Correlates of functional capacity among centenarians

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Longevity Research
• Psychology of Aging

Background:

• Understanding factors influencing functional capacity is crucial for promoting healthy aging in centenarians.
• The Georgia Centenarian Study provides a unique dataset for investigating predictors of function in extreme old age.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify correlates of functional capacity in centenarians and near-centenarians (98+ years).
• To explore demographic, psychological, social, and lifestyle factors associated with higher functional capacity.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study of 234 centenarians and near-centenarians.
• Data collected from proxy informants across six domains: demographics/health, affect, personality, social support, life events/coping, and distal influences.
• Domain-specific multiple regression analyses were employed.

Main Results:

• Younger centenarians, community-dwelling individuals, and those in better health exhibited higher functional capacity.
• Positive affect, conscientiousness, social provisions, religious coping, and an engaged lifestyle were positively associated with functional capacity.
• Age remained a correlate of functional capacity even after 100 years.

Conclusions:

• Functional capacity in extreme old age is associated with age, health status, and living situation.
• Psychological factors (positive affect) and lifestyle elements (engaged lifestyle) are significant predictors of adaptation in centenarians.
• Proxy-reported data highlight the importance of positive psychological states and past behaviors for maintaining function in very late life.