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Social resources and longevity: findings from the Georgia centenarian study
G Kevin Randall1, Peter Martin, Maurice McDonald
1Family and Consumer Sciences, Bradley University, Peoria, Ill 61625, USA. krandall @ bradley.edu
Gerontology
|January 30, 2010
Summary
Social resources are vital for centenarians adapting to aging. Specific social network measures, not general ones, significantly reduce nursing home residency odds in the oldest old.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Sociology of Aging
- Cognitive Health in Older Adults
Background:
- The increasing proportion of adults aged 85 and older necessitates research into adaptive resources for aging.
- Understanding the social resources of centenarians is crucial for supporting healthy aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the social resources of cognitively intact centenarians in the Georgia Centenarian Study.
- To examine the association between social resources and residence status (home, personal care, nursing home).
Main Methods:
- Assessed two social resource measures in centenarians across different living situations.
- Employed logistic regression to identify predictors of nursing home residence.
Main Results:
- Social resource levels differed between centenarians and octogenarians, and across living situations.
- Findings varied based on self- versus proxy reports.
- One social resource measure significantly predicted reduced odds of nursing home residence, even after controlling for covariates.
Conclusions:
- Social resources are fundamental adaptive resources for centenarians.
- Differences in social resources exist between age groups, living situations, and informant types.
- Future research should differentiate between the oldest old and centenarians, considering measurement and reporting variations.
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