Rethinking successful aging: Older female volunteers’ perspectives in Taiwan

Abstract

Asia and the Pacific have been increasingly becoming home to a very large proportion of older persons. It is also known that women are the majority of the senior population in most countries and age differently from men. This study aims to understand what successful aging means to elderly women in Taiwan, a country where the proportion of the elderly population has become the largest in Southeast Asia since 1990. In-depth interviews with 14 older female volunteers were analyzed to identify the components of successful aging. The respondents defined successful aging as follows: (1) being healthy, (2) having no financial worries, (3) maintaining connections with family and friends, (4) contributing to society, and (5) desiring a good death, not longevity. Gender roles and Asian culture were seen to be intertwined with these women's perceptions, which contribute to rethinking existing models and literature in both gerontology and women's studies. The findings of this study can also facilitate better programs and services for women so that they can reach a good old age.