Combating Ageism and Elderly Abuse: The Roles of Physical Activity Participation, Social Services Utilization, and Legal Interventions

Ageism, a pervasive social bias against the elderly, often intertwines with various forms of abuse, posing significant threats to the health and well-being of older adults. In its effort to foster healthy longevity and communities void of ageism, the United Nations launched the Decade of Healthy Ageing 2021–2030 campaign. To provide perspectives for successfully rolling out this initiative, this chapter explores the role of physical activities, social services, and legal interventions in the fight against ageism and abuse of older adults. This chapter recognizes physical activities, social services, and legal interventions as interdisciplinary pathways for combating ageism. Social services play a pivotal role in identifying and addressing the complex needs of older adults, from fostering community engagement to providing support networks. More so, the importance of integrating disciplines to create holistic strategies for ageing populations was reviewed. It suggests establishing community-based fitness initiatives, strengthening legal protections, and increasing awareness about legal rights and reporting mechanisms for abuse. Stakeholders should implement technology-driven solutions for efficient communication, collaborate with lawmakers for updated laws, and provide resources for safe exercise practices for ageing individuals.