Abstract:

Qualitative data from transcripts of four audiotaped focus groups (N = 28 noninstitutionalized middle- & upper-class white elderly, ages 68-89, in Los Angeles, CA) are drawn on to develop a definition of successful aging that includes subjective as well as objective components. Successful aging is concluded to be a complex pattern of interrelated constructs. Its primary characteristics (ie, those named by 10+% of participants) are mental activity, attitude, social support, & self-care. Secondary characteristics include physical activity, interpersonal behavioral skill, financial status, autonomy, & coping. Mental activity, named by 33% of participants, is the dominant characteristic & is composed of memory, flexibility, reading, challenge, curiosity, alertness, mental learning & busyness, & humor. The emphasis on mental activity may be related to increasing awareness of Alzheimer's disease.