Older Women's Perceptions of Successful Aging

ABSTRACT

Little is known about the ways in which older adults view or define successful aging. This qualitative study, therefore, examined older women's perceptions of the characteristics and components of successful aging. Transitions are complex person–environment interactions that include the disruption of the individual's life and their responses to the disruption. Older adults experience many life transitions or changes in life situations, such as relocation or loss of spouse, that result in new life patterns and perhaps even changes in well-being. Because transition is theoretically a time of change that involves introspection and self-examination, older adults who are experiencing transition, such as the study sample, are expected to be able to express their views on successful aging. Acceptance of change, engagement, and comportment emerged as key components of successful aging. Findings from this study can contribute to the development of interventions for older women, in particular, and their families to promote and reinforce personal, social, and behavioral factors that lead to successful aging.     

Frailty,Leisure Activity and Functional Status in Older Adults: Relationship With Subjective Well Being

Older adults generally experience high levels of life satisfaction (e.g., Charles & Carstensen, 2010 Charles, S.T. and Carstensen, L.L. 2010. Social and emotional aspects of aging. Annual Review of Psychology, 61: 383–409. [Crossref], [PubMed], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) and participation in leisure activities may mediate some of their overall well-being. Frailty associated with biological aging may be related to reduced leisure activity engagement and loss of social belonging that may diminish life satisfaction (Charles, 2011). This study examined differences in leisure activity engagement by frailty status, and then tested a model evaluating the link between functional status and subjective well-being in a sample of 95 community-dwelling older adults. Participants completed self-report questionnaires that assessed leisure activity participation, life satisfaction, frailty, and mood. Leisure activities were coded as either social (e.g., taking classes) or solitary (e.g., reading) and summed across to create two composite scores. Results indicated there was a strong relationship between functional status and subjective well-being in older adults. High frailty and low social leisure engagement was associated with reduced subjective well-being. Implications for future research and clinical applications are discussed.     

Intergenerational Programs to Promote Active Aging: The Experiences and Perspectives of Older Adults

Intergenerational programs are reported as one type of social activity that may promote active aging among older adults. Survey methodology using open and closed-ended questions examined the extent to which participation in an intergenerational program enhanced the perceived health and well-being of older adults (N = 70). Older adults reported that their participation in the “Time after Time” intergenerational program enhanced their confidence, self-esteem, and social skills, contributed to their emotional and overall health and well-being, and enabled them to learn about others and feel connected to their community. The study supports the promotion of intergenerational programs as an option for older adults to actively age. Implications for practice are provided.     

Brain Health Knowledge in Assisted Living: Establishing Baseline Information for Interventions to Promote Adaptation and Successful Aging

Aging and its effects on a person’s quality of life are a growing concern for older adult Americans and their caregivers. Recent studies have shown links between certain lifestyle behaviors and lessened cognitive decline; however, there is insufficient information about how much actual knowledge the older adult population has with regard to maintaining maximum brain health as they age. This lack of information is even more profound when it comes to those older adults residing in assisted living communities. Little research evidence exists exploring how assisted living residents view brain health and what relationship exists between their brain health knowledge and other variables. This study examined brain health knowledge among residents of assisted living communities (ALCs) in North Carolina. Findings revealed significantly higher brain health knowledge in Whites compared to Blacks. Implications for practice indicate a need for providers to be aware of gaps in brain health knowledge of older Black Americans in ALCs and provide information accordingly.     

A Comparison of Self-Rated and Objectively Measured Successful Aging Constructs in an Urban Sample of African American Older Adults

Sixty-seven (N = 67) urban African American older adults were divided into successful and nonsuccessful aging groups based on objective MacArthur (i.e., physical and cognitive functioning) and on self-rated health criteria. Only 30% of the sample met objective MacArthur criteria for successful aging compared to 63% who rated themselves as successful. Self-rated successful aging was best predicted by regular exercise, whereas objective successful aging was best predicted by demographic characteristics and cognition. Reading ability mediated the relationship between both education and cognition to objectively defined success. Finally, objective successful aging was related to quantity and quality of education, whereas self-rated successful aging was related to a wider variety of variables. Defining successful aging on objective factors alone may limit our understanding of successful aging in urban African American older adults.     

Types of Learning Activities and Life Satisfaction among Older Adults in Urban Community-Based Lifelong Learning Programs

Education, lifelong learning activities, and well-being are positively associated. However, significantly less is known about types of learning activities such as participation in organized adult education programs and self-learning among older adults in the same context. Data from 420 older adults from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) were analyzed. Results showed that additional participation in organized education programs was positively associated with life satisfaction among OLLI members. Given the beneficial effects of additional participation in organized adult education programs on life satisfaction, older learners are encouraged to be engaged in more learning activities.     

Serious Leisure: A Case Study of Model Railroading in Relation to Successful Aging

We examined longstanding model railroading as serious leisure in relation to successful aging in two older men. We used case study qualitative procedures to collect and analyze interview and observational data. Four themes emerged from the cross-case analyses: (a) distinct occupational profiles, (b) MRR as serious leisure, (c) MRR within activity-filled lives, (d) demonstrations of successful aging. For these two men railroading was a serious leisure activity that added to their engagement with life and fostered their overall successful aging by promoting well-being and function. Their model railroading was serious leisure that included fulfillment and accomplishment, as well as ongoing knowledge and skill development.     

Recruitment and Retention of Older Adults in Aging Research

Older adults continue to be underrepresented in clinical research despite their burgeoning population in the United States and worldwide. Physicians often propose treatment plans for older adults based on data from studies involving primarily younger, more‐functional, healthier participants. Major barriers to recruitment of older adults in aging research relate to their substantial health problems, social and cultural barriers, and potentially impaired capacity to provide informed consent. Institutionalized older adults offer another layer of complexity that requires cooperation from the institutions to participate in research activities. This paper provides study recruitment and retention techniques and strategies to address concerns and overcome barriers to older adult participation in clinical research. Key approaches include early in‐depth planning; minimizing exclusion criteria; securing cooperation from all interested parties; using advisory boards, timely screening, identification, and approach of eligible patients; carefully reviewing the benefit:risk ratio to be sure it is appropriate; and employing strategies to ensure successful retention across the continuum of care. Targeting specific strategies to the condition, site, and population of interest and anticipating potential problems and promptly employing predeveloped contingency plans are keys to effective recruitment and retention.     

Financial Capacity in Older Adults: A Review of Clinical Assessment Approaches and Considerations

Financial capacity is a critical issue of autonomy for older people. However, determining the point at which a cognitively impaired older adult is no longer capable of independent financial management poses an onerous task for family members, and health and legal professionals. At present, there is no agreed-upon standard for evaluating financial capacity, and issues pertaining to the level of impairment that constitutes incapacity remain largely unresolved. In the absence of validated assessment guidelines, determinations of capacity are frequently based on neuropsychological measures and clinical judgment, although there is limited evidence to support the validity of these methods in capacity determinations. In this paper, various cognitive, psychiatric, social, and cultural factors that potentially contribute to financial incapacity in older adults are described. The strengths and weaknesses of clinical approaches and instruments currently used in capacity determinations are evaluated, and specific recommendations are made regarding broader assessment approaches. Finally, directions for future research and instrument development are offered.     

The Impact of Health Education and Health Promotion on Management of Chronic Health Conditions in Older Adults: Opportunities for Innovation

This article provides an overview and describes major health issues affecting older adults, coupled with potential education and health promotion interventions that the nurse practicing in a community setting might implement. Emphasis is placed on partnering with older adults and better equipping them to be actively involved in their own health care. Easily accessible, free screening, assessment, and educational resources are identified. By enhancing older adults’ knowledge and sharing acceptable, desirable, and realistic intervention options with them, nurses can help empower older adults to have greater confidence in their ability to manage their health.