What attributes of successful aging are important to older adults? The development of a multidimensional definition of successful aging

2020 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 161-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbra Teater ◽  
Jill M. Chonody
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Definition Of

scholarly journals Development of a Comprehensive Chinese Successful Aging Scale: Incorporating the Viewpoints of Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 215-216
Author(s):  
Edwin K H Chung ◽  
Dannii Yeung
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Initial Item ◽  
Civic Awareness ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Inspiring by Martinson and Berridge’s (2015) systematic review, the current definition of successful aging (SA) fails to acknowledge the laypeople’s conceptualization of SA. Adopting a mixed-method approach, two studies were conducted with the aim of soliciting older adults’ perceptions of SA and to develop a multidimensional instrument for assessing SA. Study 1 was a qualitative study and 27 community-dwelling older adults (Mage=68.07 years, SD=7.10, range=60–83; 56.3% females) were interviewed. Interview transcripts were analyzed, and seven themes were emerged. An initial item pool for the Successful Aging Scale (SAS) was then established based on these themes as well as those in the SA literature, such as acceptance and independence. Study 2 was a survey study which was conducted among 414 community-dwelling older adults (Mage=64.50 years, SD=4.01, range=60–82; 55.3% females) to identify optimal items for constitution of the SAS. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a 12-factor solution, accounting for 62% of the variance. The 12 factors are adequate health, perceived constraints, flexible attitudes toward life, acceptance of age-related change, life embracement, active engagement, harmonious family, supportive friendship, civic awareness, social contribution, living independently, and adaptive coping strategies. The 12 factors exhibit similar strength of associations with most of the well-being measures, but certain factors show stronger correlation with depressive symptoms and social relationship, suggesting the uniqueness of each factor. Overall, the SAS demonstrates promising psychometric properties. These findings disclose that the older adults’ perceptions of SA could cover broader dimensions than those in Rowe and Kahn’s model (1997).

scholarly journals The Experience of Aging and Perceptions of “Aging Well” Among Older Migrants in the Netherlands

2019 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 270-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Conkova ◽  
Jolanda Lindenberg
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Life Course Perspective ◽  
Older Migrants ◽  
Aging Well ◽  
Subjective Views ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
The Life Course

Abstract Background and Objectives In this study, we examine the experience of aging and subjective views of what it means to age well among older adults with a migrant background in the Netherlands. We embed the study within the successful aging debate and tackle two of its most persistent critiques: the failure to adequately include subjective views in the definition of aging well and the failure to recognize that the process of aging is culturally determined. Research Design and Methods The research draws on qualitative data collected through eight focus-group discussions with the six largest migrant groups in the Netherlands, namely Indo-Dutch and Moluccans, and migrants with Western, Surinamese, Antillean, Turkish, and Moroccan background. Results The study findings show that in general older migrants experience aging more positively than commonly assumed. Nevertheless, some negative aspects of aging were also mentioned. These together with fears about the future underpin participants’ perceptions about aging well. Key aspects of successful aging include remaining healthy, independent, and engaged. Differences between and within groups exist in the meaning given to these concepts and the extent to which other specific aging-related wishes were mentioned. These differences are rooted in participants’ experiences of the migration event, employment history, and their current socioeconomic conditions. Discussion and Implications We conclude that the life course perspective is essential in understanding migrants’ aging process and their views on successful aging, and suggest that policies and interventions which promote disease prevention and tackle social exclusion will be beneficial for older adults with a migration background.

scholarly journals The association between metabolic syndrome and successful aging- using an extended definition of successful aging

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. e0260550
Author(s):  
Yi-Hsuan Lin ◽  
Jeng-Min Chiou ◽  
Ta-Fu Chen ◽  
Liang-Chuan Lai ◽  
Jen-Hau Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Time Interaction ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Objectives To examine the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and successful aging among community-dwelling older adults. Methods Adults aged ≥ 65 years who participated in the senior health checkup program at National Taiwan University Hospital during 2011–2013 were recruited (N = 467 at baseline). The participants were followed after 4 years and 6 years. MetS was assessed at baseline. Successful aging was evaluated at baseline, 4-year follow-up, and 6-year follow-up. We adopted an extended definition of successful aging, which was defined as three major domains: physiological, psychological, and sociological and economic domains. Generalized linear mixed models were used to assess the association between MetS and successful aging adjusting for time (follow-up years), age, sex, years of education, alcohol consumption and MetS×time interaction term. Results The mean age of the study population was 72.9 (SD 5.5) years. The absence of baseline MetS had a positive effect on the probability of successful aging over six years. The absences of abdominal obesity, hyperglycemia, reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and hypertension were associated with the physiological successful aging. The absence of hypertension was the most significant predictor of physiological successful aging [aOR (95% CI) = 2.76 (1.67–4.58), p<0.001]. Significant increased trend was found in the overall and physiological successful aging across MetS status (No MetS, pre MetS, MetS; Ptrend <0.001). Conclusions We found that MetS is a risk factor of successful aging among community-dwelling older adults. Public health policy should aim at avoidance of MetS in order to facilitate successful aging in older population.

scholarly journals “WITH AGE COMES WISDOM:” A QUALITATIVE REVIEW OF ELDER PERSPECTIVES ON HEALTHY AGING IN THE CIRCUMPOLAR NORTH

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S838-S839 ◽  
Author(s):  
Britteny M Howell ◽  
Jennifer R Peterson
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Complex Concept ◽  
Cultural Research ◽  
Circumpolar North ◽  
Psychosocial Resilience ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Cross-cultural research has shown marked variation in health outcomes across the world’s older adult populations. Indeed, older adults in the Circumpolar North experience a variety of health disparities. Because aging is a biological process rooted in sociocultural context, there exists great variation in the ways older adults define and experience healthy, or “successful,” aging in their communities. The aim of this analysis was to synthesize qualitative research among older residents (aged 50+ years) in the Circumpolar North to identify a definition of healthy aging common in the region. A thorough review was conducted across a variety of academic search databases for peer-reviewed, qualitative studies conducted among community-dwelling older adults. The search strategy initially identified 194 articles; 23 articles met the inclusion criteria. Included studies were coded and analyzed using Grounded Theory to examine underlying themes of healthy aging in the Circumpolar North. The findings reveal the importance older adults place on respect, their relationship to the land, and psychosocial resilience into multidimensional models of healthy aging. We present a complex concept map demonstrating how healthy aging perspectives fit together into a multidimensional model of health in the Circumpolar North. This research also highlights the need for increased translational research with populations in the Circumpolar North that are under-represented in the literature.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Successful Aging in the Elderly in Western Mexico

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elva Dolores Arias-Merino ◽  
Neyda Ma. Mendoza-Ruvalcaba ◽  
Martha Judith Arias-Merino ◽  
Jazmín Cueva-Contreras ◽  
Carlos Vazquez Arias
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Marital Status ◽  
Sex Education ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Western Mexico ◽  
Aging Men ◽  
Aging Study ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Aging People

Objectives. The aim of this paper is to estimate the prevalence of successful aging in the elderly in Western Mexico and to analyze its variability by age, sex, education, marital status, and pension.Methods. This study employs data from the Health, Wellbeing, and Aging Study (SABE) in Jalisco and Colima, Mexico. Successful aging was operationalized in accordance with no important disease, no disability, physical functioning, cognitive functioning, and being actively. There were a total of 3116 elderly.Results. 12.6% of older adults were “successful” aging. The old-old is a lower proportion of successful aging people; it ranges from 18.9% among people aged 60–69 years to 3.9% in the 80–89 years and up to 1% in people 90 and older. There were also differences according to sex(P=.000), with a higher proportion of successful aging men (18.4% compared with 9.2% of women). There were differences in educational level(P=.000); those higher with education were found to be more successful aging, and also there were differences in marital status for married people(P=.000).Discussion. A small number of older adults meet the criteria definition of successful aging, suggesting the need to analyze in depth the concept and the indicators.

scholarly journals Increased Glucose Activity in Subgenual Anterior Cingulate and Hippocampus of High Performing Older Adults, Despite Amyloid Burden

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Wyllians Vendramini Borelli ◽  
Eduardo Leal-Conceição ◽  
Michele Alberton Andrade ◽  
Nathalia Bianchini Esper ◽  
Paula Kopschina Feltes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Anterior Cingulate Cortex ◽  
Cognitive Aging ◽  
Cingulate Cortex ◽  
Amyloid Deposition ◽  
Cognitive Testing ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
High Performing ◽  
Potential Biomarker ◽  
Definition Of

Background: Individuals at 80 years of age or above with exceptional memory are considered SuperAgers (SA), an operationalized definition of successful cognitive aging. SA showed increased thickness and altered functional connectivity in the anterior cingulate cortex as a neurobiological signature. However, their metabolic alterations are yet to be uncovered. Objective: Herein, a metabolic (FDG-PET), amyloid (PIB-PET), and functional (fMRI) analysis of SA were conducted. Methods: Ten SA, ten age-matched older adults (C80), and ten cognitively normal middle-aged (C50) adults underwent cognitive testing and multimodal neuroimaging examinations. Anterior and posterior regions of the cingulate cortex and hippocampal areas were primarily examined, then subregions of anterior cingulate were segregated. Results: The SA group showed increased metabolic activity in the left and right subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sACC, p <  0.005 corrected, bilateral) and bilateral hippocampi (right: p <  0.0005 and left: p <  0.005, both corrected) as compared to that in the C80 group. Amyloid deposition was above threshold in 30% of SA and C80 (p >  0.05). The SA group also presented decreased connectivity between right sACC and posterior cingulate (p <  0.005, corrected) as compared to that of the C80 group. Conclusion: These results support the key role of sACC and hippocampus in SA, even in the presence of amyloid deposition. It also suggests that sACC may be used as a potential biomarker in older adults for exceptional memory ability. Further longitudinal studies measuring metabolic biomarkers may help elucidate the interaction between these areas in the cognitive aging process.

scholarly journals Meaning of Aging, Gerotranscendence, and Successful Aging in Older Adults With Chronic Health Conditions

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 423-423
Author(s):  
Meredith Troutman-Jordan
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Functional Health ◽  
Major Influence ◽  
Unexpected Death ◽  
Major Life ◽  
Problem Solving Skills

Abstract Aging presents change in the form of opportunities and challenges, from common physical alterations, to major life events. Perception of such events is greatly shaped by one’s mental health, and is a major influence on gerotranscendence, a positive kind of aging involving redefinition of self, relationships, and proposed to be a precursor to successful aging. A mixed-methods cross-sectional descriptive design was used to study 50 older adults. Life Events Checklist, Gerotranscendence Scale, Herth Hope Index, and Successful Aging Inventory were administered. Mean participant age was 70.78 years; there were 9 males (18%), 41 females (82%), 13 were Black (26%), and 37 were White (74%). Participants reported a number of stressful events, most frequently transportation accidents, followed by other very stressful events or experiences, and sudden unexpected death of someone close. Gerotranscendence scores ranged from 0-10 (µ 6.88, a moderate score). Successful aging scores ranged from 40-79 (µ 62.33, a moderate score). A sub-sample of 6 participants engaged in semi-structured interviews, which were transcribed verbatim and subject to content analysis. Faith, displaced longing, temporal anticipation, proactive problem-solving/coping, and concern for future generations were emergent qualitative themes. Findings highlight opportunities for providers from multiple disciplines to target risks and possibilities for aging successfully and to promote hope, optimism, problem-solving skills, and gerotranscendence in all older adults, regardless of physical or functional health status.

Toward a conceptual model for successful transgender aging

2021 ◽  
pp. 147332502199466
Author(s):  
Steffany Sloan ◽  
Jacquelyn J Benson
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
The Body ◽  
Aging Research ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Resilience Factors

Transgender older adults have been subject to life-long stigma and marginalization, resulting in significant social and health consequences. Despite these challenges, this population commonly reports thriving in later life. In order to attend to nuanced experiences of older transgender adults, theoretical models of successful aging must reflect complexities presented by gender minority status. In order to address theoretical gaps, a systematic qualitative meta-synthesis was conducted to summarize findings across the body of qualitative transgender aging research. Findings indicated that transgender older adults conceptualize successful aging through the process of embracing gender identity. Themes were identified to conceptualize successful transgender aging such as gender expression, shedding internalized stigma, and championing a resilience mindset. Implications for social work practice are provided, suggesting a more comprehensive understanding of both challenges and resilience factors amongst the aging transgender population.

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