Researchers Päivi Naskali, Marjaana Seppänen and Shahnaj Begum at the University of Lapland have edited a volume titled "Ageing, Wellbeing and Climate Change in the Arctic", published by Routledge. The contributions in the work explore ageing and welfare as they are seen in the Arctic.
The volume provides a multidimensional view of the North as a living
environment stretching from Greenland to northern Russia. Significantly,
it makes the voice of the region’s people heard, offering the reader
insights into what ageing is like in the unique circumstances of the
Arctic.
The articles are organized thematically in four parts.
The first part provides an overview of the position of older people in
the Arctic in terms of ageing policy, migration and volunteer work. The
second focuses on how climate change and changes in the natural
environment affect the health and wellbeing of older people. Among other
findings, the analysis reveals that climate change is increasing
morbidity among the region’s elderly population. In another trend cited,
dwindling populations in remote areas have weakened social
relationships, a development reflected in increased depression and
insecurity.
The third part of the volume examines the wellbeing
of older persons as they themselves describe it. Factors that emerge as
contributing significantly to wellbeing are a feeling of trust and
security and people’s opportunities to be heard in matters affecting
them. Client-centred care proved to be an essential condition for
wellbeing, with the aesthetic appeal of the environment also a key
element. The contribution on Sami culture found that the opportunity to
participate in traditional cultural practices is important; interaction
between older and younger members of the community improves the
wellbeing of both groups.
The concluding part looks at the role
of food, forests and cultural traditions in the wellbeing of older
people. The studies point out that seemingly mundane factors such as
traditional food and the natural environment are important to older
people, above all for maintaining mental alertness and functionality;
this was found to apply whether the informants lived in Greenland, the
Torne River valley or the Veps-speaking areas of Russia.
The book
offers new research-based knowledge for those making decisions on
ageing persons and for the academic community. The volume is the outcome
of a collaboration by researchers representing different countries in
the project Arctic Change, funded by NORDREGION from 2012 to 2014
Book release:
Friday, 22 January 2016, 1 pm
Lecture room 8 (ground floor, main building, University of Lapland, Yliopistonkatu 8, Rovaniemi).
The event is open to everyone interested in the topic. Welcome!
Additional information:
Professor Päivi Naskali
Mobile +358 (0) 40 484 4127
paivi.naskali(at)ulapland.fi
www.ulapland.fi/PäiviNaskali
Researcher Shahnaj Begum
Mobile +358 (0) 40 484 4122
shahnaj.begum(at)ulapland.fi
www.ulapland.fi/ShahnajBegum