The concept of ‘ageing well’ in ten Latin American and European countries

Abstract

A review of several studies examining the lay concept of successful ageing and related concepts leads to the conclusion that elders from different cultures appear to agree on most of the components identified in the literature. From the research emerges a multidimensional conceptualisation of ‘successful ageing’ that is described on the basis of physical, emotional, cognitive and social domains, and which coincides with most theoretical and empirical definitions. The main goal of the present research is to study similarities and differences between concepts of ‘successful ageing’ in several Latin American and European countries and in two different age groups, and also to examine whether a similar structure of the lay concept can be found across both continents. The results show minor differences at item levels among countries, continents and age groups, and a similar internal structure across them.

Individual and social determinants of self-rated health and well-being in the elderly population of Portugal

“…The results of the current multidimensional analysis are consistent with findings from other studies with more segmented approaches 38 , i.e., that the components of social capital 39 have protective effects on the health of the elderly, especially demonstrating the association between more positive self-rated health status and social participation, volunteering, and cultural activities 40,41,42 , along with the beneficial effects of personal networks and social support 43 . However, in this virtuous relationship one cannot overlook the weight of age-related morbidity and the well-known effects of health and disease-related socioeconomic inequalities on quality of life 44 , or the conditioning of individual options and experiences by life trajectories, which can either facilitate or hinder active aging.…”

“…The results corroborate the main conclusions from studies on aging that identify health status 45 , absence of serious disease-related disabilities, and social ties in the context of professional, civic, recreational, cultural, and other activities away from home (or even within the family) as important predictors of active and successful aging with quality and greater satisfaction with life, protecting against the potential isolation from the transition to old age (65+) and Table 3 Predictors of happiness (hierarchical multiple linear regression by blocks). oldest old age (80+) 11,38 . The results also corroborate the importance of personal networks and the crucial role of social ties and social support (actual or perceived) for overall quality of life among the elderly 38,46,47,48,49 and mostly in situations of less autonomy 6 .…”

“…oldest old age (80+) 11,38 . The results also corroborate the importance of personal networks and the crucial role of social ties and social support (actual or perceived) for overall quality of life among the elderly 38,46,47,48,49 and mostly in situations of less autonomy 6 .…”

Underrecognition of Weight Loss in Community‐Dwelling Elderly Adults

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Second, there is also consensus of the age groups regarding what age well does not mean, that is, living for a very long time. Finally, both age groups share a close multidimensional concept of aging well that is similar to expert definitions: health and independence (1,11,18), positive cognitive functioning (21), positive affect and control (3,7,8,16,17), and social participation (5,6) 9 .

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Lay Concept of Aging Well According to Age: A ReAnalysis

“…In the first study, the consensus criteria among countries was 75% agreement (very or somewhat in agreement), but with this cutoff, other analysis found no differences between countries or age. 8 To examine differences between the groups, it was decided to increase the level of consensus to 90%, including three items not included in the original questionnaire: keep mentally well (21), keep physically well (22), have plans and goals (23).…”