Population ageing has been identified by the European Commission as one of the major social and political challenges of the 21st century. Older adults constitute an increasing share of developed societies. Their active engagement in life is important for all social parties: individuals, their families, local communities, economic markets, and social institutions. Rewarding daily activities may greatly increase their wellbeing and promote active engagement in life in a variety of forms.
This study looked at older adults’ everyday experiences and at how these experiences are subjectively evaluated by them. Specifically, it is investigated how daily activities affect individuals’ momentary wellbeing, including stress and enjoyment, and whether they influence the overall satisfaction with life. The study addressed three broad research questions: 1) how older adults organize their days, 2) how particular daily events are experienced by them, and 3) how objective events and their subjective evaluation are linked with individual’s sociodemographic characteristics and their subjective wellbeing or satisfaction with life in general.
The action concluded with four scientific publications submitted to peer-reviewed journals, three conference presentations, an information brochure for older adults in three language versions, several articles in the media, and a brief talk on the topic of the action in a popular TV programme. The project fond that, among others, the intensity, location, and emotional assessment of daily activities influence the in-situ wellbeing, and, in turn, the in-situ wellbeing is associated with individuals' satisfaction with life.
