ones. Similarly, frail non-users were more negative toward advanced mobile ICTs (smartphones or tablets) than the non-frail non-users; while ICT users reported no difference in attitude toward ICTs. Nevertheless, there are challenges for some older adults when using ICTs or gaining digital literacy. Digital literacy is defined as the ability to understand and use information through the medium of internet with a laptop or smartphone (Schreurs, Quan-Haase, & Martin, 2017). It can be difficult for older adults to acquire ICT skills when they do not have the necessary support or technological device in place. With the support and use of technology available in a social context, older adults are more likely to develop and gain digital literacy. Furthermore, the roles their technological knowledge, prior experiences, and perceptions of technology may play in supporting or hindering their development of digital literacy should be reviewed and addressed in future research.

In summary, technology opens up new opportunities for lifelong learning and could improve the quality of life through a social supportive context. Although technology could also support seniors with limited physical or cognitive abilities, they may be less inclined to learn the features of their smartphones (Berenguer et al., 2017). Older adults have to believe in the positive benefits of using technology and electronic devices such as smartphones, before they are able to recognize the necessity of technology usage in societal participation (Jacobson, Lin, & McEwen, 2017). Technology and ICTs (e.g., smartphone, mobile device) provide the means to access information, cultural or leisure activities, and communicate to others with ease. As such, ICTs could potentially support the basic psychological needs of older adults, alleviate social isolation and loneliness, as well as boost individual well-being and functional abilities, thereby promoting healthy aging.

4.4 Intergenerational Interactions

Intergenerational interactions promote healthy aging through opportunities of active participation in social activities, contributing to an enhanced quality of life, well-being and satisfaction (Villas-Boas, Oliveira, Ramos, & Montero, 2019). Besides encouraging invested participation in society, intergenerational interactions help to reduce social withdrawal, increase social support networks, individual knowledge, skills and competencies, thereby optimizing the possibilities of healthy aging of individuals and populations.

Agmon, Doron, and Ergon-Karlin (2018) highlighted that intergenerational interaction between younger people and older adults could foster meaningful learning, activism and social participation in their local communities. Intergenerational relationships not only relate to the organization of activities for senior citizens and young people, but also to specific or educational programs that are designed to foster intergenerational interactions (Molina, Casado Gual, & Stončikaitė, 2018). Intergenerational interactions can help to break negative stereotypes younger people may believe about older adults, and vice versa (Ramírez & Palacios-Espinosa, 2016). The intergenerational education study by Villas-Boas et al. (2019) suggested that different generations have goals, interests or thoughts in common that could become sources of guidance, support and empowerment. Hence, intergenerational interactions could raise awareness and facilitate understanding about lives of individuals and others of the community, giving the opportunity to think and act together as well as learn and acquire new behaviors that overcome challenges in life conditions, contributing to greater well-being and life satisfaction.

5 Future Directions and Conclusion

To meet the increasing demands of an aging population, there is a need to periodically evaluate the needs of the community and to create a sustainable healthy aging environment. An age-friendly environment is sensitive to the changing needs of older adults, and intergenerational interactions may lead younger generations to be more aware and invested in sustaining communal efforts to support older adults and healthy aging practices. However, a steep initial investment of resources is an inevitable first step for driving a community toward healthy aging practices. It is thus recommended that the government recognize the long-term benefits for the community, and promote interdisciplinary and international collaborations to develop efficient, effective, and multipronged measures to nurture a sustainable culture of healthy aging. In addition, the government should provide older adults with opportunities to stay active in the professional field or develop their competence in personal interests such as sports or the arts. Social involvement and interactions are also important in keeping older adults physically and mentally healthy. Hence, building an environment with adequate policies in place and opportunities for education and community involvement are potential strategies to motivate individuals in continued activity engagement during later stages of life, and to promote healthy aging across the lifespan.