Climate Change Adaptation for Healthy Ageing

Climate change and its adverse impacts on humans, especially older adults, and ecosystems are of concern to stakeholders globally. Its events such as flooding, heat waves, and hurricanes make the ageing process daunting. Ageing is a natural chronological change that occurs throughout the lifespan and accompanies a decline in functional ability. Healthy ageing, on the other hand, encompasses the maintenance of functional capacity and well-being in later life. In fostering healthy ageing, the Decade of Healthy Ageing 2021–2030 initiative was launched by the United Nations to support older adults, their families, and communities. This and related initiatives are expected to yield positive outcomes, but the impact of climate change may offset these outcomes. Hence, successful adaptation by ageing people amidst climate change events and other crises is a requirement for healthy ageing. This chapter aims to provide a narrative analysis of the role of adaptation in manoeuvring climate change events and related crises for healthy ageing. Recommendations and implications for policy are provided.