The well-being of community-dwelling near-centenarians and centenarians in Hong Kong a qualitative study

Abstract

BackgroundHong Kong has one of the highest life expectancy rankings in the world. The number of centenarians and near-centenarians has been increasing locally and internationally. The relative growth of this population is a topic of immense importance for population and health policy makers. Living long and living well are two overlapping but distinct research topics. We previously conducted a quantitative study on 153 near-centenarians and centenarians to explore a wide range of biopsychosocial correlates of health and “living long”. This paper reports a follow-up qualitative study examining the potential correlates of “living well” among near-centenarians and centenarians in Hong Kong.MethodsSix cognitively, physically, and psychologically sound community-dwelling elders were purposively recruited from a previous quantitative study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted.ResultsFour major themes related to living long and well emerged from the responses of the participants: (a) Positive relations with others, (b) Positive events and happiness, (c) Hope for the future, and (d) Positive life attitude. Specifically, we found that having good interpersonal relationships, possessing a collection of positive life events, and maintaining salutary attitudes towards life are considered as important to psychological well-being by long-lived adults in Hong Kong. Most participants perceived their working life as most important to their life history and retired at very old ages.ConclusionsThese findings also shed light on the relationships between health, work, and old age.

How a Himalayan Master and Teacher Promotes Healthy Behavior among His Followers in the Vedic Tradition

“…For instance, a new survey study is being planned that will examine emotional balance (Spedding, 2014a). Since evidence suggests that engaging in the health behaviors espoused by the PHMS positively affects the length of telomeres and therefore longevity (Ornish et al, 2013;Shalev et al, 2013;Simon et al, 2006;Vuturo, 2013), another potential direction for future research would be to examine the centenarians who live in villages in India and apply PHMS teachings and to determine what they believe allows them to live so long, similar to other studies around the globe (Cheung, & Lau, 2016;Darviri, et al 2009;Haveman-Nies, De Groot, & Van Staveren, 2003;Wong, et al, 2014). Finally, the current pilot study suggested another possible research direction.…”

Preparing for a paradigm shift in aging populations: listen to the oldest old

“…The oldest old in this study believed that rewards come from hard work and that if you “do good for others, it will return to you.” In Hong Kong, another super-aging society, near-centenarians and centenarians provided similar advice to younger people: that longevity is largely related to attitude towards life (Wong et al, 2014). ’ Further, showing concern for others strengthens interdependence; interdependence, in terms of relational harmony, along with independence, defined as personal control, have been found to enhance health and wellbeing (Kitayama, Karasawa, Curhan, Ryff, & Markus, 2010).…”

“…The oldest old do not have future plans, instead focusing on the present; that is, “living for today (Eloranta et al, 2012; Wong et al, 2014). ” For such individuals, who have limited life expectancy, the beauty of life is present in simple moments.…”

“…Based on a literature review of successful aging (Anderson, Goodman, Holtzman, Posner, & Northridge, 2012) and living experience (Fleming, Farquhar, Brayne, & Barcley; Cambridge city over-75s cohort (CC75C) study collaboration, 2016; Jopp et al, 2016; Wong et al, 2014) of older people, we developed a semi-structured interview guide that included positive (e.g., a feeling of happiness) and negative (e.g., physical and cognitive decline) aspects of their experience (Table I). Furthermore, the interview guide consisted of past, present, and future axes to facilitate the oldest old in talking freely.…”

“…Recent studies have highlighted the impact that psychological factors, “such as having a purpose in life,” have on living longer lives (Cohen, Bavishi, & Rozanski, 2016), in addition to maintaining physical functioning (Kim, Kawachi, Chen, & Kubzansky, 2017). Wong et al (2014) also reported four themes related to living long and well: positive relations with others, positive events and happiness, hope for the future, and positive life attitude. Jopp et al (2016) addressed loss of well-liked activities and loss of family members as psychological and social challenges, respectively.…”