Thursday, September 13, 2007
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Summary of Section 1
As the tidal wave of the cohort known as the baby boomer generation begins to crash on the shore of retirement, it would be interesting to understand what factors may best express the personal view of older people that they are successfully aging. The model of successful aging is predominant to gerontology. Positive behaviors and lifestyles choices may lead to enhanced psychological and physical health. Constructive positive behaviors may also build stronger social relationships for the older person.
Adults of any age can undertake lifestyle and behavior modifications to enhance and positively improve their life. Adults of any age may improve their financial material position through a number of behavior and lifestyle changes. Adults of any age may improve their social connectivity through a number of behavioral and lifestyle changes. Thus, individuals may find it highly advantageous to implement a whole system of interaction with their holarchy to attain a higher degree of life satisfaction and increased quality of life. This may lead to the apogee of the awareness that one is a successful ager.
Adults of any age can undertake lifestyle and behavior modifications to enhance and positively improve their life. Adults of any age may improve their financial material position through a number of behavior and lifestyle changes. Adults of any age may improve their social connectivity through a number of behavioral and lifestyle changes. Thus, individuals may find it highly advantageous to implement a whole system of interaction with their holarchy to attain a higher degree of life satisfaction and increased quality of life. This may lead to the apogee of the awareness that one is a successful ager.
Objectives
The following objectives have been developed for this study:
1. To determine if older people who actively engage in a healthy lifestyle report higher levels of the self-perception of successfully aging.
2. To determine if the frequency in which older people believe they have successfully aged is related to positive behaviors exhibited earlier in life.
3. To determine if the ability to maintain social connectivity by older people will lead to a greater sense of life satisfaction.
4. To establish if study participants’ personal views of successful aging are correlated with social connectivity.
5. To establish if study participants’ personal views of successful aging are correlated with physical functional ability.
6. To establish if study participants’ personal views of successful aging are correlated with material resources.
1. To determine if older people who actively engage in a healthy lifestyle report higher levels of the self-perception of successfully aging.
2. To determine if the frequency in which older people believe they have successfully aged is related to positive behaviors exhibited earlier in life.
3. To determine if the ability to maintain social connectivity by older people will lead to a greater sense of life satisfaction.
4. To establish if study participants’ personal views of successful aging are correlated with social connectivity.
5. To establish if study participants’ personal views of successful aging are correlated with physical functional ability.
6. To establish if study participants’ personal views of successful aging are correlated with material resources.
Purpose of Study
The purpose of this study was to examine the interrelatedness of one’s holarchy and their individual belief that they are aging successfully. Self-reported observations of life satisfaction may reveal that the process of successful aging is intimately connected with the total life experience and moreover may be substantially and increasingly influenced through one’s self-direction during the life course.
The active participation in self-directing one’s life may demonstrate a positive correlation with the belief that one is aging successfully. This may provide a better explanation of how one may attain a greater degree of life satisfaction and increased quality of life leading to the perception and belief that one is aging successfully.
The active participation in self-directing one’s life may demonstrate a positive correlation with the belief that one is aging successfully. This may provide a better explanation of how one may attain a greater degree of life satisfaction and increased quality of life leading to the perception and belief that one is aging successfully.
Problem Statement
Social scientists have been searching for an explanation of how to age successfully, especially from late mid-life forward. Successful aging may be related with psychological well-being which may be linked with better functional abilities. Social connectivity may also be related to successful aging. Investigating the interrelatedness of psychological, biological, and sociological phenomena may reveal that there is an interrelatedness of all three aspects in those who believe they have aged successfully. It was anticipated that older people who participated in self-directing and controlling their lives often have the perception that they are aging successfully. A study is necessary to bring light onto the premise that understanding ones holarchy reveals the ability to increased life satisfaction. Having a higher degree of quality of life may lean one towards successfully aging.
Theoretical Rationale - Continuity Theory
The continuity theory (Atchley, 1972) suggests that successful aging is a life-span developmental behavior. The continuity theory is driven by the desire to better understand constancy and change in behavior throughout the aging cycle. What one learns through life experience may suggest an individual’s ability to better cope and understand the varying circumstances his or her life may bring. Moreover, this theory suggests that ones life course development is affected by the behaviors revealed in the diverse features of his or her relation to the environment.
Theoretical Rationale - Activity Theory
The activity theory (Havighurst, 1961) posits that the quality of one’s life may be enhanced when an individual remains actively engaged in social roles and relationships throughout the stage of midlife into late adulthood and old age. The ability to remain active is not something that suddenly appears in late life. Indeed, activity in mid-life strongly suggests the behavior continues throughout one’s life course.
Activity is not just physiological mechanical movements and exercises designed to keep one functional. Activity also encompasses and influences one’s social connectivity to another. Whether this connection is with friends, family, career, or one’s God is all a part of this broad theory of activity.
Activity is not just physiological mechanical movements and exercises designed to keep one functional. Activity also encompasses and influences one’s social connectivity to another. Whether this connection is with friends, family, career, or one’s God is all a part of this broad theory of activity.
Theoretical Rationale - Disengagement Theory
The aging process of a human life may encounter many different events that could impact and influence the individual’s perception of whether or not he or she has aged successfully. The disengagement theory portends that an individual will gradually withdraw from society in preparation for death (Cumming & Henry, 1961).
While the rate of social activity would be expected to decline as the individual ages, the disengagement theory posits that individuals voluntarily withdraw from social roles and relationships. Moreover, societal expectations also mandated that older people withdraw from their roles to bring about opportunity for younger individuals to make a life where the older person once may have thrived.
While the aging process inevitably leads one to death, a more modern approach to the interpretation of the disengagement theory suggests that an individual may consciously delay the disengagement process until after his or her physical and psychological performance is greatly reduced. Even then, one may want to continue in life’s continuum to further reflect and understand what the life has meant to the individual.
While the rate of social activity would be expected to decline as the individual ages, the disengagement theory posits that individuals voluntarily withdraw from social roles and relationships. Moreover, societal expectations also mandated that older people withdraw from their roles to bring about opportunity for younger individuals to make a life where the older person once may have thrived.
While the aging process inevitably leads one to death, a more modern approach to the interpretation of the disengagement theory suggests that an individual may consciously delay the disengagement process until after his or her physical and psychological performance is greatly reduced. Even then, one may want to continue in life’s continuum to further reflect and understand what the life has meant to the individual.
Psychological Factors
An important aspect and characteristic from early adulthood onward is the ability to realize and comprehend just where one is positioned within the realm of self-understanding at any trajectory along the continuum of his or her life. This is especially true as one repositions into adulthood, mid-life, retirement, and later decades. The experience of aging directly correlates with the motivation one exhibits during the life course; however, successful aging is limited by psychological needs and desires within the individual’s underlying character (Coleman, 1999). This suggests that an active engagement with all aspects within one’s life must be the priority on the list of things to do for the perception of successful aging to manifest itself in one’s life.
Eric Erikson capably established that the ego develops and progresses through eight stages of life, each phase having its own special ascension to conclude in a functional whole (1959). Erikson clearly illustrates human development and aging as a lifelong process. The connection between earlier stages of life and the ability to successfully adapt in the future certainly is influenced by the choices made through the trajectory in a human life course.
Eric Erikson capably established that the ego develops and progresses through eight stages of life, each phase having its own special ascension to conclude in a functional whole (1959). Erikson clearly illustrates human development and aging as a lifelong process. The connection between earlier stages of life and the ability to successfully adapt in the future certainly is influenced by the choices made through the trajectory in a human life course.
Sociological Factors
It has long been observed that people who build and maintain social relationships tend to age more successfully and have an increased quality of life than those who do not. Undeniably, one only has to look within themselves to recognize that social relationships do play an important and pivotal role in the aging process. The way one behaves toward their friends, their families, and even their God suggest strongly that those who have constructive and positive relationships tend to live a more full life and, in exchange, tend to live a longer life as well (Cunningham, 2004).
The ability to age well is dependent directly on how a life course is lived. The inclusion of positive social relationships is indicative of successful aging. Tate, Lah, and Cuddy (2003, p. 736) see successful aging “as a lifelong adaptive process” where there is an “ongoing dynamic of selective optimization with compensation.” The meaning here is that successful aging relies on the individual’s ability and capacity to make choices and adapt to the environment, thereby producing a potentially less debilitating or incapacitating struggle with the aging process itself. Again, the active engagement of self-directing one’s life is one trigger for successful aging to occur. The ability to continually adjust within the aging process is indicative of life satisfaction and quality of life, culminating to the perception that one is successfully aging. Rowe and Kahn (1997) posit that aging successfully means aging well. Aging well includes the aspects of growing older.
The ability to age well is dependent directly on how a life course is lived. The inclusion of positive social relationships is indicative of successful aging. Tate, Lah, and Cuddy (2003, p. 736) see successful aging “as a lifelong adaptive process” where there is an “ongoing dynamic of selective optimization with compensation.” The meaning here is that successful aging relies on the individual’s ability and capacity to make choices and adapt to the environment, thereby producing a potentially less debilitating or incapacitating struggle with the aging process itself. Again, the active engagement of self-directing one’s life is one trigger for successful aging to occur. The ability to continually adjust within the aging process is indicative of life satisfaction and quality of life, culminating to the perception that one is successfully aging. Rowe and Kahn (1997) posit that aging successfully means aging well. Aging well includes the aspects of growing older.
Biological Factors
It has been said that when one wants to know his or her potential longevity they need not look much further than where their genes originate. Indeed, looking into the past of one’s ancestry may give a glimpse of where one is headed with regard to longevity and durability. However, as one ages through mid-life, the environment may play a much bigger role in longevity than does one’s genetic predisposition.
With the ever increasing technological breakthroughs and discoveries in biological science it becomes apparent that mankind is beginning to more clearly understand human physiology and the interaction of a person with the environment. The discoveries of medical therapies and procedures to rejuvenate and revitalize a person are beginning to provide reasons for the many maladies and difficulties that create enormous human suffering. And yet one hopes to attain the promise of the potential for an increased quality of life. These modern medical miracles are adding years to a life, but what can they do to add life to years? More importantly, does the ability of maintaining a healthy and vigorous physiology independently support the expectation one may have to successfully age?
Recent research (Goleman, 2006) indicates that cells throughout our body are affected through the interaction of one’s social relationships. Goleman posits that our relationships create a daily standard for our moods and well-being, and may even influence our immune system. Goleman’s work synthesizes recent findings in biology and brain science strongly suggesting that our brains are socially wired.
There are many scientists and researchers searching for the clues to longevity. One particular scientist is Cambridge University’s genetics department head, Dr. Aubrey de Grey. Dr. de Grey (2006) is a biogerontologist and his interpretation of successful aging is interesting. He contends that any aging is a contradiction to his understanding of aging because the aging process itself is failure in that it brings on obsolescence of our functional and cognitive performance.
With the ever increasing technological breakthroughs and discoveries in biological science it becomes apparent that mankind is beginning to more clearly understand human physiology and the interaction of a person with the environment. The discoveries of medical therapies and procedures to rejuvenate and revitalize a person are beginning to provide reasons for the many maladies and difficulties that create enormous human suffering. And yet one hopes to attain the promise of the potential for an increased quality of life. These modern medical miracles are adding years to a life, but what can they do to add life to years? More importantly, does the ability of maintaining a healthy and vigorous physiology independently support the expectation one may have to successfully age?
Recent research (Goleman, 2006) indicates that cells throughout our body are affected through the interaction of one’s social relationships. Goleman posits that our relationships create a daily standard for our moods and well-being, and may even influence our immune system. Goleman’s work synthesizes recent findings in biology and brain science strongly suggesting that our brains are socially wired.
There are many scientists and researchers searching for the clues to longevity. One particular scientist is Cambridge University’s genetics department head, Dr. Aubrey de Grey. Dr. de Grey (2006) is a biogerontologist and his interpretation of successful aging is interesting. He contends that any aging is a contradiction to his understanding of aging because the aging process itself is failure in that it brings on obsolescence of our functional and cognitive performance.
Successful Aging
What aspects of our being change as we age, and what aspects of our lives stay the same during the aging process? Indeed, this question is not a simple one to answer. Not only do people witness biological hurdles as they age, but there are a multitude of psycho-social events that also play on the aspect of aging. Moreover, the transition through a life course brings about numerous instances where aging itself can either be a benefit or a hindrance to a person. The realization of one’s life satisfaction plays a pivotal role in the perception of successful aging. This researcher believes life satisfaction and quality of life is attained through the self-direction of one’s life into successful aging.
But what is successful aging? The word “success” is ambiguous itself and can mean many things to many people. But, when gerontologists apply it to the concept discussed in this study, one may more capably comprehend and understand that successful aging is attainable by most people.
Rowe and Kahn (1997) explained the difference between usual aging and successful aging. Usual aging is the continuum one advances through without the attentive interrelationship of actively guiding one’s own life course. On the other hand, successful aging is the active engagement of directing one’s life so as not to endure the potentially debilitating circumstances associated with the predictable cause and effect of usual aging.
Rowe and Kahn (1997) conceptualized successful aging as they clearly articulated that the three major components to successfully age include the low probability of disease and interrelated disability, high cognitive and physical capability, and the active engagement with life. Rowe and Kahn contend that this final component of active engagement most clearly represents the concept of successful aging. Rowe and Kahn, who are the pioneers of research into successful aging, posit that successful aging involves more than the potential of successfully aging. Successful aging must involve the physical activities necessary for such manifestation to appear.
We begin the aging process at the cellular level upon conception. From that moment on our destiny has been set. We will age, provided we don’t succumb to a fatal accident or the contraction of a serious disease. Disease may be a pathological manifestation of either our environment or genealogy. Successful aging portends that one will make the right choices during life ensuring one’s trajectory into a functional and capable older person. This then leads to a new question: what lifetime trajectories lead to successful aging (Alkema & Alley, 2006), and can one self-direct such a course of action to lead into successfully aging?
While many may believe that successful aging is dependent on one’s functional performance, it also must include aspects of social connectivity and socio-economic resourcefulness. The premise is that successful aging is interrelated to the holarchy. The universe as a whole is an example of a holarchy, or holarchical system. The ability to have an interrelated horizontal structure of all aspects in our lives bodes well for the future success in the progression of successfully aging into later years of life.
To engage in the components defined by Rowe and Kahn (1997) through a life course may predict the ability to age successfully. However, to actively participate in all aspects of one’s life suggests strong organization. Successful aging relies on the ability of a person to live life with the same tenacity and resolve demonstrated by the CEO running a multi-billion dollar corporation. All facets of the operations must be in unison for the greatest productivity and efficiency to emerge. So it is with life. People must pay close attention to the many varying and transitional aspects in life. The lifestyle one chooses to live, the behaviors one tends to produce, even the relationships one has, all point towards the ability and capacity to achieve life satisfaction, and therefore successfully age.
Whether the process of aging is satisfying or not, one cannot ignore the fact that more people are living longer today than any time in previous recorded history. With the added decades to life expectancy since the turn of the nineteenth century, the expectation of living into the later years of life today becomes discouraging when physical restrictions and limitations preclude functional and cognitive performance. Moreover, life satisfaction becomes negative when the relationships between spouses, friends, and even between one’s God is not fulfilling. Hence, the importance and significance related to achieving increased life satisfaction and a higher degree in the quality of life is that positive life course behavior can manifest itself into ones perception that he or she is successfully aging.
There are many biological factors that can either help one age or, contrarily, impede the ability to thrive and succeed during a life course. Many have discussed the social aspects of relationships as a means for attaining and realizing the ability to age successfully. Psychological discoveries of human behavior have also suggested the essence and real meaning of successful aging.
But what is successful aging? The word “success” is ambiguous itself and can mean many things to many people. But, when gerontologists apply it to the concept discussed in this study, one may more capably comprehend and understand that successful aging is attainable by most people.
Rowe and Kahn (1997) explained the difference between usual aging and successful aging. Usual aging is the continuum one advances through without the attentive interrelationship of actively guiding one’s own life course. On the other hand, successful aging is the active engagement of directing one’s life so as not to endure the potentially debilitating circumstances associated with the predictable cause and effect of usual aging.
Rowe and Kahn (1997) conceptualized successful aging as they clearly articulated that the three major components to successfully age include the low probability of disease and interrelated disability, high cognitive and physical capability, and the active engagement with life. Rowe and Kahn contend that this final component of active engagement most clearly represents the concept of successful aging. Rowe and Kahn, who are the pioneers of research into successful aging, posit that successful aging involves more than the potential of successfully aging. Successful aging must involve the physical activities necessary for such manifestation to appear.
We begin the aging process at the cellular level upon conception. From that moment on our destiny has been set. We will age, provided we don’t succumb to a fatal accident or the contraction of a serious disease. Disease may be a pathological manifestation of either our environment or genealogy. Successful aging portends that one will make the right choices during life ensuring one’s trajectory into a functional and capable older person. This then leads to a new question: what lifetime trajectories lead to successful aging (Alkema & Alley, 2006), and can one self-direct such a course of action to lead into successfully aging?
While many may believe that successful aging is dependent on one’s functional performance, it also must include aspects of social connectivity and socio-economic resourcefulness. The premise is that successful aging is interrelated to the holarchy. The universe as a whole is an example of a holarchy, or holarchical system. The ability to have an interrelated horizontal structure of all aspects in our lives bodes well for the future success in the progression of successfully aging into later years of life.
To engage in the components defined by Rowe and Kahn (1997) through a life course may predict the ability to age successfully. However, to actively participate in all aspects of one’s life suggests strong organization. Successful aging relies on the ability of a person to live life with the same tenacity and resolve demonstrated by the CEO running a multi-billion dollar corporation. All facets of the operations must be in unison for the greatest productivity and efficiency to emerge. So it is with life. People must pay close attention to the many varying and transitional aspects in life. The lifestyle one chooses to live, the behaviors one tends to produce, even the relationships one has, all point towards the ability and capacity to achieve life satisfaction, and therefore successfully age.
Whether the process of aging is satisfying or not, one cannot ignore the fact that more people are living longer today than any time in previous recorded history. With the added decades to life expectancy since the turn of the nineteenth century, the expectation of living into the later years of life today becomes discouraging when physical restrictions and limitations preclude functional and cognitive performance. Moreover, life satisfaction becomes negative when the relationships between spouses, friends, and even between one’s God is not fulfilling. Hence, the importance and significance related to achieving increased life satisfaction and a higher degree in the quality of life is that positive life course behavior can manifest itself into ones perception that he or she is successfully aging.
There are many biological factors that can either help one age or, contrarily, impede the ability to thrive and succeed during a life course. Many have discussed the social aspects of relationships as a means for attaining and realizing the ability to age successfully. Psychological discoveries of human behavior have also suggested the essence and real meaning of successful aging.
Ok, a new plan to help S.A. discussions get going.
After considering the pros and cons of posting my thesis online, I have decided to post most of it (I'm not sure anyone wants to see my numbers specifically relating to my research). I will break-up the posts by sections hoping to stimulate discussions between us. I am here to continue my learing of this topic and look forward to learn from your comments, too.
Friday, April 6, 2007
What is successful aging?
The word "success" has many meanings to many people. However, in terms of gerontological discussion there is a distinct meaning to successful aging. There has been a great deal of research into what constitutes successful aging. The pioneers of research into this domain are Rowe and Kahn who in 1997 developed the distinction between usual aging (how we may age without the active interaction of guiding our own life course) and successful aging.
There are three major components to successfully age. They include the low probability of disease and interrelated disability, high cognitive and physical capability, and the active engagement with life.
The active engagement with life is how we may most preceive whether we are successfully aging, or as an older person, if we have successfully aged. This is where holarchy comes into play. Our lives are so full of commotion and distractions that often times we don't pay attention to the things that really matter. We must remember to live our whole existence and not focus on just one or two aspects that are important to us at the moment. Of course this is easier said than done, right?
There are three major components to successfully age. They include the low probability of disease and interrelated disability, high cognitive and physical capability, and the active engagement with life.
The active engagement with life is how we may most preceive whether we are successfully aging, or as an older person, if we have successfully aged. This is where holarchy comes into play. Our lives are so full of commotion and distractions that often times we don't pay attention to the things that really matter. We must remember to live our whole existence and not focus on just one or two aspects that are important to us at the moment. Of course this is easier said than done, right?
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Successful Aging Holarchy
I want to put forth the aspect of holarchy as it relates to my gerontological discussion. First, we have one who represents a person along the course of becoming a successful ager. There are many aspects to be considered as one is moving through a life course, but I have narrowed them down to six which may lead one to the perception that he or she has successfully aged.
These aspects are as follows: Religion/Spirituality, Social Connectivity, Education, Coping Strategies, Physical Activity/Functionality, and Financial Resources.
Imagine an organizational chart where One is centrally located and the six aspects of successful aging are radially connected to one. This may demonstrate the interrelatedness of each aspect to one. There is a constant push-pull between these aspects and one; however, for one to enjoy the perception of successfully aging he or she must capably navigate the interaction of each of these aspects throughout his or her life.
More later.
These aspects are as follows: Religion/Spirituality, Social Connectivity, Education, Coping Strategies, Physical Activity/Functionality, and Financial Resources.
Imagine an organizational chart where One is centrally located and the six aspects of successful aging are radially connected to one. This may demonstrate the interrelatedness of each aspect to one. There is a constant push-pull between these aspects and one; however, for one to enjoy the perception of successfully aging he or she must capably navigate the interaction of each of these aspects throughout his or her life.
More later.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Introduction to Holarchy
I passed my oral defense this week for my MS in Gerontology. My thesis is about the aspect of successful aging ( predominately discussed in gerontological circles) and how we are connected to the holarchy. The word holarchy was coined by Authur Koestler in his 1967 book, The Ghost in the Machine. It's origins are from the greek word holos, meaning whole and hierarchy, meaning organization. The way I use holarchy is to describe how all aspects of our lives are so intimately interrelated with one another. In short, the "parts" of our lives give rise to the "whole".
Many believe their own perception of successfully aging is due to their finanical resources, or their social connectivity, their spiritual connectivity, their physical functional capability, etc., etc., etc. Unfortunately, many people don't look at the whole picture and get lost in life by focusing only on one predominat theme in their life. My contention is that everything matters in our lives and so holarchy represents all-that-is. This will be the crux of discussion on this blog.
I will continue to post here and I hope some of you will join me for conversation and maybe even a little learning. Afterall, it's been proven that if we don't use it, we lose it (our minds). I look forward to many rewarding discussions of this topic with everyone.
Many believe their own perception of successfully aging is due to their finanical resources, or their social connectivity, their spiritual connectivity, their physical functional capability, etc., etc., etc. Unfortunately, many people don't look at the whole picture and get lost in life by focusing only on one predominat theme in their life. My contention is that everything matters in our lives and so holarchy represents all-that-is. This will be the crux of discussion on this blog.
I will continue to post here and I hope some of you will join me for conversation and maybe even a little learning. Afterall, it's been proven that if we don't use it, we lose it (our minds). I look forward to many rewarding discussions of this topic with everyone.
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