Healthy Ageing: The Importance of Self-Care Across the Life Course

Abstract

Healthy ageing is a lifelong process shaped by biological, behavioural, social, environmental, and healthcare-related factors. Although ageing is frequently associated with older adulthood, the conditions that influence health and functional capacity in later life are established throughout the entire life course. Within this perspective, self-care represents an important strategy for promoting health, preventing avoidable diseases, maintaining functional capacity, and strengthening autonomy. This academic essay discusses the importance of self-care across different stages of life and its contribution to healthy ageing. Particular attention is given to physical activity, nutrition, sleep, mental health, social relationships, prevention, health literacy, chronic disease management, and access to supportive environments. Self-care is understood not as an individual obligation, but as a shared process influenced by families, communities, health professionals, health systems, and public policies. Promoting self-care throughout life can contribute to greater autonomy, functional ability, participation, quality of life, and well-being in older age. Healthy ageing should therefore be understood as a collective and lifelong public health commitment.