Considerable research has been done that describes how older adults perceive successful aging; however, the diverse views of older adults worldwide have never been put together in a comparative framework.
Researchers from South America, the Caribbean, and Europe published results of a survey that outline the diverse views that older adults have about successful aging worldwide in seven countries in Latin America and Europe.
A 20-item questionnaire was sent to nearly 1,200 older adult residents in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico, Spain, Greece, Portugal, and Uruguay. The sample was split roughly between European and Latin American respondents.
The findings suggest that European and Latin American older adults have similar conceptions of what it means to age well. Regardless of age, country, or world region, respondents believe remaining in good health until death, being able to take care of oneself, having family and friends there for them, and feeling good about oneself are the most important aspects of successful aging. Interestingly, the least important factors in aging was living a very long time and being able to work after retirement.
Service providers focusing on older adults should consider these desires as they plan for services, because keeping older adults engaged in their communities, healthy, and connected with friends and families will define whether or not they live quality lives into old age.
Source; Fernandez-Ballesteros, R., Garcia, L. Abarca, d. et al. 2010. The concept of ‘ageing well’ in ten Latin American and European countries. Ageing and Society 30, 41-56.
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I think that rhe most important thing is to live a meaningfull life.
Robert, I think part of the article that I couldn’t express in such a short space was that the “meaningful life” aspect was something the researchers seemed to assume they were measuring by asking about friends and family, feeling good about oneself, etc. I could have easily summed it all up with your sentiments exactly.
Thanks for the comment!