Envelhecimento ativo: o futuro de uma sociedade que está aprendendo a envelhecer

Population aging is one of the main demographic phenomena of the 21st century, directly impacting social, economic, and political structures. In this context, the concept of active aging emerges as a fundamental strategy to promote quality of life, autonomy, and social participation among older adults. This article aims to analyze active aging as an essential paradigm for the future of a society that is learning to age. This is a qualitative study based on a literature review of scientific publications and institutional documents, especially guidelines from the World Health Organization. The results show that active aging goes beyond the absence of disease, encompassing continuous opportunities for social participation, security, and lifelong learning. It is concluded that adopting this paradigm is essential for building a more just, inclusive, and aging-prepared society.