Abstract
Background: Older adults’ concepts of successful ageing are important in planning health promotion. We surveyed the perceptions of successful ageing in New Zealand.
Methods: A 20-item survey was given to community-dwelling older adults attending a series of public lectures on aging.
Results: 536 New Zealand participants aged 65 years and older (mean age 75 + 6.28 years) returned completed surveys. Fifteen attributes were considered important by over 75% of participants. The attribute that most people thought was important for successful ageing was “remaining in good health until death” (98%). “Living a very long time” was the attribute of lowest importance (25%). There were significant differences between the percentages males and females deemed important in successful ageing in 11 of the 20 attributes (p<0.005), with more females rating importance of social involvement, adjustment in old age and having a sense of peace.
Conclusion: Our results show similarities in older adults' perceptions of successful ageing with other European populations and indicates some gender differences. Further studies would need to include other ethnicities and qualitative components. Policy makers and stakeholders need to focus on supporting social engagement as one variable that will potentially affect successful ageing.