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Description and cohort characterization of the Longevity Study: learning from our elders
Kathleen O'Connor1, David W Coon2, Michael Malek-Ahmadi3
1Center for Healthy Aging, Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, AZ, USA.
Aging Clinical and Experimental Research
|November 18, 2015
Summary
The Longevity Study tracks healthy aging in Arizona, focusing on individuals over 85. It examines how exceptional aging impacts psychosocial, cognitive, and physical functioning in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Healthy Aging Research
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- The Longevity Study: Learning From Our Elders initiated in 2007 at Banner Sun Health Research Institute.
- Focuses on understanding healthy aging processes across a wide age spectrum.
Purpose of the Study:
- Describe the Longevity Study's methodology, progress, and future research directions.
- Analyze the psychosocial, cognitive, and physical functioning of exceptional aging individuals, particularly those 85 and older.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal registry of participants aged 50-110 years.
- Data collection through in-person interviews covering sociodemographic, medical, cognitive, physical, and psychosocial variables.
- Majority of participants reside in Sun City retirement communities, Arizona.
Main Results:
- As of June 2015, 1139 participants completed baseline assessments.
- Over 830 active participants, including 450 individuals aged 80+, 188 aged 90+, and 27 centenarians.
- Data collection ongoing since study inception in 2007.
Conclusions:
- The study provides valuable insights into the characteristics of healthy aging.
- Highlights the functioning of exceptionally old individuals across multiple domains.
- Informs future research on longevity and age-related changes.
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