Staying Active in Old Age: A Way to Well Being?

Gerontological research on successful aging is surveyed, discussing activity theory (eg, B. W. Lemon et al, 1972; Longino, C. F. & Kart, C. S., 1982) & R. C. Atchley's (1989) continuity theory. Interview data (N = 295, aged 80 to 84) collected in the Swiss Interdisciplinary Longitudinal Study on the Oldest-Old (Swilso-o) are utilized to investigate the role of free-choice activities on the affective & cognitive well-being of elderly cohorts from Geneva & Valais Cantons. A list of 16 activities grouped into seven domains was tested: (1) manual (eg, gardening), (2) games (individual or group), (3) media (eg, listening to a radio or watching TV), (4) reading, (5) social (frequenting a cafe, going to the movies, group excursions), (6) physical exercise, & (7) religious. Fragility as a core notion in elderly's health & well being is characterized, & the variables of age, gender, socioeconomic status, region, & life style (living alone vs in family or with a spouse) are taken into account. Statistical scores are computed showing interrelationship between activity type & fragility progression/health degradation. It is found that the negative aspects of fragility associated with aging are effectively counteracted by engagement with free-choice activities; health deterioration is either delayed or slowed by these activities. Results support Atchley's continuity theory. Tables, Appendixes, References. Z. Dubiel