Beth Johnson Foundation

Through a critical overview of the mainly individualistic and productivity-centered concept of active aging developed by the World Health Organization and some European Union institutions, it is argued that, far from being fostered, intergenerational solidarity could be endangered since its relational nature is being normatively constrained. The authors recommend that both the World Health Organization and European Union approaches need reconsideration and critical analysis to prevent them from undermining intergenerational solidarity. Consequently, five axioms to articulate theoretical rethinking around intergenerational solidarity and active aging are presented and a relational and ambivalent approach to intergenerational relationships is recommended.

I feel particularly honored to contribute the editorial comment to the journal at this current time. Globally, we are witnessing a rapid growth in interest in intergenerational programming that is ...

Harold Brenner and Emer Shelley, Adding Years to Life, Life to Years... a Health Promotion Strategy for Older People, Report No. 50, National Council on Ageing and Older People, Dublin, 1998, 88 pp, £5.00, ISBN 1 900378 08 6. - Volume 18 Issue 6

RECENT campaigns aimed at increasing awareness of health issues amongst older people have contributed much to the debates about health education and health promotion. Unfortunately though, publicity campaigns fail to address the very practical aspects of how we might help older people develop self-empowered health behaviour. This article considers firstly what it means to be poor and powerless and describes seven key factors which facilitate self-empowered health behaviour. These are then related to an innovative health project being developed with older people in Stoke-on-Trent, funded jointly by the Beth Johnson Foundation and the EEC under its Second Poverty Programme.

Merlin A. Taber, Mary Ann Anichini, Steve Anderson, Robert A. Weagant, and the Community Care Project, University of Illinois School of Social Work, A Handbook of Practical Care for the Frail Elderly, The Oryx Press, Arizona, 1986, 120 pp., £26.35 (pbk), ISBN 0 89774 289 3. - Volume 7 Issue 4