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Successful aging in the oldest old: Who can be characterized as successfully aged?
M von Faber1, A Bootsma-van der Wiel, E van Exel
1Section of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Department of General Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands. leiden85plus@lumc.nl
Archives of Internal Medicine
|December 26, 2001
Summary
Successful aging is often viewed as a state of optimal functioning, but older adults perceive it as an adaptive process. This study highlights that viewing successful aging as adaptation includes more individuals.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Psychology
Background:
- Defining successful aging is crucial globally, yet indicators remain unclear.
- This study investigates successful aging from both public health and individual perspectives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the definition and indicators of successful aging.
- To compare a public health definition with elderly individuals' perspectives.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from the Leiden 85-plus Study (n=599).
- Quantitative assessment of physical, social, and psychocognitive functioning, and well-being.
- Qualitative interviews with a subset of participants (n=27) to capture their perspectives.
Main Results:
- Only 10% met the public health criteria for successful aging (optimal functioning and well-being).
- 45% had optimal well-being, but only 13% had optimal overall functioning.
- Qualitative data revealed most elderly individuals view successful aging as adaptation, valuing well-being and social connection.
Conclusions:
- A strict definition of successful aging as an optimal state yields few eligible individuals.
- Adopting an adaptive process perspective significantly broadens the scope of successful aging.
- Future research and public health initiatives should consider the process-oriented, subjective view of aging.
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