TY - JOUR
T1 - Prevalence and factors associated with thriving in older adulthood
T2 - A 10-year population-based study
AU - Kaplan, Mark S.
AU - Huguet, Nathalie
AU - Orpana, Heather
AU - Feeny, David
AU - McFarland, Bentson H.
AU - Ross, Nancy
N1 - Funding Information:
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This study was supported by grant AG027129 from the National Institute on Aging. CONFLICT OF INTEREST David Feeny has a proprietary interest in Health Utilities Incorporated (HUInc.), Dundas, Ontario, Canada. HUInc. distributes copyrighted Health Utilities Index (HUI) materials and provides methodological advice on the use of HUI. None of the other authors have any interests that might be interpreted as influencing the research.
PY - 2008/10
Y1 - 2008/10
N2 - Background. Interest in the determinants of "successful aging" is growing. Nonetheless, successful aging remains ill defined, and its appropriate measurement is hotly contested. Most studies have focused on the absence of disability or deficits in physical performance as outcomes. The present study extends this research by using the Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI3), a multidimensional measure of health status, to examine the maintenance of exceptionally good health among older participants in the Canadian National Population Health Survey (1994-2004). Methods. The maintenance of exceptionally good health in old age was examined prospectively among 2432 individuals (65-85 years old at baseline) who met the inclusion criteria. The participants were classified into one of four health trajectories: thrivers (who maintained exceptional health with no or only mild disability), nonthrivers (who experienced a moderate or severe disability), the deceased, and the institutionalized. Results. In 10 years of follow-up, 190 (8%) were thrivers (HUI3 score ≥ 0.89 at all interviews), 1076 (47%) were nonthrivers, 893 (36%) died, and 273 (9%) were institutionalized. The maintenance of exceptionally good health among the elderly participants was related to younger age at baseline, socioeconomic status (higher income), psychosocial factors (including lower psychological distress), and behavioral factors (never smoked and moderate alcohol use). Conclusions. The maintenance of exceptionally good health in old age is related, at least in part, to modifiable lifestyle factors. However, elevated socioeconomic status also distinguishes those who are able to maintain exceptionally good health.
AB - Background. Interest in the determinants of "successful aging" is growing. Nonetheless, successful aging remains ill defined, and its appropriate measurement is hotly contested. Most studies have focused on the absence of disability or deficits in physical performance as outcomes. The present study extends this research by using the Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI3), a multidimensional measure of health status, to examine the maintenance of exceptionally good health among older participants in the Canadian National Population Health Survey (1994-2004). Methods. The maintenance of exceptionally good health in old age was examined prospectively among 2432 individuals (65-85 years old at baseline) who met the inclusion criteria. The participants were classified into one of four health trajectories: thrivers (who maintained exceptional health with no or only mild disability), nonthrivers (who experienced a moderate or severe disability), the deceased, and the institutionalized. Results. In 10 years of follow-up, 190 (8%) were thrivers (HUI3 score ≥ 0.89 at all interviews), 1076 (47%) were nonthrivers, 893 (36%) died, and 273 (9%) were institutionalized. The maintenance of exceptionally good health among the elderly participants was related to younger age at baseline, socioeconomic status (higher income), psychosocial factors (including lower psychological distress), and behavioral factors (never smoked and moderate alcohol use). Conclusions. The maintenance of exceptionally good health in old age is related, at least in part, to modifiable lifestyle factors. However, elevated socioeconomic status also distinguishes those who are able to maintain exceptionally good health.
KW - Aging
KW - Epidemiology
KW - Longitudinal
KW - Population health
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U2 - 10.1093/gerona/63.10.1097
DO - 10.1093/gerona/63.10.1097
M3 - Article
C2 - 18948561
AN - SCOPUS:55949107020
SN - 1079-5006
VL - 63
SP - 1097
EP - 1104
JO - Journals of Gerontology - Series A Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences
JF - Journals of Gerontology - Series A Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences
IS - 10
ER -