ABSTRACT
This chapter explores aging in contemporary Spain. Similar to other European countries, the population of Spain is aging. There has also been a rise in immigration; many of these immigrants are older European who move to Spain for the climate. This chapter reviews the health and well-being challenges facing older residents in Spain and those officials who focus on improving the health and well-being of older people in the country. Chronic diseases are affecting more than 19,000,000 people in Spain (EsCrónicos, 2016). The most common illnesses people aged 65+ are experiencing include arthrosis, arthritis, and rheumatism (52.9 percent), high blood pressure (47.1 percent), chronic lumbar back pain (32.5 percent), high cholesterol (32.2 percent), chronic cervical back pain (29.2 percent), varicose veins in the legs (23.8 percent), and Type 2 diabetes (19.3 percent) (Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality, n.d.). The high percentage of people with a sedentary lifestyle who are still convinced that the state of health is good is alarming. This chapter discusses motivators and barriers to physical activity for older residents of Spain, among other factors that influence the adequate design and improvement of services and programs for sport and physical activity adapted to older adults in Spain.
