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Successful aging
About: Successful aging is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 2958 publications have been published within this topic receiving 106374 citations.
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17 Feb 1998
TL;DR: The authors of as discussed by the authors stated that much of the decline associated with old age has more to do with lifestyle than aging, and that social interaction is a powerful safeguard of emotional well-being.
Abstract: Much of the decline associated with old age has more to do with lifestyle than aging. The old adage that says "you lose it if you don't use it" is true. In order to maintain and promote cognitive wellness, Carol Miller, a gerontologist, in her book "Wellness In Older Adults" states that engaging in new learning experiences, participating in challenging leisure activities, and preserving and continuing social relationships with friends and family members is imperative to total wellness. Dr. Andrew Weil in his book "Spontaneous Healing" states, "We humans are social animals. Reach out to others. Make social interaction a priority. It is a powerful safeguard of emotional well-being."
4,531 citations
01 Nov 1990
TL;DR: Baltes et al. as discussed by the authors presented a psychological model for the study of successful aging that, they contend, is consistent with the propositional framework, based on the premise that successful individual development (including aging) is a process involving three components: selection, optimization, and compensation.
Abstract: The purpose of this chapter is twofold. First, we review research on the nature of psychological aging in terms of seven propositions. Second, we present a psychological model for the study of successful aging that, we contend, is consistent with the propositional framework. The approach advanced is based on the premise that successful, individual development (including aging) is a process involving three components: selection, optimization, and compensation. How these components of adaption are realized depends on the specific personal and societal circumstances individuals face and produce as they age. Introduction Two scientific concepts have had a major impact on our thinking about successful aging: interindividual variability and intraindividual plasticity (M. Baltes & P. Baltes, 1982; P. Baltes & M. Baltes, 1980; P. Baltes & Schaie, 1976). Reflection on the theoretical and policy-related implications of both concepts has suggested to us that there is much opportunity for the continual optimization of human development (see also Brim & Kagan, 1980; Labouvie-Vief, 1981; Lerner, 1984). Over the years, we have begun to believe that systematic age-related shifts in the extent of variability and plasticity are cornerstones for a developmental theory of human adaptation. Initial evidence for this perspective is available in our first attempt to formulate an agenda for successful aging (P. Baltes & M. Baltes, 1980). After reviewing research on variability and plasticity, we laid the groundwork for a prototheory of successful aging as an adaptive process involving the components of selection, optimization, and compensation.
3,419 citations
TL;DR: Research on the risks associated with usual aging and strategies to modify them should help elucidate how a transition from usual to successful aging can be facilitated.
Abstract: Research in aging has emphasized average age-related losses and neglected the substantial heterogeneity of older persons. The effects of the aging process itself have been exaggerated, and the modifying effects of diet, exercise, personal habits, and psychosocial factors underestimated. Within the category of normal aging, a distinction can be made between usual aging, in which extrinsic factors heighten the effects of aging alone, and successful aging, in which extrinsic factors play a neutral or positive role. Research on the risks associated with usual aging and strategies to modify them should help elucidate how a transition from usual to successful aging can be facilitated.
2,809 citations
01 Jan 1990
TL;DR: In this article, the Bonn longitudinal study of aging: coping, life adjustment, and life satisfaction is presented, as well as risk and protective factors in the transition to young adulthood.
Abstract: Foreword Preface 1. Psychological perspectives on successful aging: the model of selective optimization with compensation 2. Medical perspectives upon successful aging 3. Successful aging in a post-retired society 4. The optimization of cognitive functioning in old age: predictions based on cohort-sequential and longitudinal data 5. The optimization of episodic remembering in old age 6. Peak performance and age: an examination of peak performance in sports 7. Personal control over development and quality of life perspectives in adulthood 8. Successful mastery of bereavement and widowhood: a life-course perspective 9. The Bonn longitudinal study of aging: coping, life adjustment, and life satisfaction 10. Risk and protective factors in the transition to young adulthood 11. Avoiding negative life outcomes: evidence from a forty-five year study 12. Developing behavioural genetics and successful aging Name index Subject index.
1,570 citations
TL;DR: An operational definition of allostatic load is presented, along with preliminary evidence of its predictive validity in relation to salient outcomes of aging, to provide the basis for a more comprehensive assessment of major risks in the aging process.
Abstract: Background: Exponential growth in the population of older adults presents clinicians with special concerns about factors affecting risks for declines in cognitive and physical functioning. Objectives: To examine the hypothesis that risks for such declines and for disease outcomes, such as cardiovascular disease, are related to differences inallostatic load, the cumulative physiologic toll exacted on the body over time by efforts to adapt to life experiences. To present an operational definition of allostatic load, along with preliminary evidence of its predictive validity in relation to salient outcomes of aging. Methods: Data from a longitudinal, community-based study of successful aging were used to develop a measure of allostatic load based on 10 parameters reflecting levels of physiologic activity across a range of important regulatory systems. Allostatic load is the sum of the number of parameters for which the subject was rated in the highest-risk quartile. Results: Higher allostatic load scores were associated with poorer cognitive and physical functioning and predicted larger decrements in cognitive and physical functioning as well as being associated with an increased risk for the incidence of cardiovascular disease, independent of sociodemographic and health status risk factors. Conclusions: Findings are consistent with the conceptualization of allostatic load as an index of wear and tear on the body, with elevations in allostatic load predicting an increased risk for a decline in cognitive and physical functioning as well as cardiovascular disease in a cohort of older men and women. From a clinical perspective, the concept of allostatic load may provide the basis for a more comprehensive assessment of major risks in the aging process. Arch Intern Med. 1997;157:2259-2268
1,226 citations