Holistic Well-being of Older Adults as a Multidimensional System Based on Life Experiences in the Context of Urban Indonesia

Objective The framework for healthy ageing is still largely normative and developed in the context of high-income countries, thus failing to capture the life experiences of older adults in middle and low-income countries. This study aims to explore the meaning of holistic well-being in Makassar City, shaped in accordance with the local urban context of Indonesia. Method This study used a qualitative approach with in-depth interviews of 45 participants consisting of older adults and older adult cadres selected using purposive sampling in 15 sub-districts in Makassar City. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis with MAXQDA 2024 software. Results This study identified eight interrelated dimensions of holistic well-being for the older adults: functional physical well-being, financial security, social participation, productive engagement, lifelong learning, spiritual life orientation, family-centered happiness, and social connectedness. Conclusion This study expands the healthy ageing paradigm by placing well-being as a multidimensional and contextual system within the Global South framework. The theoretical implications emphasize the importance of a relational and life experience-based approach in the development of elderly-friendly policies and interventions in middle-income urban environments.