A recent investigation explored the elements contributing to “successful” or optimal ageing, tracking the experiences of over 7,000 Canadians in their middle and later years across roughly three years to pinpoint the factors that bolster well-being as we age.
This research revealed that individuals more likely to sustain excellent health throughout the study and avoid debilitating cognitive, physical, or emotional issues were typically women, married, engaged in regular physical activity, maintained a healthy weight, never smoked, enjoyed higher incomes, and did not suffer from insomnia, heart disease, or arthritis.
To ensure a meaningful analysis, the study commenced with participants who were already in prime health, characterized by the absence of memory issues, chronic debilitating pain, serious mental illness, or physical disabilities that impede daily activities. Additionally, these individuals had robust social support networks and high happiness levels and were very satisfied with their lives.
Mabel Ho, the study’s lead author and a doctoral candidate at the University of Toronto’s Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work and the Institute of Life Course and Aging, expressed both surprise and delight at discovering that over 70% of the participants retained their excellent health status throughout the study. Ho emphasized the significance of focusing on the strengths and positive aspects of ageing rather than exclusively highlighting the negative or problematic aspects commonly portrayed in media and research.
The study also noted variations in the prevalence of successful ageing based on the age of the participants at the outset. Approximately three-quarters of those aged between 55 and 64 managed to maintain their health throughout the study, whereas around half of those aged 80 and above achieved the same feat.
Highlighting the remarkable resilience and well-being among the oldest participants, Ho pointed out the encouraging implications for older adults and their families, who might otherwise brace for a steep decline in health after 80. Understanding the factors linked to successful ageing can aid in crafting supportive environments that foster a fulfilling and healthy later life.
Obesity emerged as a significant detriment to ageing well, with normal-weight older adults having a 24% higher chance of optimal ageing compared to their obese counterparts. The study corroborated previous findings about the negative impact of obesity on physical and cognitive health and underscored the importance of physical activity in ageing gracefully.
Income levels also played a crucial role, with only about half of the individuals living below the poverty line ageing optimally, in contrast to three-quarters of those above it. This gap suggests that financial constraints may limit access to healthy lifestyle choices and elevate stress levels, though further research is needed to understand this dynamic fully.
The research further established the importance of lifestyle choices, showing that older adults who never smoked were 46% more likely to maintain excellent health than current smokers. The benefits of quitting smoking later in life, such as improved survival rates and reduced respiratory symptoms, were highlighted, along with the finding that former smokers had health outcomes comparable to those who never smoked.
Physical activity was identified as a critical factor in maintaining health in later life, with those engaging in moderate to strenuous activities being significantly more likely to age well. Similarly, sound sleep was linked to a 29% higher likelihood of preserving excellent health, underscoring the value of addressing sleep issues through interventions like cognitive-behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I).
Published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, this study utilized data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging to examine the determinants of optimal ageing, focusing on respondents in prime health at the study’s commencement. This approach highlights the critical influence of health, lifestyle, and socioeconomic factors on the ageing process, offering valuable insights for individuals, families, practitioners, and policymakers aiming to support a vibrant and healthy later life.
More information:Ho, M., Pullenayegum, E., Burnes, D., & Fuller-Thomson, E. (2022). Successful aging among immigrant and Canadian-born older adults: Findings from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA). International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(20): 13199. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013199
Journal information: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Provided by University of Toronto
