Healthy, Safe and Active Aging, 2nd Edition

Abstract submission deadline

15 December 2025

Manuscript submission deadline

28 February 2026

Viewed by

6349

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

The aging of the population on a global scale is a complex demographic process involving social, cultural and economic aspects. While the increase in longevity in recent decades is undoubtedly a great success, on the other hand, it is necessary to ensure and maintain psychophysical and relational wellbeing in older persons in order to monitor and manage the progressive loss of functional abilities as well as the onset of age-related diseases. In addressing the challenge of the aging population, policies aimed at prevention, rehabilitation, environmental facilitation and economic, social and motivational support of the elderly and their family were developed. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines healthy aging as “the process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables wellbeing in older age”. The core concept of maintaining vitality capacity is increasingly important. The interaction between the intrinsic capacity of an individual (mental and physical capacities) and the relevant environmental characteristics (home, community and broader society, the built environment, people and their relationships, attitudes and values in addition to health and social policies) is a requirement for healthy aging. Moreover, in order to turn aging into a positive experience, the WHO has adopted the term active aging to define “the process of optimizing opportunities for health, participation and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age”. During the entire course of their life, people should act in favor of their physical, social and mental wellbeing, according to their needs, desires and capacities. In addition, the progressive loss of functional abilities as well as the onset of age-related diseases creates major health and safety problems for workers if their tasks are always designed for young people. This Topic is devoted to providing a contribution regarding the determinants of healthy, safe and active aging, embracing the biopsychosocial model, by considering biological, psychological and social factors as well as their complex interactions in understanding health, illness and healthcare delivery in aging. Demographic and cultural characteristics, social and economic determinants, physical environments and personal and behavioral determinants, from medical, psychological, sociological and technological points of view, will be considered. We welcome manuscripts related to the following: (a) mental health, the promotion of the decrease in risk factors associated with major diseases and the increase in factors protecting health; (b) psychological factors (cognition, emotion and personality) in normal and pathological aging; (c) biological factors (genetic, molecular and cellular); (d) quality of life, assessment, prevention, effective treatments and interventions, holistic medicine, age-friendly and safe environments and social support; and (e) available and emerging technologies for interfacing with the human brain and of their application to support elderly individuals (assistive technologies, neuroengineering, biomedical engineering, information technology and sensor technology).

Dr. Antonella Lopez
Prof. Dr. Andrea Bosco
Prof. Dr. Giuseppina Spano
Dr. Luigi Tinella
Dr. Elisabetta Ricciardi
Dr. Alessandro Oronzo Caffò
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Brain Sciences brainsci	2.7	4.8	2011	15.6 Days	CHF 2200	Submit
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ijerph	-	7.3	2004	25.8 Days	CHF 2500	Submit
Journal of Ageing and Longevity jal	-	-	2021	26.1 Days	CHF 1000	Submit
Nursing Reports nursrep	2.4	2.5	2011	37.1 Days	CHF 1800	Submit
Nutrients nutrients	4.8	9.2	2009	13.5 Days	CHF 2900	Submit
Healthcare healthcare	2.4	3.5	2013	20.3 Days	CHF 2700	Submit

MDPI Topics is cooperating with Preprints.org and has built a direct connection between MDPI journals and Preprints.org. Authors are encouraged to enjoy the benefits by posting a preprint at Preprints.org prior to publication:

1. Immediately share your ideas ahead of publication and establish your research priority;
2. Protect your idea from being stolen with this time-stamped preprint article;
3. Enhance the exposure and impact of your research;
4. Receive feedback from your peers in advance;
5. Have it indexed in Web of Science (Preprint Citation Index), Google Scholar, Crossref, SHARE, PrePubMed, Scilit and Europe PMC.

Related Topic

Published Papers (5 papers)

Order results

Content type Publication Date

Result details

Normal Extended Compact

Journals

All Brain Sciences IJERPH JAL Nursing Reports Nutrients Healthcare

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Plain Text BibTeX BibTeX (without abstracts) Endnote Endnote (without abstracts) Tab-delimited RIS

Error

Oops... you haven't selected anything for export.

Ok

clear

21 pages, 3404 KiB  

Open AccessReview

Evaluating Smart Home Usability and Accessibility in Early Detection and Intervention of Mental Health Challenges Among Older Adults: A Narrative Review and Framework

by Mohammad Mahdi Fakhimi, Adriana Hughes and Alisson M. Gustavson

J. Ageing Longev. 2025, 5(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/jal5010003 - 24 Jan 2025

Viewed by 1036

Abstract

Background: Smart home technologies (SHTs) hold promise for supporting older adults by enabling early detection and intervention in mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline. However, adoption remains limited due to usability, accessibility, and privacy concerns. Methods: This [...] Read more.

Background: Smart home technologies (SHTs) hold promise for supporting older adults by enabling early detection and intervention in mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline. However, adoption remains limited due to usability, accessibility, and privacy concerns. Methods: This narrative review examined the literature from 2010 to early 2024 related to SHTs and their impact on older adults’ mental health. In total, 34 relevant studies met the inclusion criteria, and also, a standardized quality assessment tool was used to evaluate the methodological soundness of the included studies. Results: Findings reveal that interface complexity, cognitive overload, high costs, and privacy concerns are significant barriers to adoption. Accessibility challenges, including physical and sensory impairments, further reduce engagement and inclusivity. Key facilitators for user acceptance include user-centric design, personalization, participatory co-development, and cultural adaptations. SHTs incorporating AI-driven features, such as behavioral monitoring, medication reminders, and social engagement tools, demonstrate significant potential for early mental health interventions. Based on these findings, we propose a holistic framework integrating technical innovation with human-centered design to address these challenges and optimize SHTs for mental healthcare. Conclusions: Tailored systems that prioritize usability, accessibility, ethical data management, and user feedback can empower older adults to maintain autonomy, support aging in place, and enhance their quality of life with dignity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Healthy, Safe and Active Aging, 2nd Edition)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 737 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

The Mediating Effect of Social Networks on the Impact of Health Perceptions on the Quality of Life in Older Adults

by Selma Durmuş Sarıkahya, Amine Terzi, Yalçın Kanbay and Sevil Çınar Özbay

Healthcare 2025, 13(2), 122; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13020122 - 9 Jan 2025

Viewed by 487

Abstract

Background/Objective: Social networks help improve psychosocial and quality-of-life outcomes among older adults. This study aimed to examine the mediating role of social networks in the effect of health perception on the quality of life of the elderly. Methods: The sample of the study [...] Read more.

Background/Objective: Social networks help improve psychosocial and quality-of-life outcomes among older adults. This study aimed to examine the mediating role of social networks in the effect of health perception on the quality of life of the elderly. Methods: The sample of the study consisted of 327 people over the age of 65 who applied to a family health center. The study data were collected using the “Personal Information Form”, “Perception of Health Scale”, “World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument-Older Adults Module”, and “Lubben Social Network Scale”. Multivariate regression analyses and mediation effect examinations were conducted to explore the relationships between social networks, health perception, and quality-of-life outcomes. Results: According to the findings, social networks mediate the relationship between health perception and quality of life. Individuals with a high level of health perception and a high level of social networks have higher quality-of-life levels than others. Conclusions: The results of the study confirm the significant correlation between health perception and the quality of life, as well as any potential links between these factors and social networks that affect older people’s quality of life. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Healthy, Safe and Active Aging, 2nd Edition)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

attachment

Supplementary material:
Supplementary File 1 (ZIP, 279 KiB)

12 pages, 922 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

The Association Between Dietary Iron, the SNP of the JAZF1 rs864745, and Glucose Metabolism in a Chinese Population

by Zihan Hu, Hongwei Liu, Baozhang Luo, Chunfeng Wu, Changyi Guo, Zhengyuan Wang, Jiajie Zang, Fan Wu and Zhenni Zhu

Nutrients 2024, 16(22), 3831; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16223831 - 8 Nov 2024

Viewed by 809

Abstract

Objectives: Dysglycemia is prevalent in China; previous studies had shown that dietary iron was associated with glucose metabolism, and rs864745 was also related to it. The objective of this study is to investigate the association between dietary iron, the SNP of the JAZF1 [...] Read more.

Objectives: Dysglycemia is prevalent in China; previous studies had shown that dietary iron was associated with glucose metabolism, and rs864745 was also related to it. The objective of this study is to investigate the association between dietary iron, the SNP of the JAZF1 rs864745, and glucose metabolism among Chinese adults. Methods: 3298 participants (1584 males and 1714 females) were recruited and underwent physical measurements, laboratory tests, and genotyping. All surveys were conducted by qualified public health professionals. Dietary iron was assessed using the 3-day 24 h dietary recall method and condiment weight records. Genotyping for rs864745 was performed using the SNaPshot Multiplex System. Results: After adjusting for covariates, a significant trend was found between the dietary iron and elevated fasting glucose (p = 0.012), whereas no such trend was observed for the rs864745 (p = 0.932). Among the male participants, the risk of elevated fasting glucose was associated with both dietary iron (compared to the lowest quartile, the ORs with 95% CIs for elevated fasting glucose in Q2,Q3, and Q4 were 1.52 (1.01, 2.45), 1.73 (1.05, 3.00), and 2.49 (1.33, 4.74), respectively) and the rs864745 (OR = 2.15 (1.02, 4.51)), and an interaction effect between them was observed (p = 0.041), which was absent in females (p = 0.999 and p = 0.131, respectively). Stratified by the SNP rs864745, the males without the C allele had a linear risk increase with iron (p = 0.018), while the C allele carriers did not. Additionally, ferritin and the rs864745 were associated with the AST-to-ALT ratio (p = 0.005 and p = 0.048, respectively). Conclusions: Our study found that dietary iron and the SNP rs864745 interacted and were associated with elevated fasting glucose in Chinese males and absent in females. In addition, the presence of a C allele on rs864745 showed higher risks of elevated fasting glucose regardless of the consumption of dietary iron among the males. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Healthy, Safe and Active Aging, 2nd Edition)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 301 KiB  

Open AccessStudy Protocol

Stress and Coping Behavior Exhibited by Family Members Toward Long-Term Care Facility Residents While Hospitalized

by Han-Lin Kuo and Yi-Wen Chiu

Healthcare 2024, 12(20), 2022; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12202022 - 11 Oct 2024

Viewed by 1181

Abstract

Background: With the increase in the elderly population, institution-based care has become another option for elderly people. In Changhua, Taiwan, the number of long-term institutions has doubled in the past decade, and more families are choosing to send their elders to institutions for [...] Read more.

Background: With the increase in the elderly population, institution-based care has become another option for elderly people. In Changhua, Taiwan, the number of long-term institutions has doubled in the past decade, and more families are choosing to send their elders to institutions for care. However, there is stress induced by having to care for these elders when they come back to their family members when hospitalized. Therefore, this study aimed to understand the stress and coping behaviors of family members in regard to hospitalized long-term care facility residents and identify relevant factors that affect and predict the stress and coping behaviors exhibited by these family members. Method: In this study, a quantitative and cross-sectional survey was conducted using the convenience-sampling method; family members of long-term care facility residents hospitalized in a regional hospital in central Taiwan were selected as the research participants and a total of 162 family members were admitted. The data were collected in the form of questionnaires including basic information and data on the stress and coping behaviors of the family members. The data were collected and coded by using SPSS 22.0 to perform descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. Results: The standard average score of total stress for family members was 57.03 points, which corresponds to a moderate level. The four perceptions of stress by family members were, in order, physiological, life, psychological, and economic. Furthermore, family income, work status, and the relationship between residents of the family members and physiological, psychological, and economic factors had predictive power for their problem-oriented coping behaviors, with an explanatory power of 59.6%. Life aspects, gender, marital status, and the number of hospitalizations in half a year had significant predictive power for the family members’ emotion-oriented coping behaviors, with an explanatory power of 19.0%. Conclusions: The family members had high levels of stress, especially physical stress, and the total scores of stress perception were higher for those who were younger than 39 years old and had no rotating family members. Additionally, the coping behavior of the main caregiver was mainly problem-oriented. The results of this study may serve as a reference that can help nursing staff in clinical or long-term care facilities to provide or develop effective and individualized services for family members of facility residents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Healthy, Safe and Active Aging, 2nd Edition)

25 pages, 427 KiB  

Open AccessReview

Promoting Geropsychology: A Memorandum for Research, Policies, Education Programs, and Practices for Healthy Aging

by Andrea Bosco, Anna Consiglio, Manuela Nicoletta Di Masi and Antonella Lopez

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(9), 1172; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21091172 - 3 Sep 2024

Viewed by 2008

Abstract

Background: This viewpoint paper reports the state of the art at a global level on research, practice and assessment, policies, and training in the clinical psychology of aging and, more specifically, in geropsychology. The main sources of information were as follows: (1) the [...] Read more.

Background: This viewpoint paper reports the state of the art at a global level on research, practice and assessment, policies, and training in the clinical psychology of aging and, more specifically, in geropsychology. The main sources of information were as follows: (1) the most recent reviews of the literature available in the scientific literature; (2) the resources on the internet referable to professional and academic associations dealing with the topic; and (3) the laws, policy initiatives, and funded programs that are aimed at the diffusion and applications of mental health in aging. Methods: The present study aims to provide an updated and comprehensive memorandum highlighting the importance of prioritizing mental health in older adults. It seeks to promote health in general and disease prevention strategies, ensuring equitable access to mental health services integrated into primary care and designed for aging. This paper also aims to shed light on the slow development process and lack of consolidation in the adaptation of academic training at master’s and doctoral levels in most developed countries, despite the long-declared importance of enhancing resources for the promotion of geropsychology. Results: The results of the present study are patchy. Although the importance of enhancing resources for the promotion of geropsychology has long been declared, the development process seems very slow, and the adaptation of academic training at master’s and doctoral levels in most developed countries—those that, for demographic reasons and attitudes, should be more sensitive to the issue, does not yet seem to have consolidated. Conclusions: Collaboration among diverse professionals is crucial for providing integrated and comprehensive care to older adults that addresses their physical, psychological, and social needs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Healthy, Safe and Active Aging, 2nd Edition)

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Plain Text BibTeX BibTeX (without abstracts) Endnote Endnote (without abstracts) Tab-delimited RIS

 

Error

Oops... you haven't selected anything for export.

Ok

clear

Displaying articles 1-5