Aging is inevitable, but how to "grow old healthily"?

A new study aims to reveal the key factors
contributing to successful or optimal aging by following more than 7,000 middle-aged and older Canadians for about three years.
The researchers found that people who were more likely to maintain good health and avoid disability from cognitive, physical or emotional problems were women, married, active, not obese, had higher incomes, never smoked, had no insomnia, heart disease or arthritis
.

The findings highlight the importance of
focusing on aging and older people on a strength-based basis, rather than a deficit-based.

What is the key to "success" or optimal aging? A new study followed more than 7,000 middle-aged and older adults for about three years to identify factors
related to our age.

They found that women who were married, actively active, not obese, never smoked, had higher incomes, and had no insomnia, heart disease, or arthritis were more likely to maintain good health throughout the study period and less likely to have cognitive, physical or emotional disabilities
.

As a baseline, the researchers selected participants
who were in good health at the start of the roughly three-year study.
This includes no memory problems or chronic disabling pain, no serious mental illness, no physical disability that limits daily activities, and adequate social support and high levels of well-being and life satisfaction
.

"We were surprised and pleased to learn that more than 70 percent of people in our sample remained in good health throughout the study period," said first author Mabel Ho, a doctoral student
at the Inter-Inventash School of Social Work (FIFSW) and the Institute for Life Processes and Aging at the University of Toronto.
"Our findings underscore the importance of
focusing on aging and older people on a strength-based, rather than deficit-based.
Media and research tend to ignore the positive and focus only on the issues
.
”

The prevalence of successful aging varies
considerably depending on the age of respondents at the start of the study.
Three-quarters of respondents who were between the ages of 55 and 64 at the start of the study maintained good health
throughout the study.
About half of those aged 80 and older maintain good health
.

"Notably, half of those aged 80 and older maintained extremely high levels of cognitive, physical, and emotional well-being in the three-year study
.
This is good news for seniors and their families, who may think a sharp decline in age for people aged 80 and older is inevitable
.
By understanding the factors associated with successful ageing, we can work with older adults, families, practitioners, policymakers, and researchers to create an environment
that supports a vibrant and healthy old age.
”

Obese older adults are less likely to remain healthy
later in life.
People of normal weight were 24 percent more likely to reach their optimal age than obese older adults
.

"Our findings are consistent with other studies that have linked obesity to a range of physical symptoms and cognitive problems, and that physical activity also plays a key role in optimal aging," said co-author David Burnes, an associate professor at the University of Toronto FIFSW and chair
of the Canadian Elder Abuse Prevention Study.
"These findings underscore the importance of
maintaining an appropriate weight and an active lifestyle throughout life.
"

Income is also an important factor
.
Only about half of the population below the poverty line are at their optimal age, while three quarters of those living above the poverty line are at their optimal age
.

"While our study does not provide information on why low income is important, insufficient income can lead to stress and limit healthy choices, such as optimal nutrition
.
" Future research needs to further explore this relationship," said
senior author Esme Fuller-Thomson, director of the Institute for Life Course and Aging and professor at the Interventash School of Social Work at the University of Toronto.

Lifestyle factors are associated with
optimal health in later life.
Older adults who never smoked were 46 percent
more likely to maintain good health compared to those who were smoking.
Previous studies have shown that quitting smoking later in life improves survival statistics, lung function, and quality of life; Reduces the incidence of coronary events and reduces respiratory symptoms
.
Studies have found that people who quit smoking are just as good as people who never smoke, underscoring that it's never too late
to quit.

Studies have also found that participating in physical activity is important
for staying healthy later in life.
Older adults who engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity are 35 to 45 percent more likely to age
healthily, respectively.
The findings showed that respondents who never or rarely experienced sleep problems at baseline were 29 percent more likely to maintain good health throughout the study
.

"Obviously, as you age, good sleep is an important factor
.
Sleep problems can impair cognitive, mental, and physical health
.
There is strong evidence that an intervention called cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is very helpful for people with insomnia," said
Esme Fuller-Thomson.

The study was recently published online in
the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
It used longitudinal data from the baseline wave (2011-2015) and follow-up data from the first wave (2015-2018) of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) to examine factors
associated with optimal aging in the first two waves.
In the CLSA survey, there were 7,651 respondents aged 60 years or older in the second wave of the survey, who were in optimal health during the baseline wave of data collection
.
The sample was limited to people who were in good health at baseline, making up only 45 percent
of respondents.

Successful Aging among Immigrant and Canadian-Born Older Adults: Findings from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA)