Preface

This edited volume, *Social Aspects of Ageing – Selected Challenges, Analyses, and Solutions*, is a collection that emphasizes the primary challenges outlined by the United Nations during the Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030). The contributions encompass research involving topics vital for older people, their families, and communities, such as confronting ageism, age-friendly environments, and care delivery. The book also addresses issues associated with the global, national, regional, and local implementation of age-specific and intergenerational responses, initiatives, and policies towards meeting the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

The collection includes works that provide research and practical advice from areas such as critical studies, geographical gerontology, legal studies, public health, and sociology. It includes six chapters prepared by ten contributors from Australia, China, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, and Switzerland.

The chapters are organized into three sections. The first section, "Different Approaches to Combatting Ageism", covers studies on the challenges of developing social policies based on human rights. The second section, "Development of the Age-Friendly Environments", explores investigations on geographical gerontology and accessibility to primary healthcare services. The last section, "New Skills and Competencies", focuses on intergenerational relationships, community resources, and older adults' privacy and digital competencies.

This book is intended for academic and professional audiences interested in theories of ageing as well as public services and ageing policy. *Social Aspects of Ageing – Selected Challenges, Analyses, and Solutions* aims to assist students, practitioners, and individuals employed in government, business, and nonprofit organizations.

I want to thank the chapter authors for their excellent contributions. Collectively, we are taking a small step in advancing social gerontology. I would like to express gratitude to Karmen Daleta, Patricia Kerep, Jelena Vrdoljak, and Filip Lovricevic from IntechOpen for their outstanding organizational abilities in assisting with the editing and publishing process.

> **Andrzej Klimczuk** SGH Warsaw School of Economics, Warsaw, Poland

Section 1
