By following more than 7,000 middle-aged and older Canadians for approximately three years, a new study aimed to uncover key factors that contribute to successful or optimal aging. Researchers found that they were more likely to maintain excellent health and avoid cognitive, physical, or emotional problems that lead to disability, or arthritis.
The findings highlight the importance of deficit-based strength-based rather than focusing on the elderly and the elderly.
What’s the key to “success” or optimal aging? A new study followed more than 7,000 middle-aged and older Canadians for nearly three years to identify factors associated with age-related well-being.
The results showed that women, married, physically active, nonobese, never smoked, had high income, and did not suffer from insomnia, heart disease, or arthritis performed better throughout the study period. I found that I was more likely to stay healthy. Less likely to disable cognitive, physical, or emotional problems.
As a baseline, researchers selected participants who were in very good health at the start of the approximately 3-year study period. This includes the absence of memory impairment or chronic pain that interferes with activities of daily living, the absence of serious mental illness, the absence of physical disabilities that limit activities of daily living, and adequate social support; It includes high levels of happiness and life satisfaction.
“We were surprised and delighted to find that over 70% of our sample remained in excellent health throughout the study,” said lead author, Factor Inwentash School of Sociology, University of Toronto. says Mabel Ho, a PhD candidate at Work (FIFSW) and Institute of Life Course and Aging. “Our findings highlight the importance of strengths-based, rather than deficit-based, focus on older adults and seniors. Media & Research tend to ignore the positive and focus on the problem.”
There was considerable variability in aging success rates based on the age of the respondents at the start of the study. Three-quarters of the respondents, who ranged from 55 years of age to her 64 years of age at the start of the study period, remained in excellent health throughout the study period. About half of people over the age of 80 are in good health.
“It is noteworthy that half of those over the age of 80 maintained very high standards of cognitive, physical and emotional well-being throughout the three-year study. “This is great news for seniors and their families, who anticipate a steep decline is inevitable for those over 20 years old,” says Mabel Ho. We can work with individuals, families, practitioners, policy makers and researchers to create an environment that supports a vibrant and healthy later life.”
Obese older adults were less likely to remain healthy later in life. Compared to obese older adults, normal-weight people were 24 percent more likely to be at their optimal age.
“Our findings are consistent with other studies that have found that obesity is associated with a range of physical symptoms and cognitive problems, and that physical activity also plays an important role in optimal aging,” co-authors said. Associate Professor David Burnes of the University of Toronto, FIFSW and Chair of the Canadian Research Committee on Elderly Abuse Prevention. “These findings highlight the importance of maintaining an appropriate weight and engaging in an active lifestyle throughout life.”
Income was also an important factor. Only about half of those living below the poverty line are at optimal age compared to her three-quarters of those living above the poverty line.
“Our study does not provide information on why low income is important, but inadequate income can cause stress and limit healthy choices such as optimal nutrition. Further research is needed to explore this relationship further,” said senior author Esme Fuller, director of the Institute for Life Courses and Aging and professor of social work at the University of Toronto’s Factor Inwentash Department. Thomson says.
Lifestyle factors are associated with optimal health later in life. Older people who never smoked were 46% more likely to remain in excellent health compared to current smokers. Previous studies have shown that quitting smoking later in life may improve survival statistics, lung function, and quality of life. It reduces the incidence of coronary events and reduces respiratory symptoms. The study found that people who smoked before smoked just as much as people who never smoked, highlighting that it’s never too late to quit.
The study also found that engaging in physical activity is important in maintaining good health later in life. Older adults who engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity were 35% to 45% more likely to age healthily, respectively.
Findings showed that respondents who never or rarely experienced sleep disturbances at baseline were 29% more likely to remain in excellent health throughout the study.
“It is clear that good sleep is an important factor as we age. Sleep problems impair cognitive, mental and physical health. “There is strong evidence that it is very helpful for people with insomnia,” says Esme Fuller-Thomson.
This study was recently published online. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public HealthIt uses longitudinal data from the baseline wave (2011-2015) and the first follow-up wave (2015-2018) of data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) to generate the first two waves. Examine the factors associated with optimal aging in humans. CLSA had 7,651 respondents who were 60 years of age or older in wave 2 and in optimal health during the baseline wave of data collection. The sample was limited to those who were in good health at baseline, representing only 45% of respondents.
References: “Successful Aging of Immigrant and Canadian-born Older Adults: Findings from the Canadian Longitudinal Study of Aging (CLSA),” Mabel Ho, Eleanor Purnaegham, David Burns, Esme Fuller Thomson, October 13, 2022, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192013199
