Aging with and into disability: An introductory review with clarification of basic terms

Abstract

Aging involves the progression of becoming older, encompassing physical, mental, and social changes that take place in individuals over time. The longer lifespan and decreasing fertility rates have brought attention to the difficulties experienced by elderly people with disabilities. A survey method was used to collect titles of articles from different electronic databases, both online and offline, in national and international journals, as well as chapters or full-length books in the fields of gerontology and disability studies. The resulting list of 95 entries up to March 2024 was examined using the SANRA guidelines (Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles: Baethge, Goldbeck-Wood, & Mertens, 2019), aided by a flow chart and harvest plot to visually present the findings. The main focus was on clarifying fundamental terms related to aging with and into disability, successful aging, atypical aging, psychological aging, premature aging, and others. This type of clarification, which is not yet available from a single source, is considered necessary for aspiring researchers in this field to choose specific topics or themes for further study. The findings provide valuable insights for future considerations and opportunities for additional research.