What if as a society, we were better at acknowledging and celebrating the remarkable acts of resiliency and problem-solving that many older people are working their way through? What if older people felt more comfortable getting help when it becomes necessary? What if we were better at providing it? And what could we collectively do to help more older adults feel successful? The result is that people will understand the likelihood of successful aging to be about lifestyle choices rather than as affected by supports, larger social structures, or public policies.
We must find ways to make it easier for aging adults to get the support they need, both to proactively prepare for late-life stressors and to help them adapt when they occur. To that end, we are preparing to move to a CCRC continuing care retirement community years before most people do the average entrant is over Interesting that your family is the one pushing back!
Sounds like more conversations will be needed. Good luck! And I would add that to be able to accomplish this one must learn to be flexible! Too many people become increasingly unable to try new things or consider a variety of options as they age. Its a fear of the unknown. So it is important for others to provide support and council to help those of us facing these unknown events. I think the challenge for those around an older person is figuring out how to encourage them to consider changes without being too pushy.
It certainly helps if everyone is able to take time, rather than having to rush in response to a crisis. I enjoy your articles a lot. It is too difficult to go back later and try to find the articles, and my posts to see if there are replies, etc. Agree that this is a real flaw of the current commenting system. When I can spare the time and funds we will probably move the site to a new and improved platform and then the commenting features will be improved…just not sure when that will be.
I found myself alone after an unexpected divorce at age 60; I moved back to my native state from CA and bought a single story house. My 3 adult children live scattered all across the US. Live life to the fullest every day as each is a blessing.
Great article! He does have a house cleaner and gardener and we will will add help as needed. Diane, that is awesome! Wow, I can only imagine living that long. Thank you for sharing. What a wonderful story, thank you for sharing. I know times have changed, but I think it was good for all when families kept together like that.
One grandma told me, as she sat there and hooked rugs, about how she met Abraham Lincoln when she was a girl. Very interesting! Those people aged gracefully as other family members were there for them.
My grandpa lived with his sons until he died at When you are feeling ill and take advantage of preventative health measures, such as a yearly check-up, flu shot, and age-appropriate exams. Stay Active Exercise is essential for maintaining good health and can be incorporated into your lifestyle regardless of your physical abilities. Chair exercises, for example, are a great way for those with limited mobility to be active. Utilize your gym, a trainer, a physical therapist, or a friend to help.
Make Healthy Food Choices Proper nutrition plays a huge role in successful aging. Try meal planning, meal service, or speaking to a nutritionist for help making the right choices.
Get Enough Sleep At least hours a night is recommended and can reduce your risk for several health issues. Taking medications, getting physical therapy or doing an activity such as yoga are all possible solutions.
Mental Well-Being Your mental health is closely connected to both your physical health and your social life. How you view your situation, the aging process, and life overall can have a significant impact on you. Studies have shown that adults continue to grow new brain cells throughout life, not lose them with age, as previously thought. This means that it is possible to delay cognitive decline.
Consider these tips for keeping your mind in tip-top shape:. Anything that promotes mental stimulation, such as reading, puzzles, problem-solving games, and learning a new hobby are all ways to exercise the brain.
Work Part-Time or Volunteer This will keep the mind engaged with the outside world as well as utilize your skillset. A study at Duke University found that work defined as any useful activity satisfaction was one of the best predictors of longevity. Invest in a Memory-Training App This will keep you connected to technology, which is ever-changing and helps the brain continue to adapt, as well as sharpen your memory.
Engage in Spiritual Activities Your spirituality is a major part of who you are as a person. Using extraordinary or exceptional would perhaps be more accurate and less of a value judgment.
These latter dimensions are addressed in proactivity-based models such as those proposed by Kahana and Kahana , Given the brief history, some of the questions for the next generations of gerontologists interested in providing more parsimonious understanding of successful aging are as follows: a What are the minimal definitions needed to describe successful aging? Where is successful dying in the discourse on successful aging?
To the extent that successful aging inevitably is followed by death, it behooves us to consider perspectives on success in achieving a good death. Thus far, there have been few if any linkages between a good old age and a good death. The literature on advance care planning primarily offers nursing and medical perspectives, and few psychologists and gerontologists have addressed this issue from a broader perspective, beyond planning for end of life care.
The authors concluded that the way in which patients die and the role of palliative care will remain issues of much debate. These critical issues should be an integral piece of the successful aging conversation. The successful aging literature also lacks much interface with the literature on disability.
Although it is increasingly acknowledged that successful aging may be possible even for those with chronic and disabling illness Phelan et al. Our final illustration relates to the need to glance into the future of successful aging in light of rapid social changes propelled by technology and globalization.
Future generations of older adults are likely to benefit from major advances in biomedical research, including stem cell research. Will the face of successful aging be very different for healthier and networked elders of the future, who can age in place with the help of mechanical and virtual intelligences, social media, and other technology? Definitions of successful aging have stimulated research on physical and psychosocial aging over the past 50 years. This is an important accomplishment.
The focus on this and similar terms has also provided a background for studying positive aging. Hopefully, the next decades of research on successful aging will further refine definitions of this very important gerontological concept and provide relevant applications. The authors appreciate the thoughtful feedback and comments by Dale Dannefer, Christine Fry, Nancy Kropf, Rachel Pruchno, May Wykle, and two anonymous reviewers on earlier versions of this paper. The authors report no conflict of interest and declare no financial interest.
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Staying physically active to delay old age or simply to be able to maintain a social or professional life. Having a "good" death , ideally in the comfort of your own home, surrounded by family members.
You may have a different perspective on "successful aging", whether you are an older adult, a caregiver, or a family member contemplating the later stage of life. It is never too early to plan ahead and have conversations about your values, wishes and beliefs related to aging. Your definition of successful aging must include elements that matter to you. Blog Post: 3 research-based benefits to being involved in conversations about your health.
Blog Post: Planning for the future: The concerns among older parents of adult children with intellectual disabilities. Blog Post: Still here! The latest scientific evidence on this topic was reviewed by the Social Systems Evidence team. This Blog Post was written by a professional writer, assessed for accuracy by Dr. There are no conflicts of interest. Definitions of successful ageing: A brief review of a multidimensional concept.
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