This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a reading and writing workshop on the well-being and active ageing oriented behaviour of older adults without cognitive deficit. Specifically, it examined the workshop’s influence on participants’ emotional and cognitive well-being, exploring how the intervention affected their perceptions of ageing and quality of life. The workshop, held in Ancona, comprised five two-hour sessions involving eight community-dwelling older adults (63-92 years). Participants engaged in reading and discussing contemporary literature, creative writing exercises and reflective activities.

A mixed-method approach was employed, combining quantitative (questionnaires) and qualitative (semi-structured interviews) tools. Data were collected before and after the workshop. Quantitative data were analysed only with descriptive purposes while qualitative data were thematically analysed.

Preliminary findings indicate a positive influence on participants' emotional and cognitive well-being, improvements in memory, reflection abilities, and social connectedness. Qualitative data revealed increased self-awareness, enhanced emotional expression, and a more positive representation of ageing.

Rsults suggest that reading and writing workshops are effective tools for promoting active ageing and enhancing well-being. The integration of literary engagement, creative expression, and social interaction fosters a supportive environment and counteract negative perceptions of ageing. Future research should explore the long-term effects and broader applicability of such interventions.

European countries declared 2012 the European Year for Active Ageing to highlight the situation of older people who play an active role in society. Lithuania and Italy, like other European countries, have been developing strategic policies. The documents emphasise the need to ensure that positive experiences of a long life are accompanied by opportunities for quality of life and well-being when developing policies to support older people. The ageing of the population and the need for more responsive services have contributed to the growing interest in collaborative research with older people. Fudge et al. (2007) define “co-research” as research doing research ‘with’ or ‘by’ older adults rather than ‘about’ or ‘for’ them. For Hayley and Tine (2022), this values-based approach to conducting research, can supports the importance of diversity and a commitment to valuing older people's perspectives and lived experiences, while critically exploring the structural factors that lead to exclusion, oppression or loneliness in later life. Participatory research seeks to fully engage older people in the research process (not only as targets or recipients) and has the potential to reverse established power imbalances and contribute to social action aimed at improving quality of life in later life (Buffel, 2018; James & Buffel, 2023).

The aim of this presentation is to discuss older adults' experience in participatory research as a factor for inclusive communities. During the conference, the preliminary results of a research carried out in the framework of international and interdisciplinary cooperation between Lithuania and Italy will be presented.

The rapid ageing of the Italian population proceeds at different speeds within the country, with inland areas plagued by a strong demographic malaise. Despite its growing relevance, ageing in inner areas is rather unexplored. Most of the literature has focused on urban settings which, however, outline a different scenario, from both a quantitative and qualitative point of view. Ageing in rural areas is a qualitatively different experience, because of specific needs and service provision, which requires a different approach than urban areas.

The article explores through official data the evolution over 30 years (from 2010 to 2040) of the older population in all the Italian municipalities of inner areas. We also assess the related potential care demand for seniors at municipal scale. Such analysis allows to create a taxonomy of potential criticalities in the care demand for older persons, distinguishing by gender and age groups (old and very old, i.e. aged 80+). Our study emphasises the large heterogeneity of the inner areas, and the variety of local needs. Examining the potential supply and demand for social support will help to understand the sustainability of the local communities, highlighting areas that may no longer be able to cope with the demands on elder care by their own means. Our findings help initiate an informed public debate aimed to sustainable and inclusive development and plan place-based interventions tailored to local needs. In the awareness that “demography is not necessarily destiny” for rural, aged communities.

Neighbours can be part of the senior support network, they can affect seniors’ sense of security (both emotional and physical), as well as help in everyday and crisis situations. The aim of the article is to explain the importance of the immediate neighborhood for seniors. The study presents the results of quantitative research - a survey conducted in 2023 among people living in the municipal housing stock of the Polish city Mysłowice and qualitative research (in-depth interviews) with staff managing such resources in 17 Polish municipalities.

The quantitative research was financed by the city of Mysłowice, while the qualitative one was financed by the National Centre for Research and Development ("Miniatura-7" project no. 2023/07/X/HS4/01467).