Positive Aging Experiences in Later Life

Positive Aging By Richard Shank

Commonplace descriptions of aging typically involve negative images, conditions, or events. These negative conceptions can stigmatize older adults and create a self-fulfilling prophecy that increases their risk of chronic illness and disability. To counteract the negative impact, researchers have begun focusing on the positive elements that support healthy aging over the life course.

Rather than viewing the later years of life as one of potential loss of function, it is more productive to view them as one of growth: a period where older adults can learn to adapt to new roles and discover creative ways to express themselves in response to their changing social, physical, and interpersonal lives. When older adults enter their post-retirement years, they have the advantage of being able to utilize the skills and knowledge they developed during adulthood. They can use these tools to improve their relationships and maintain psychological health by engaging in high-level introspection about personal, social, and family issues.

Older adults also have the advantage of having the time to remain engaged in the social life around them. Currently, it is estimated that older adults will disengage from their social world and their health will then depend upon how they cope with less frequent interaction with friends and family. However, a more positive expectation of sustained social engagement can lead to greater health and longevity. Setting goals to remain social and helpful to others at an advancing age promotes wellness by keeping older adults physically active and mentally engaged.

Creating an active lifestyle at an advanced age requires older adults to see their lives as a valuable resource that should not be wasted by passively avoiding physical challenges and social opportunities. Even older adults with physical limitations can find activities and social events that suit their needs and challenge them to remain engaged.

Too often, older adults tell themselves and others that they are incapable. The feeling of helplessness that some older adults express often develops as a psychological defense of their changing physical abilities. This "learned helplessness" may create a self-fulfilling cycle that speeds up physical and cognitive decline. These older adults may prematurely convince themselves and their loved ones that they are incapable of certain activities. Opportunities to identify and promote the activities that older adults are capable of performing and can be successful at should not be ignored. These opportunities range from very mundane choices about everyday life to big family planning moments concerning holidays, celebrations, or even vacations.

Promoting a positive view of aging for older adults can benefit both the family and professional caregiving relationships that help shape the aging experience. Promoting social engagement to older adults will help them stay active within their family and friend support circles and even has the ability to enhance the important emotional connection that develops during caregiving episodes.

In short, recasting aging in positive terms can help prevent the well-known pitfalls of defining the aging process as an increased frequency of lost ability, relationships, and autonomy. By focusing on remaining engaged socially, mentally, and physically, older adults can promote their own health and well-being, even in the mundane moments of everyday life.

Source: Jill Duba Ondera and Fred Stickle. 2008. Healthy Aging in Later Life. The Family Journal 16:73-77.

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