Abstract
AbstractLife expectancy has only recently extended into old age. In many countries, declining proportions of working‐age people have to ensure adequate living conditions for a growing number of old people. To meet this challenge, societies need knowledge about positive or “successful” aging and conditions that foster them. In this chapter, we review the state of research on this topic. Early approaches focused on the question “whatis successful aging?” by outlining general criteria for aging well. More recent approaches have shifted the focus to the question “howdo people age successfully?” These models—e.g., the model of selection, optimization, and compensation (Baltes & Baltes, 1990), the model of assimilative and accommodative coping (Brandtstädter & Renner, 1990), or the model of primary and secondary control (e.g., Heckhausen & Schulz, 1995)—emphasize the role of proactive processes and motivational processes in shaping and adapting to age‐related changes. By adapting goals and standards to the changing availability of resources (e.g., health‐related decline), for example, older people can maintain a high level of functioning and well‐being. Hopefully, the identification of processes underlying successful aging will help to enhance the quality of older person's lives in the future.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
