Perceived Strategies and Activities for Successful Later Aging

Abstract

This study investigated perceived strategies and activities for successful later aging. Participants were 242 members of the Terman Study of the Gifted who responded to an open-ended question concerning how they make the most of their aging years. Data were collected in 1996 and 1999, when the participants were average ages of 84 and 86. Longitudinal analyses examined changes over time and cross-sectional analyses examined correlates of strategies and activities. Results showed that strategies emphasized emotion regulation and adaptation. Activities emphasized family involvement, social relationships, leisure, productive and intellectual activity, and health maintenance. Reports of emotion regulation and adaptation increased over time and mention of an intellectual orientation declined over time. Variations in activity mention were found according to gender, age, self-rated health, health limitations, and life satisfaction. History of higher-level occupations was related to more productive activities. Results are discussed in terms of the challenges of later aging.