How Do Older Adults Define Successful Aging? A Scoping Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 91 (4) ◽  
pp. 599-625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbra Teater ◽  
Jill M. Chonody
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Aging Process ◽  
Theory Development ◽  
Good Death ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
And Behaviors

Successful aging is a prominent theory that describes the aging process and the expected activities and behaviors older adults should engage in or exhibit to age successfully. Although this theory is used to gauge the extent to which older adults are aging successfully, older adults’ experiences and perspectives of what successful aging means to them are missing from the theory. A five-step scoping review framework was used to explore and synthesize the existing research that investigated older adults’ perspectives on successful aging. Twelve main themes were found and ranged from the importance of social relationships and interactions to having a good death. Findings indicated older adults do not define successful aging as strictly as is found in the literature. Old age and the aging process from the views of older adults provide future directions for theory development and research.

scholarly journals SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT IN OLD AGE: IMPACTS OF AGING UNDER INTERPERSONAL, MORAL, AND POLITICAL CONTEXTS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S785-S785
Author(s):  
Minjie Lu ◽  
Xin Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Public Affairs ◽  
Interpersonal Interaction ◽  
Moral Issues ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Unfamiliar Faces

Abstract To promote successful aging, social engagement has been encouraged among older adults. Yet, thus far, research on older adults’ social engagement have been preoccupied with the close and intimate relationships between older adults and their families, friends, or caretakers. Little attention is being paid to how older adults may engage in peripheral social networks, civic activities, or public affairs. This symposium features four presentations that investigate older adults’ social engagement in these contexts. First, with the focus on interpersonal interaction with strangers, Yi Lu and colleagues examine the age differences in trustworthiness perception of unfamiliar faces. The second and third presentations focus on moral and political contexts. Minjie Lu will present the divergent impacts of age on the cognitive evaluations and emotional responses towards moral issues. Wong and Fung analyze older adults’ engagements in political discussions and actions and the factors that may promote these engagements. Last but not least, Nicole Fung and colleagues will present findings that generativity among older adults can promote sense of meanings and death acceptance, demonstrating the beneficial effects of social engagement in old age. Finally, Zhang will provide closing discussions about the implications and future directions of these presentations.

The ‘loneliness pandemic’: implications for gerontological nursing

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (11) ◽  
pp. 652-655
Author(s):  
Carlos Laranjeira
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Gerontological Nursing

The COVID-19 pandemic compelled states to limit free movement, in order to protect at-risk and more vulnerable groups, particularly older adults. Due to old age or debilitating chronic diseases, this group is also more vulnerable to loneliness (perceived discrepancy between actual and desired social relationships) and social isolation (feeling that one does not belong to society). This forced isolation has negative consequences for the health of older people, particularly their mental health. This is an especially challenging time for gerontological nursing, but it is also an opportunity for professionals to combat age stereotypes reinforced with COVID-19, to urge the measurement of loneliness and social isolation, and to rethink how to further adjust interventions in times of crisis, such as considering technology-mediated interventions in these uncertain times.

scholarly journals UNIMAGINED FUTURES: THE PARADOX OF FAMILISM AND ELDERCARE AMONG AGING LATINOS IN THE CHICAGOLAND AREA

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S715-S715
Author(s):  
Melissa Howe ◽  
Alexis Howard ◽  
Wendy Hsieh ◽  
Lissette M Piedra
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Older Adulthood ◽  
Nativity Status ◽  
North Americans ◽  
Physical Independence ◽  
Latino Older Adults

Abstract Scholars of gerontology highlight the ways aging varies cross-culturally. Whereas North Americans tend to describe “successful aging” as the maintenance of social and physical independence, Latin Americans tend to view aging as a natural process of social transition. In this study, we conducted a content analysis of nine focus groups (N =101) and 20 interviews with Latino older adults in the Chicagoland area to examine how they characterize successful aging and view the health declines that accompany aging. We found that Latino older adults often used rhetoric associated with “successful aging,” which tended to emphasize the maintenance of independence and physical functioning. Even immigrant respondents employed this language, suggesting that descriptions of “good old age,” may be more culturally transferable than previously thought. At the same time, the cultural values of respeto and familismo also emerged. Regardless of the participant’s nativity status, centrality of family and the importance of respect represented constant sources of support. Still, adherence to these values came with considerable drawbacks for those intensely focused on self-sacrifice for the sake of their families. Taken together, “successful old age” was defined by the participants as one in which a person maintains physical independence in the context of an interdependent, kin-focused, social life. This paradoxical combination of valuing independence and familial interdependence produced a number of benefits and challenges for Latino adults as they transitioned into to older adulthood.

‘Do it Forever’: Discursive representations of older adults and sexualities in vacation marketing

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 264-276
Author(s):  
Bodil Stilling Blichfeldt ◽  
Karina M Smed
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
One Dimensional ◽  
Sexual Identities ◽  
Counter Narratives ◽  
Relevant Case ◽  
Promotional Video ◽  
Discursive Representations

In advertising, sex has been ascribed a major role, but mostly in a one-dimensional, uniform, and ageist manner framing sexuality as the privilege of younger people. This has traditionally strengthened stereotyping discourses of older adults as ‘asexual’. However, in recent years, counter narratives emphasizing sex as an integral part of active, healthy, and successful aging have gained momentum. Using the promotional video ‘Do it Forever’ as a relevant case, this article analyzes representations of older adults’ sexualities in vacation marketing and points to how advertising is not ‘innocent’, but discursively positions older adults’ sexualities within an antiaging culture which positions older adults as ‘sexy olders’ in sharp opposition to the discourse of ‘asexsual old age’, potentially leaving older adults with little room to construct (a)sexual identities in-between the two strong and oppositional discourses.

scholarly journals RESILIENT AGING ROUNDTABLE: AN EVALUATION OF A BRIEF COMMUNITY PSYCHOEDUCATION DISCUSSION GROUP

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S721-S722
Author(s):  
Andrea June ◽  
Meghan Marty
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Pacific Northwest ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Discussion Group ◽  
Clinical Psychologist ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Creating Meaning ◽  
Post Assessment

Abstract Increased aging resilience levels are associated with many positive outcomes for older adults including improved quality of life, increased coping and adaptation, and decreased depressive symptoms (Earvolino-Ramirez, 2007; Fullen & Gorby, 2016; Hicks & Conner, 2014; (Sharpley, Bitsika, Wootten, & Christie, 2014). However, very few resilience promotion programs are described in the literature. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate a brief, community-based psychoeducation group designed to enhance aging resilience. Participants were recruited through a private mental health practice focused on serving older adults in the Pacific Northwest. Nine participants (M age = 71; 78% female, 100% non-Hispanic white; 100% with some college) completed the pre- and post-assessment measures: An adapted 9 item version of the Communicative Ecology Model of Successful Aging (CEMSA; Fowler, Gasiorek, & Giles, 2015) and the Groningen Ageing Resilience Inventory (GARI; van Abbema et al., 2015). The discussion group consisted of six 90-minute meetings every-other-week, facilitated by a licensed clinical psychologist. Each meeting focused on a different topic related to psycho-social aspects of aging and included understanding ageism, embracing change, creating meaning, normal and “successful” aging, and strengthening social ties. Although not statistically significant, initial results showed lower post-assessment mean scores on the CEMSA indicating lower levels of aging uncertainty, negative attributions, and pessimism as well as higher post-assessment mean scores on the GARI indicating higher perceived resilience. Moreover, 77.7 % of the group agreed or strongly agreed that they had learned a lot from the group. Future directions will be discussed.

scholarly journals Hedonic and eudaimonic well-being in old age through positive psychology studies: a scoping review

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lia Araujo ◽  
Oscar Ribeiro ◽  
Constança Paúl
Keyword(s):  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Scientific Papers ◽  
Study Designs

<p>The study of aging through the lens of Positive Psychology allows looking beyond the decline normally associated with advancing of age and to consider rewarding experiences and strategies to promote a meaningful aging. In order to gather evidence on the key conceptual and empirical advancements that illustrate the commitment of Positive Psychology with aging issues a scoping review was conducted. Papers having “Positive Psychology” AND “Aging” (or similar words to aging) on their title, abstract or key-words were screened across main databases and aging related terms were searched in well-known journals of positive psychology. This strategy yielded 48 articles, 33 original scientific papers and 15 reviews. Main themes, study designs and instruments are presented and the endpoints are discussed according to the hedonic or eudaimonic perspective of the studies. Future directions related with the importance of comprehensive constructs and method approaches in the study of advancing age are highlighted.</p>

scholarly journals College students’ in Jamaica opinion about older adults and their role as future caregivers: Case Example

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 757-757
Author(s):  
Sharon McKenzie ◽  
Sandra Latibeaudiere
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Developing Country ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Healthcare Provision ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Negative Image

Abstract Ageing is a natural human experience, yet for many people getting old provoke fears of vulnerability, fragility, undesirability, and incapacity. Such perceptions are often attributed to various taboos, prejudices, discrimination and stereotype associated with old age. The purpose of this study was to assess college students’ in Jamaica opinion about older adults and their role as future caregivers. Specifically, the study sought to: (1) identify whether college students hold ageist stereotype/negative image about older adults and whether they influence future role as caregiver, 2) assess their knowledge of the chronic conditions that affect older adults, and 3) assess whether they see themselves working or taking an active role in future caregiving. As we think about the future directions of healthcare provision for older adults, this small sample of college students provided a discourse about ageing and key elements that are important for educators in a developing country such as Jamaica to consider when building a gerontology curriculum.

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