Aging well has become a commonly used term and yet we don’t all describe it the same way, because there is no one-size-fits-all definition. Exploring different perspectives on Aging Well can help you to create your own definition and consider some practical strategies.

Aging is an inevitable part of life and can be a more difficult process for some than for others.  Aging well, on the other hand, is influenced by many factors and is not inevitable. It seems to me that several terms are being used interchangeably with aging well – healthy aging, wellness, well-being, successful aging and even graceful aging – all with various definitions. But do they all mean the same thing?

Objectively, how well we are aging can be measured against the expected health status or decline of others in a similar group. But it is also important to recognize and understand the importance of respecting individual perspectives about aging well.

Redefining the phrase Aging Well to make it personal can better reflect the diversity of your life experiences and perspectives.

What does aging well mean?

For some, aging well means being physically fit and active, while for others it’s more about maintaining mental sharpness and emotional well-being. Some may define aging well as being financially secure and able to enjoy retirement on their terms, or having a strong social network and maintaining close relationships with family and friends.

The Pan American Health Organization uses the term Healthy Aging and predicts that by 2030 1 in 6 adults in the Americas will be over the age of 60.

“Healthy aging is a continuous process of optimizing opportunities to maintain and improve physical and mental health, independence, and quality of life throughout the life course.”

Pan American Health Organization

Cultural background, beliefs, and personal experiences can also shape your definition of aging well. If your experience as a young person created a negative view of aging (becoming less capable physically and/or mentally with age), you are more likely to dread becoming older rather than embracing the changes that come with additional years and finding ways to stay healthy, active, and engaged in life. 

Factors that impact aging well

Some of the factors that can impact how well you age include genetics, lifestyle choices, chronic illness, finances and access to healthcare. 

Genetics can play a role in determining how quickly an individual ages, while lifestyle choices such as diet and exercise and finances can have a significant impact on physical and mental well-being.

These factors can also influence your personal definition of aging well. For instance, someone who is genetically predisposed to specific health conditions may define aging well as avoiding or managing those conditions. Another individual who values physical fitness may define aging well as being able to continue to participate in physical activities they enjoy.

Successful aging is a multidimensional concept presented in a book of the same name in 1987 (authors Rowe and Kahn). It incorporates both objective and subjective elements but the limitations of the absence of illness or disease make it an outdated model.

An objective biomedical measurement to define successful aging is based on the absence of factors including

• Chronic illness
• Mobility
• Mental capacity
• Disabilities
• Chronological age

We can age well by taking care of our physical and mental health and creating a balanced lifestyle that supports our total well-being. But in addition to our individual approach to aging, there needs to be a societal viewpoint that sees possibility and supports us on our journey. 

Age-friendly environmental supports such as transportation, building access, and home designs are part of a holistic approach to healthy aging. Community supports that provide access to programs and assistance attuned to seniors’ capabilities require the community to shift the vision of what an aging person needs – not always doing for but offering to do with.

What is your personal definition of aging well?

As we age, we often hear phrases like ‘aging well’, ‘aging gracefully’ and ‘successful aging’, but what does aging well mean to you?

Creating your own definition of aging well can be quite powerful, creating confidence and optimism. But it means that you need to take stock of your life as it is now and reflect on how things might be different in 5, 10 or 15 years. The future of our health is not 100 percent predictable, but we have the ability to influence it to some degree.

You are likely to focus on one or more of these five main areas when creating your personal definition of aging well.

• Physical Perspective

Consider your experience with physical health, the importance of maintaining a certain personal standard and challenges you might have with your physical well-being 

• Psychological Perspective

Consider your emotional well-being, your mental health and enjoyment in life, and whether stress is a significant part of your life.

• Social Perspective

Consider your social network, the importance of maintaining connections with family and friends, and other ways you are engaged in daily activities.

• Spiritual Perspective

Consider your spiritual well-being and the importance of finding meaning and purpose in life, this may be closely tied to your social connections and cultural beliefs

• Cultural Perspective

Consider your cultural beliefs and values, whether you can maintain a sense of cultural identity and well-being 

It seems to me that the overarching theme is to be able to do the things in life that make you happy and give you a reason to get up in the morning, so you can enjoy the day with the people who are important to you. And all of that will look different for you than it does for me.

During the process of aging, if you are able to predict where life or health challenges might occur and develop strategies to cope with the changes – while still maintaining a positive life experience – then you would probably consider yourself to be aging well.

The importance of redefining aging well

Despite the many different ways that aging well has been defined, none of them are broad enough in scope to be all-encompassing without discriminating against those who do not fit the cultural “ideal” of aging well. An ideal that is mostly media driven and unrealistic.

Society tends to focus on physical health and youthfulness, rather than the diversity of experiences and perspectives that come with aging. 

Shift Focus

One way to redefine aging well is to shift the focus from age to ability. Rather than defining aging well as looking or acting a certain way at a certain age, we can focus on the abilities and strengths of older adults.

The World Health Organization (WHO)provides a definition for healthy aging that is about functional ability – this seems to me to be a more inclusive definition. 

“the process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables wellbeing in older age.” Functional ability is about having the capabilities that enable all people to be and do what they have reason to value.  

WHO

Healthy aging does not require an absence of disease or infirmity as Successful Aging does. Many people live with chronic conditions that are well-managed and do not seriously affect their well-being. 

WHO believes there is no typical older person. The current focus of WHO work on aging has transitioned from Active Aging – a policy framework implemented in 2002 – to Healthy Aging (2015-2030).

Proactively addressing age-related changes that you are already living with, or those that you anticipate, gives you the ability to choose how you will adapt to your personal needs. The current health systems are not always structured in an age-friendly way but look for ways to take advantage of what is available in your community.

And So….

The phrase “aging well” may be commonly used, and although it means different things to different people it will continue to be used interchangeably with healthy aging or successful aging. 

For me aging well is about taking control of my physical health, personal relationships and finances to make the most of my later years. I will need to adjust as my osteoarthritis becomes more bothersome and I might choose to let go of some relationships that have reached the end of their life.  

We may be seeing a slight shift in the concept of aging well with the 2023 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover featuring a sort-of modestly covered Martha Stewart, an octogenarian with diverse life experiences. Although this is still a media-driven objectification of women it will most certainly be a conversation starter.

What is your definition of aging well? Or do you have an alternate phrase you prefer to use?