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AbstractObjectivesMethodResultsConclusionThis study investigated (1) whether there are differences in life satisfaction levels between young adults (YA) and older adults (OA), and (2) which factors are associated with life satisfaction in these groups.279 United Kingdom (UK) participants were included (166 YA aged 19–25 years and 113 OA aged 60–94 years). Participants completed an online questionnaire examining life satisfaction and its associated factors: health status, purpose in life, social support, environment, financial well-being, and religiosity. T-tests, correlational, and regression analyses were conducted.Life satisfaction was significantly higher in OA than YA. The regression analyses revealed that purpose in life and mental health were the only variables which were significantly associated with life satisfaction in both YA and OA. In YA, social support and health perception were also significantly associated with life satisfaction, whilst for OA it was improved role functioning.Techniques to increase purpose in life and improve mental health should be incorporated into life satisfaction interventions for both age groups, but addressing the distinct needs of different age groups may help to improve interventions for life satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Aims Design and Methods Results Conclusions Relevance to Clinical Practice Patient or Public Contribution The concept of healthy or successful ageing dates back to the 1960s, where its goal is more realistic in today's ageing society as a result of effective interventions to control and reduce disability and health risks. The aim of this paper is to outline the importance of defining ageing, the semantics and indicators used, and to identify common challenges for health professionals' understanding and application of a healthy ageing approach in their everyday clinical practice.This discursive paper demonstrates how realistic ageing indicators are for highlighting the variation and impact of challenges associated with ageing. It examines the proportion of older adults requiring aged‐care services and allocation of resources, focusing on health maintenance and secondary ageing prevention.Indicators of ageing commonly used in clinical healthcare settings are reviewed, and their appropriateness for determining functional and intrinsic capacity of older adults. Other indicators are introduced, i.e., the Healthy Life Expectancy (HLE), Disability Free Life Expectancy (DFLE), the Human Development Index (HDI), and the Active Ageing Index (AAI), for enhancing and promoting a healthy ageing model of healthcare. Healthy ageing models of health and social care are also considered.Outlining evidence on healthy ageing may facilitate health professionals to address realistic challenges regarding age‐related health and social care provision, using a personalised approach for every older adult as opposed to cutting off chronological age parameters.Increasing health professionals' focus on healthy ageing will maintain good health in at least 80% of the ageing population for longer.No patient or public contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current exploratory study investigates self-reported perceptions of successful ageing, and preferences for information access and support, amongst sexually and gender diverse people living with HIV in Australia. Cross-sectional data, derived from a larger survey, were extracted for 12 participants who self-reported as living with HIV and completed questions pertaining to successful ageing and information/support preferences. Qualitative responses regarding successful ageing were explored through thematic analysis while descriptive statistics were used to analyse information/support preferences. Themes of (1) social factors, agency, and autonomy; (2) physical and mental wellbeing; and (3) considerations of care needs and information were generated from qualitative data about successful ageing. General practitioners (83.3%) and HIV support services (75.0%) were the most preferred sources of information about ageing and care supports. Findings from this exploratory study identify opportunities for policy improvements, provision of funding, and coordinated community support to enable sexually and gender diverse people living with HIV to experience successful ageing in Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The literature suggests that two distinct competencies [i.e., information technology ability (ITA), and internet self-efficacy] are necessary for the effective use of information technologies for successful ageing, but no study has examined the association of these skills on successful ageing and its domains (i.e., illness avoidance, functioning, and engagement with life). This study investigated whether Internet Self-Efficacy (ISE) moderates the potential association of ITA with successful ageing. The study adopted a cross-sectional design based on the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist and includes measures against confounding and common methods bias. The participants were 1186 older workers aged 50 years or older in three African countries (Kenya = 350; Nigeria = 260; Ghana = 576). The minimum sample size necessary was calculated, and data were analysed with hierarchical linear regression analysis. After controlling for the covariates, ITA and ISE had a positive association with successful ageing as well as illness avoidance, functioning, and engagement with life in the whole sample. ITA was also positively associated with successful ageing and its domains in Kenya and Ghana. The associations of ITA with successful ageing and its domains were positively moderated by ISE in the whole sample and within each of the three samples. Higher ITA can be associated with successful ageing among working older adults, and ITA positively influences successful ageing at different levels of ISE. Older adults with high ITA are more likely to avoid illness at a higher ISE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The current exploratory study investigates self-reported perceptions of successful ageing, and preferences for information access and support, amongst sexually and gender diverse people living with HIV in Australia. Cross-sectional data, derived from a larger survey, were extracted for 12 participants who self-reported as living with HIV and completed questions pertaining to successful ageing and information/support preferences. Qualitative responses regarding successful ageing were explored through thematic analysis while descriptive statistics were used to analyse information/support preferences. Themes of (1) social factors, agency, and autonomy; (2) physical and mental wellbeing; and (3) considerations of care needs and information were generated from qualitative data about successful ageing. General practitioners (83.3%) and HIV support services (75.0%) were the most preferred sources of information about ageing and care supports. Findings from this exploratory study identify opportunities for policy improvements, provision of funding, and coordinated community support to enable sexually and gender diverse people living with HIV to experience successful ageing in Australia.

Notwithstanding the oldest-old cohort being the fastest-growing population in most ageing societies, characterizing successful ageing in adults of advanced age, such as nonagenarians and centenarians, remains challenging. This study investigated the successful ageing subphenotypes using the data from Hong Kong Centenarian Study 2. Between April 2021 and September 2022, 146 family caregivers of community-dwelling older adults aged 95 or above were interviewed by phone. Latent class analysis identified three classes— Overall Frail (46.6%) with poor mobility, cognitive and functional health, Nonambulant (37.0%) but good functional health, and Robust (16.4%) with overall good health—from 11 indicators based on caregivers' reports. Although we found a low prevalence of fulfillment of all indicators of successful ageing, our findings will help care professionals appreciate the heterogeneity underlying partial successful ageing in this vulnerable cohort for segmented and targeted healthy longevity interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on successful ageing (SA) in the oldest old requires conceptual frameworks that address their unique needs. The CHAPO model (Challenges and Potentials Model of Quality of Life) incorporates additional criteria compared to previous frameworks, including 'successful life conduct' (SLC) with both objective indicators (e.g., functional quality of life) and subjective indicators (e.g., social embeddedness, anomy, valuation of life, and positive ageing experience). When studying this framework, it is important to consider structural inequalities more accurately. Education, as a crucial factor in social positions, is an important predictor for SLC, but its role in SLC has not been analyzed yet. Thus, we examined the influence of education and explored mediating resources such as material wealth, behavioral factors (e.g., health literacy), and psychological resources (e.g., internal control belief). Using a representative cross-sectional dataset of the oldest old in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW80 + , N = 1,863), we constructed general structural equation models. We did not find a consistent educational gradient in relation to SLC indicators. However, we still assume that education may be relevant for SLC, particularly in relation to objective health markers with larger effect sizes. The impact of education on subjective indicators may be less crucial. Regarding the mediators, we found significant indirect effects of material, behavioral, and psychological resources, but the effect sizes were not substantial. In conclusion, our study suggests that education plays a role in enhancing SLC among the oldest old, but there are additional unexplored predictors of inequalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The process of population ageing with socioeconomic and political implications necessitates the creation of sustainable social strategies aimed at societal inclusion, support of subjective well-being and successful ageing of older adults. Therefore, the aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore individual and contextual factors and predictors which impede the possibility of successful ageing. The study was conducted from January to June 2024 through a questionnaire involving 403 elderly participants who live in the Eastern region of Croatia—Slavonia. The Diener Scale of Subjective Well-being and Self-assessment of Successful Ageing Scale were used in this research. A separate and model contribution of predictors (gender, age, subjective age, residence, level of education, marital status, comorbidities, Satisfaction with Life Scale and Prosperity Scale) were examined using bivariate and multivariate regression. Multivariate regression differentiated a statistically significant model, which as a whole explains between 41% and 55% of the variance of the present negative assessment of successful ageing, correctly classifying 80% of cases. The significant predictors included subjective age, place of residence, level of education, comorbidities, Satisfaction with Life Scale, and Prosperity Scale. These findings underscore the importance of both individual and contextual factors in successful ageing within this specific regional context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To examine the association between pet ownership and psychosocial outcomes among the oldest old in Germany during the Covid‐19 pandemic. Methods/Design: Data from the "Old Age in Germany (D80+)" study were used, a large, nationwide representative study covering both individuals living at home and individuals in nursing homes aged 80 years and above (n = 2867 individuals). The telephone interviews were conducted from May to October 2021. Established tools (e.g., "Short Form of the Depression in Old Age Scale", DIA‐S4) were used to quantify the outcomes. Five groups were generated: (1) no pet ownership, (2) having at least one dog (but no other pets), (3) having at least one cat (but no other pets), (4) having at least one other pet (but neither dogs nor cats), (5) having at least two different types of pets (in any combination). Results: Multiple linear regressions showed that compared to individuals without a pet, individuals having at least one dog had significantly lower loneliness levels (β = −0.21, p < 0.01). In the fully‐adjusted models, other forms of pet ownership were not significantly associated with the outcomes examined. Conclusion: Particularly living with a dog was associated with lower loneliness among the oldest old people in Germany. If living with a dog is in line with the preferences and attitudes of the very old, this could be a strategy for reducing loneliness in this age group. Key points: There is a dearth of studies examining the association between pet ownership and psychosocial outcomes based on nationally representative data.Using nationally representative data of the D80+, our aim was to explore the association between pet ownership and psychosocial outcomes during the Covid‐19 pandemic ‐ an area in which literature is extremely limited.Living with a dog was associated with lower loneliness.Multiple pet ownership may help to maintain life satisfaction.This could indicate a strategy for reducing loneliness in this age group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Age is a cultural entity like race, class, and gender that must be explored deeply. The increase in the aged population all over the world by 2050 will promote serious inquiry in the field of gerontology. The issues of the aged, like ageism, old age abuse, and negative age stereotypes, need age appropriateness, the individual: physical and psychological and the social, political, and economic aspects of ageing need to be analysed to understand the phenomenon comprehensively. This study must be promoted in the postmodern, industrial, and globalised world. The central focus gerontologists and gerontological theories insist on is successful, positive, and happy ageing. Gerontological ideas review the place of older people in society, reinvent positive images of ageing, and stand for perpetuating the images. Many gerontological inquiries conclude that an individual's ageing experience is influenced by society's standards and attitude towards older people. Literature is taken as a resource to comprehend the individual experience of ageing. Gerontologists suggest attaching some goals during the later stage to gain a positive outlook on the last stage of life. This will promote successful ageing. The paper tries to explain the scope of ageing studies in the literature, identifying literary gerontology as a promising field in health sciences that will delve deep into age and ageing, and satisfy the ideals mentioned earlier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Falls are common in the elderly and can lead to adverse consequences, like injuries, hospitalization, disability even mortality. Successful ageing emerged in sight to assess physical, psychological and social status of older adults. This study is conducted to explore the association between them in a large Indian community-dwelling population. Methods Data were based on the wave 1 survey of the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI). People aged 60 and above with complete information were included. The elderly met five standards including absence of chronic diseases, freedom from disability, high cognitive ability, free from depressive symptoms and active social engagement, were classified into successful agers. The assessment of falls, fall-related injuries and multiple falls depended on interview. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to find the associations between falls, fall-injury, multiple falls and successful ageing after adjusting both socio-demographic and biological covariates. The log-likelihood ratio test was calculated interactions in subgroups. Results 31,345 participants in LASI were finally included in our study. Of them, 20.25% reported fall, and 25% were classified into successful agers. After full adjustment, successful ageing was negatively associated with falls (OR 0.70; 95%CI 0.65–0.76) and multiple falls (OR 0.70; 95%CI 0.63–0.78). And the association did not show the significance in older adults with fall-related injuries (OR 0.86; 95%CI 0.72–1.04). Conclusions Successful ageing was negatively associated with falls and multiple falls, but not fall-related injuries in older people in India. Future studies are demanded to explore the causal relationship and to reveal the underlying mechanism.

Abstract Background Successful ageing is the term often used for depicting exceptional ageing and can be measured with multidimensional models including physical, psychological and social wellbeing. The aim of this study was to test multidimensional successful ageing models to investigate whether these models can predict successful ageing, and which individual subcomponents included in the models are most significantly associated with successful ageing. Methods Successful ageing was defined as the ability to live at home without daily care at the age of 84 years or over. Data on the participants’ physical, psychological and social wellbeing were gathered at baseline and the follow-up period was 20 years. Four successful ageing models were constructed. Backward stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to identify the individual subcomponents of the models which best predicted successful ageing. Results All successful ageing models were able to predict ageing successfully after the 20-year follow-up period. After the backward stepwise logistic regression analysis, three individual subcomponents of four models remained statistically significant and were included in the new model: having no heart disease, having good self-rated health and feeling useful. As a model, using only these three subcomponents, the association with successful ageing was similar to using the full models. Conclusions Multidimensional successful ageing models were able to predict successful ageing after a 20-year follow-up period. However, according to the backward stepwise logistic regression analysis, the three subcomponents (absence of heart disease, good self-rated health and feeling useful) significantly associated with successful ageing performed as well as the multidimensional successful ageing models in predicting ageing successfully.

Demographic changes have led to an increase in older people in prisons. Whereas the rehabilitative process of younger offenders is geared towards their reintegration into the labour market, successful ageing should be a policy aim for older prisoners. This study explores how older incarcerated persons view their ageing. A qualitative study using a written survey with only the single question What does ageing in prison mean to you? was conducted in Bavaria, Germany. A total of 64 prisoners (61 male, 3 female) supplied answers varying in length from a few words to several pages. The thematic analysis revealed that together with health concerns, social relations and everyday activities, the uncertainty of the future was a central focus point for the older adults in prison. The authors propose that a positive vision of the future needs to be included in any model of successful ageing. If successful ageing is used as an aim for older prisoners, more attention needs to be paid to support interventions during and after the release process.

Background: Falls are common in the elderly and can lead to adverse consequences, like injuries, hospitalization, disability even mortality. Successful ageing emerged in sight to assess physical, psychological and social status of older adults. This study is conducted to explore the association between them in a large Indian community-dwelling population. Methods: Data were based on the wave 1 survey of the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI). People aged 60 and above with complete information were included. The elderly met five standards including absence of chronic diseases, freedom from disability, high cognitive ability, free from depressive symptoms and active social engagement, were classified into successful agers. The assessment of falls, fall-related injuries and multiple falls depended on interview. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to find the associations between falls, fall-injury, multiple falls and successful ageing after adjusting both socio-demographic and biological covariates. The log-likelihood ratio test was calculated interactions in subgroups. Results: 31,345 participants in LASI were finally included in our study. Of them, 20.25% reported fall, and 25% were classified into successful agers. After full adjustment, successful ageing was negatively associated with falls (OR 0.70; 95%CI 0.65–0.76) and multiple falls (OR 0.70; 95%CI 0.63–0.78). And the association did not show the significance in older adults with fall-related injuries (OR 0.86; 95%CI 0.72–1.04). Conclusions: Successful ageing was negatively associated with falls and multiple falls, but not fall-related injuries in older people in India. Future studies are demanded to explore the causal relationship and to reveal the underlying mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Demographic changes have led to an increase in older people in prisons. Whereas the rehabilitative process of younger offenders is geared towards their reintegration into the labour market, successful ageing should be a policy aim for older prisoners. This study explores how older incarcerated persons view their ageing. A qualitative study using a written survey with only the single question What does ageing in prison mean to you? was conducted in Bavaria, Germany. A total of 64 prisoners (61 male, 3 female) supplied answers varying in length from a few words to several pages. The thematic analysis revealed that together with health concerns, social relations and everyday activities, the uncertainty of the future was a central focus point for the older adults in prison. The authors propose that a positive vision of the future needs to be included in any model of successful ageing. If successful ageing is used as an aim for older prisoners, more attention needs to be paid to support interventions during and after the release process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using data from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), linked to administrative data on high-speed broadband availability from infrastructure maps, this study examines patterns of Internet uses and psychosocial outcomes for over 3500 people aged 50 plus across Ireland. High-speed broadband availability is associated with higher reported levels of home Internet access, greater frequency of Internet use and more engagement with Internet activities. Controlling for demographic and socio-economic circumstances, regression models show that quality of life is higher among daily users of the Internet. Little association is found with loneliness. Quality of life is higher among users of Internet-based communication applications such as email and video calls, and there is some evidence that loneliness may be less pronounced among users of these applications. The findings are consistent with the view that digital engagement can enhance the lives of older people and thus may be supportive of policies and interventions to address potential 'grey' digital divides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sense of purpose is seen as a catalyst for successful ageing, predicting a wide range of health outcomes and mortality. However, its role in fostering subjective well-being during old age has received less attention, especially the bidirectional nature of this relationship. The present study examined how sense of purpose predicts and is predicted by subjective well-being in this life stage. Panel data from the Health and Retirement Study (N = 8980) were used, spanning three measurement occasions across eight years. Four subjective well-being indicators (life satisfaction, depression, positive- and negative affect) were modelled with purpose using (random-intercept) cross-lagged panel models to disentangle within-from between-person associations. We found moderate to strong correlated change and some evidence for directional associations between the constructs. Purpose predicted changes in all four subjective well-being markers, and these associations were generally stronger than the effects of subjective well-being on purpose. Within-person changes in sense of purpose predicted subsequent changes in life satisfaction and positive affect, but not in negative affect and depression. In sum, sense of purpose is associated with higher subjective well-being in old age, but efforts to maintain or increase older adults' sense of purpose may only improve positive components of subjective well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines how older Korean and Chinese migrants living in Perth, Australia, engage in various beauty, grooming and fitness practices to negotiate "successful ageing" in transnational contexts. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with 30 men and women aged between 60 and 89, we examine what social meanings are attached to these practices, and how the transnational context of living in Australia has influenced the participants' perceptions of ageing and presentation of self in later life. Migration in later life is often considered in relation to the 'host' countries values and social practices, which can make it difficult for individuals to settle and feel a sense of belonging especially in later life. In this article, we will illustrate how gender, class, and cultural dispositions intersect and link with possibilities for defining and redefining successful ageing in migrant contexts. This study illustrates how successful ageing emerges as a malleable concept that draws on ideas of an ideal ageing body from the cultural values of the 'home' country, rather than the 'host' country. The findings illustrate how in everyday lived experience, the transnational habitus does not always necessarily result in a 'divided habitus' where the values of the 'home' country and that of the 'host' country are in conflict – even when the migration experience is relatively recent. Quite the contrary, the way the participants utilise everyday beauty, fitness and grooming practices to maintain a future-focused self in the context of 'home' country's age-appropriate body ideals to perform signifiers of 'successful migrant living' point to the positive aspects that appearance management can have on an individual in later life, particularly in migrant contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to utilize data-driven machine learning methods to identify and predict potential physical and cognitive function trajectory groups of older adults and determine their crucial factors for promoting active ageing in China. Longitudinal data on 3026 older adults from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity and Happy Family Survey was used to identify potential physical and cognitive function trajectory groups using a group-based multi-trajectory model (GBMTM). Predictors were selected from sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and physical and mental conditions. The trajectory groups were predicted using data-driven machine learning models and dynamic nomogram. Model performance was evaluated by area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUROC), area under the precision-recall curve (PRAUC), and confusion matrix. Two physical and cognitive function trajectory groups were determined, including a trajectory group with physical limitation and cognitive decline (14.18 %) and a normal trajectory group (85.82 %). Logistic regression performed well in predicting trajectory groups (AUROC = 0.881, PRAUC = 0.649). Older adults with lower baseline score of activities of daily living, older age, less frequent housework, and fewer actual teeth were more likely to experience physical limitation and cognitive decline trajectory group. This study didn't carry out external validation. This study shows that GBMTM and machine learning models effectively identify and predict physical limitation and cognitive decline trajectory group. The identified predictors might be essential for developing targeted interventions to promote healthy ageing. • The physical limitation and cognitive decline trajectory group and the normal trajectory group were identified. • Logistic regression models effectively predicted the physical limitation and cognitive decline trajectory group. • A dynamic nomogram was developed for visualizing the probability of the trajectory group. • Lower ADL score, older age, infrequent housework, and fewer actual teeth were risk factors of abnormal trajectory group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Older female celebrities are increasingly visible in popular media culture, but what kinds of representations are being offered? By deploying a feminist intersectional perspective and adopting Multimodal Critical Discourse Analysis (MCDA), this article interrogates how British Vogue's Non-Issue communicates ideas and values about ageing and how the magazine constructs discourses through which women's ageing is understood. The analysis shows that the Non-Issue represents older women as radical and empowered subjects. The rhetoric of freedom and choice, central to postfeminism, is prominent in the magazine and aligns with neoliberal discourses of successful ageing. Such discourses encourage women to confine themselves to never-ending, rigid forms of self-surveillance, self-monitoring and self-disciplining that ultimately subject the older female body to a 'new' set of bodily inscriptions and prescriptions that reinforce patriarchal standards of beauty. These standards of beauty are, however, challenged in the magazine through a recuperated do-it-yourself discourse of punk spirit rebellion that works to commodify women's empowerment, yet still reduces women to how they look. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The UK Government and charity-based initiatives encourage the use of digital devices to improve connectivity and address health care challenges across an escalating, ageing population. However, research on the lived experiences of older adults using technology is limited. The aim of this study is to build on technology paradox theory to provide a greater understanding of older adults' use of digital devices and the associated coping strategies that are adopted. A qualitative approach, employing event-based diaries, reveals functional, social and psychological paradoxes as well as influences on self-worth. The findings also identify how older adults adapt to the challenges of such technology paradoxes by developing novel coping strategies such as, adjusting and acceptance. Furthermore, implications for policy and practice are established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Due to the growing number of disabilities in elderly, Attention to this period of life is essential to be considered. Few studies focused on the physical, mental, disabilities, and disorders affecting the quality of life in elderly people. SA1 is related to various factors influencing the elderly's life. So, the objective of the current study is to build an intelligent system for SA prediction through ANN2 algorithms to investigate better all factors affecting the elderly life and promote them. Methods: This study was performed on 1156 SA and non-SA cases. We applied statistical feature reduction method to obtain the best factors predicting the SA. Two models of ANNs with 5, 10, 15, and 20 neurons in hidden layers were used for model construction. Finally, the best ANN configuration was obtained for predicting the SA using sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and cross-entropy loss function. Results: The study showed that 25 factors correlated with SA at the statistical level of P < 0.05. Assessing all ANN structures resulted in FF-BP3 algorithm having the configuration of 25-15-1 with accuracy-train of 0.92, accuracy-test of 0.86, and accuracy-validation of 0.87 gaining the best performance over other ANN algorithms. Conclusions: Developing the CDSS for predicting SA has crucial role to effectively inform geriatrics and health care policymakers decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Gardening has been shown to have a positive effect on the perceived quality of life of elderly persons. • Though modern Information Technology (IT) solutions can strengthen different care services, these are usually not combined with gardening trials. • The paper presents the summary results of a recent quantitative, pre- and post-test field trial on IT-supported leisure gardening in a European setting. • We found significant improvements in the perceived quality of life of the participants. The study presented in this paper aimed to assess the effect of an Information Technology enabled community gardening program for older adults, developed by an international consortium. We have executed a quantitative, pre- and post-test field trial with older adult volunteers to test the proposed programme in two European countries, Italy and Belgium (n =98). We used standardized and ad hoc questionnaires to measure changes in the volunteers' mental and psychological state during the trial. The statistical data analysis sought for differences in the pre- and post-test values of the key scores related to the perceived quality of life and benefits of gardening via paired-samples t-tests, and also tried to identify the important factors of significant changes via logistic regression. We found significant improvements in the perceived benefits of gardening and also in the scores computed from the WHO Quality of Life instruments, especially in the social sub-domains. The improvements were associated with the country, age, marital state and education of the volunteers. Higher age or being widow, divorced or single increased the odds of a significant improvement in the scores in more than one sub-domains. Though the two trial settings were different in some aspects, the observed significant improvements generally confirmed the positive effects of gardening concerning the perceived quality of life and benefits of gardening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tamil television serials have the potential to elicit a wide variety of emotions in viewers. Emotional control and expression change as individuals age, and this change is interrelated in various ways. Positive or negative emotions, when put into practice by regulating the emotions associated with health, can result in an increase or decrease in lifespan during successful ageing. This study explores the relationship between emotional well-being and prosperous ageing in Tamil television serials among older adults. An exploratory method was adopted to understand the connection between Tamil television serials and emotional well-being for successful ageing in Tamil Nadu (a southern state of India). Fourteen older adults over 50 who watch Tamil television mega-serials from Tamil Nadu were recruited for in-depth interviews. Three themes emerged from the thematic analysis: emotional connection, life satisfaction, fortitude and ageism among older adults. The findings suggest that Tamil television serials provide emotional engagement, companionship and life satisfaction for older adults, contributing to successful ageing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing from ethnographic research and interviews with older North American women who migrated alone to retire in Ecuador, this article grows the body of literature on gender and ageing, examining how these women position themselves within a gender-ageing nexus, contradicting certain gender norms in their attempt to obtain later-life self-fulfilment. Particularly, we examine how this group positions the third age as a time of individual adventure and self-actualisation, challenging normative gender ideals about femininity and care but meeting (many) social expectations to “age well.” We argue that the lifestyles of these women demonstrate new experiments with gendered ageing, facilitated by global inequalities but challenging some normative ideals around femininity and old(er) age.

Background: Vitality is a relatively unresearched concept and defined in existing literature either on the premise of one's functioning, or in terms of feeling alive. There is, however, little known about the significance of a sense of connectedness to life for vitality, especially from the perspective of older adults. This research aims to explore the association between the concept of connectedness and the perspective of vitality as a sense of aliveness, in order to formulate a theoretical understanding grounded in the subjective perceptions that older adults themselves hold of vitality. Methods: Following a constructivist grounded theory approach and theoretical sampling, constant comparative analysis was performed on the transcripts of 15 semi-structured interviews, conducted in the Netherlands with older adults (mean age 73 years, eight females and seven males), regarding their vitality. Concurrently, empirical and theoretical findings were translated into a theoretical conceptualisation. Results: According to the older participants, connecting to life itself enhanced their sense of vitality. This connection was achieved through internal connectedness (connecting to one's own life, intrinsic stimuli and intrinsic goals in an independent manner) and external connectedness (social connectedness, environmental connectedness, engagement with the external world). Furthermore, our findings revealed distinct interactions between internal and external connectedness and facilitating tools, such as freedom from physical constraints, financial freedom and adaptation. Conclusions: Our findings provide a holistic concept of vitality and connectedness and consolidate existing perspectives on vitality into an overarching framework, which can contribute to the development of effective care policy, healthcare interventions and welfare services.

Abstract Background This cross-sectional study evaluated the impacts of functional tooth loss on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among elderly people compared with the impacts of several common indicators of oral health. Additionally, the cut-off of functional tooth loss needed for a better OHRQoL was investigated to establish a new measure for successful oral ageing. Methods Data from people aged 65–74 were extracted from the Fourth National Oral Health Survey in Sichuan, China. Functional tooth loss was defined as both natural tooth loss and nonfunctional teeth, such as third molars, residual roots, and removable dentures. The cut-offs of tooth loss were first identified as 12, based on the previous definition of functional dentition (≥20 natural teeth except the third molars), and 14, 16, or 18 for further investigation. OHRQoL was evaluated by the standardized Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (sGOHAI) score. Logistic regression was performed to estimate the impacts on OHRQoL. Additionally, subgroup analyses were conducted using the stratified chi-square test to explore the effect of functional tooth loss at each position. Results The mean GOHAI score of the 744 participants was 48.25 ± 7.62. Elderly people who had lost ≤12 functional teeth had greater odds of reporting a higher sGOHAI score than those who had lost more functional teeth (odds ratio (OR) 1.49, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05–2.11). No significant difference in the sGOHAI score was detected between people who had lost 13–16 functional teeth and those who had lost ≤12 functional teeth (0.61, 0.35–1.07). The loss of second premolars and first and second molars had great impacts on the sGOHAI score when ≤12 or ≤ 16 functional teeth had been lost. Conclusions Compared with natural tooth loss, functional dentition and occluding pairs, functional tooth loss can be a better indicator of OHRQoL in the elderly population. Sixteen remaining functional teeth seem to be sufficient to maintain good OHRQoL and successful oral ageing despite that number being previously acknowledged as ≥20 teeth.

Abstract Background Lifelong strength is fundamental to physical function, health, and quality of life. Reliable appropriate strength assessment measures for older adults play an important role in effective evaluation of baseline ability and exercise prescription to counter disease and disuse. This study aimed to investigate the within-session reliability of maximal isometric knee extension and flexion, hip abduction and adduction, and handgrip strength measures in frail and pre-frail older adults. Method The study was conducted at a residential care home in Birmingham, UK. All care home residents aged ≥ 65 years; pre-frail or frail according to the Fried Frailty phenotype criteria; able to speak and read English; not currently involved in any other clinical trial; without severe sensory impairments; and with a predicted life expectancy greater than the trial length were eligible. Maximal isometric lower limb testing was performed using specialised resistance training equipment and a portable measurement device, and grip strength was assessed using a portable dynamometer. All eligible participants attended a single testing session and performed three trials per measure. Peak force measures were obtained for analysis. Within-session reliability for each measure was calculated from repeated-measures analysis of variance, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), and coefficients of variation (CV) with 95% confidence intervals. Results Eleven frail and eleven pre-frail older adults participated in the study. Within-session absolute and relative measures were found to be reliable with the highest overall repeatability indicated between trial 2 and trial 3 for knee extension, hip abduction, and handgrip (CV ≤ 4.65%, ICC ≥ 0.96) with variation evident across all measures, except knee extension, from trial 1 to 2. Conclusions Overall, maximal isometric strength in frail and pre-frail older adults with no previous testing experience can be measured with good to high reliability within their first testing session. An initial two familiarisation trials followed by two measurement trials is recommended to achieve the highest level of overall repeatability. Trial registration The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03141879 on 05/05/2017.

Abstract Background With the increasing proportion of older adults in India, it becomes essential to get an insight into the various influencing factors of successful ageing. However, the literature on successful ageing is minuscule in the Indian context. The present study attempted to understand successful ageing in terms of active and productive ageing by exploring their determining factors. Methods The data were extracted from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) Wave–1 (2017–2018). We utilized self-reported time use information from the experimental module of the LASI. A total of 7837 ageing adults were included in the study. We employed descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis and a multinominal logistic regression model to examine the prevalence and the determinants of active and productive ageing. Results The prevalence of inactive ageing was higher among the Indian ageing population (57.47%), followed by active ageing (29.59%) and productive ageing (12.94%). Poor sleep quality and the prevalence of morbidity and disability limited the ageing population from attaining active and productive ageing. Engagement in physical activity was significantly associated with active and productive ageing (β = 0.83, 99% CI: -0.72–0.94 and β = 0.82, 99% CI: 0.66–0.98), respectively. Rural ageing adults were more likely to attain active ageing and less likely to attain productive ageing. Conclusion Engagement in physical activities among the ageing population shall be promoted to attain active and productive ageing. Since the rural ageing population were less likely to attain productive ageing than their urban counterparts, opportunities to participate in more formal economic activities in rural areas could be promoted for the wellbeing of the second demographic dividend.

Abstract Background The concept of ‘successful ageing’ has been a prominent focus within the field of gerontology for several decades. However, despite the widespread attention paid to this concept, its intersectional implications have not been fully explored yet. This paper aims to address this gap by analyzing the potential ageist and ableist biases in the discourse of successful ageing through an intersectional lens. Method A critical feminist perspective is taken to examine the sensitivity of the discourse of successful ageing to diversity in societies. The paper analyzes how ageist and ableist biases can manifest in the ways we conceptualize ageing, drawing on examples in the context of mental health. Results We argue that the conventional approach to successful ageing is limited in its ability to account for the experiences of people who have faced intersectional discrimination throughout their lives. Drawing on examples in the context of mental health, we explore among others the link between depression and disabilities. Furthermore, we shed light on the negative impact of ageist and ableist attitudes concerning the diagnosis and treatment of dementia. Discussion We demonstrate how diversity is often overlooked in discussions of ageing well, and how ageist and ableist biases can manifest in the ways we conceptualize ageing. We argue that focusing solely on the health status as a means of achieving success fails to adequately counter ageism for all people. We further emphasize the role of structural factors, such as ageist attitudes, in shaping the experience of ageing and exacerbating health inequalities. Conclusion Overall, our findings emphasize the need for a more nuanced and inclusive understanding of ageing and therefore an intersectional approach to conceptions of ageing well that recognizes and addresses the biases and limitations of current discourses. Thereby, this paper offers valuable insights into the complex intersections between age and disabilities from a bioethical perspective, highlighting the need for a more inclusive and intersectional approach to ageing.

In the last decades, the scientific interest in ageing has increased due to the progressive ageing of the global population and due to the importance of guaranteeing the elder people and the next generations a good quality of life and biopsychological well-being. However, nowadays, there is not a common and accepted definition of ageing. This situation may refer to the complexity and relevance of the ageing topic and it means that the concept of ageing needs to be understood in a deeper way as a multidimensional and complex process that includes different elements distinctive. The main goal of this review is to explore the definitions and conceptual models of ageing according to a psychological point of view, through a biopsychosocial approach, that integrates biological, psychological, and social aspects with the main goal of a better understanding of the complexity of the process itself. Methods: We conducted a review of the literature through PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases, and we followed the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, analysing papers written in English between 2002 and 2023. Results: The review showed different conceptual models of ageing, including Rowe and Kahn’s successful ageing model, the World Health Organization’s models, and others like the “Selection, Optimization and Compensation” Model. Also, the determinants and predictors of ageing have been analysed highlighting the individual variability and the multidimensional nature of ageing. The geographic diversity of the included studies allowed for the analysis of cultural, socioeconomic, and environmental differences in the conceptualisation of ageing. Conclusions: The results emphasise the importance of targeted interventions and programs aimed at promoting well-being during ageing, considering the complexity and multidimensionality of the ageing process.

BackgroundThe incidence of social isolation among older adults is on the rise in today's health care climate. Consequently, preventing or ameliorating social isolation through technology in this age group is now being discussed as a significant social and health issue.AimThe purpose of the opinion paper is to clarify social transformation through technology and shed light on a new reality for older adults in situations of social isolation. Our goal is to persuade the reader that our position on this topic is a valid one. We support our claims with practice-based evidence and published research studies.MethodsTo do so, we checked the most recent literature, most of which came from the last decade. Our literature survey focused primarily on what is known about technology and how technology can affect social transformation and perceptions of social isolation.FindingsTwo dominant transformative realities became the focal points: the precarious implications of loneliness for older adults and the emerging reality of social change through digital technology central to eHealth and mHealth.DiscussionTo benefit from new technologies and reduce the detrimental effects of social isolation, we must engage older adults in a meaningful way and adapt the system of smart devices to reflect the specific physiological and psychological characteristics of the ageing population.ConclusionOlder adults need to comprehend the meanings of their social experiences to preserve their active lifestyle. Human interactions may be desirable, but technological dominance may also minimize the adverse effects of social isolation.

Studies have shown how generativity, the concern for establishing and guiding the next generation and safeguarding its wellbeing, functions as an intergenerational conduit, bridging the developmental stages of older individuals with those younger. Yet, applications of generativity, as a means to bridge generational gaps within rapid social change, remain underexplored in the intergenerational field. Using Singapore as a case study, and through focus group discussions with 103 older persons, this paper examines how older Singaporeans express their generative concern and internalize their generative capacities across different social settings and rapid socioeconomic transformation. Mismatch between older Singaporeans’ generative concern and capacity contributes to ambivalence – mixed feelings about guiding younger generations – which emerges out of older Singaporeans’ struggles with cultural change prompted by economic progress, as well as concerns about their place and value in a technologically advanced global city-state. The concept of generative ambivalence can add value to policy perspectives on intergenerational cohesion, as it considers people’s attempts to forge commonalities and mutual reciprocity despite differences (e.g. gender, age, race, skills), as well as highlights intergenerational complexities beyond superficial binaries. Policies aimed at bringing generations together must be intentional in creating opportunity structures that go beyond categorical differences, where multiple generations can thrive interdependently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This cross-sectional study evaluated the impacts of functional tooth loss on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among elderly people compared with the impacts of several common indicators of oral health. Additionally, the cut-off of functional tooth loss needed for a better OHRQoL was investigated to establish a new measure for successful oral ageing. Methods: Data from people aged 65–74 were extracted from the Fourth National Oral Health Survey in Sichuan, China. Functional tooth loss was defined as both natural tooth loss and nonfunctional teeth, such as third molars, residual roots, and removable dentures. The cut-offs of tooth loss were first identified as 12, based on the previous definition of functional dentition (≥20 natural teeth except the third molars), and 14, 16, or 18 for further investigation. OHRQoL was evaluated by the standardized Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (sGOHAI) score. Logistic regression was performed to estimate the impacts on OHRQoL. Additionally, subgroup analyses were conducted using the stratified chi-square test to explore the effect of functional tooth loss at each position. Results: The mean GOHAI score of the 744 participants was 48.25 ± 7.62. Elderly people who had lost ≤12 functional teeth had greater odds of reporting a higher sGOHAI score than those who had lost more functional teeth (odds ratio (OR) 1.49, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05–2.11). No significant difference in the sGOHAI score was detected between people who had lost 13–16 functional teeth and those who had lost ≤12 functional teeth (0.61, 0.35–1.07). The loss of second premolars and first and second molars had great impacts on the sGOHAI score when ≤12 or ≤ 16 functional teeth had been lost. Conclusions: Compared with natural tooth loss, functional dentition and occluding pairs, functional tooth loss can be a better indicator of OHRQoL in the elderly population. Sixteen remaining functional teeth seem to be sufficient to maintain good OHRQoL and successful oral ageing despite that number being previously acknowledged as ≥20 teeth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lifelong strength is fundamental to physical function, health, and quality of life. Reliable appropriate strength assessment measures for older adults play an important role in effective evaluation of baseline ability and exercise prescription to counter disease and disuse. This study aimed to investigate the within-session reliability of maximal isometric knee extension and flexion, hip abduction and adduction, and handgrip strength measures in frail and pre-frail older adults. Method: The study was conducted at a residential care home in Birmingham, UK. All care home residents aged ≥ 65 years; pre-frail or frail according to the Fried Frailty phenotype criteria; able to speak and read English; not currently involved in any other clinical trial; without severe sensory impairments; and with a predicted life expectancy greater than the trial length were eligible. Maximal isometric lower limb testing was performed using specialised resistance training equipment and a portable measurement device, and grip strength was assessed using a portable dynamometer. All eligible participants attended a single testing session and performed three trials per measure. Peak force measures were obtained for analysis. Within-session reliability for each measure was calculated from repeated-measures analysis of variance, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), and coefficients of variation (CV) with 95% confidence intervals. Results: Eleven frail and eleven pre-frail older adults participated in the study. Within-session absolute and relative measures were found to be reliable with the highest overall repeatability indicated between trial 2 and trial 3 for knee extension, hip abduction, and handgrip (CV ≤ 4.65%, ICC ≥ 0.96) with variation evident across all measures, except knee extension, from trial 1 to 2. Conclusions: Overall, maximal isometric strength in frail and pre-frail older adults with no previous testing experience can be measured with good to high reliability within their first testing session. An initial two familiarisation trials followed by two measurement trials is recommended to achieve the highest level of overall repeatability. Trial registration: The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03141879 on 05/05/2017. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: A consistent approach to defining cognitive super‐ageing is needed to increase the value of research insights that may be gained from studying this population including ageing well and preventing and treating neurodegenerative conditions. This review aims to evaluate the existing definitions of 'super‐ageing' with a focus on cognition. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO and Google Scholar from inception to 24 July 2023. Results: Of 44 English language studies that defined super‐ageing from a cognitive perspective in older adults (60–97 years), most (n = 33) were based on preserved verbal episodic memory performance comparable to that of younger adult in age range 16–65 years. Eleven studies defined super‐agers as the top cognitive performers for their age group based upon standard deviations or percentiles above the population mean. Only nine studies included longitudinal cognitive performance in their definitions. Conclusions: Equivalent cognitive abilities to younger adults, exceptional cognition for age and a lack of cognitive deterioration over time are all meaningful constructs and may provide different insights into cognitive ageing. Using these criteria in combination or individually to define super‐agers, with a clear rationale for which elements have been selected, could be fit for purpose depending on the research question. However, major discrepancies including the age range of super‐agers and comparator groups and the choice of cognitive domains assessed should be addressed to reach some consensus in the field. Key points: There is no uniform definition of super‐ageing or cognitive super‐ageingMost studies define cognitive super‐ageing based on verbal memoryProposed definition should include other cognitive domains, stability over time and functionAn agreed definition would support a collaborative approach for associated factors and studying this group may highlight strategies to combat cognitive decline [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

South Asians are the largest and fastest-growing racialized group in Canada, yet there are limited data on various aspects of health and well-being within this population. This includes the South Asian older adults' ethnoculturally informed perceptions of ageing. The study aimed to understand how social and cultural forces impact the meaning assigned to healthy ageing amongst older South Asians in Canada. We recruited with purposeful and snowball sampling strategies in Southern Ontario. We conducted in-depth focus group and individual interviews (n = 19) in five South Asian languages, employing a multilingual and cross-cultural qualitative approach. In our analysis, we identified three central themes: (a) taking care of body (b) taking care of mind and heart and (c) healthy ageing through the integration of mind and body. Our study demonstrates that older immigrants are a diverse and heterogeneous population and that their conception of healthy ageing is strongly influenced by their country of origin. This study also demonstrates how racialized foreign-born older adults might provide distinctive perspectives on the ageing process and on social theories of ageing due to their simultaneous immersion in and belonging to global majority and global minority cultures. This research also adds to the limited body of literature on the theories of ageing, despite migration trends, still has a white-centric lens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ageing is an inevitable aspect of life and thus successful ageing is an important focus of recent scientific efforts. The biological process of ageing is mediated through the interaction of genes with environmental factors, increasing the body's susceptibility to insults. Elucidating this process will increase our ability to prevent and treat age-related disease and consequently extend life expectancy. Notably, centenarians offer a unique perspective on the phenomenon of ageing. Current research highlights several age-associated alterations on the genetic, epigenetic and proteomic level. Consequently, nutrient sensing and mitochondrial function are altered, resulting in inflammation and exhaustion of regenerative ability. Oral health, an important contributor to overall health, remains underexplored in the context of extreme longevity. Good masticatory function ensures sufficient nutrient uptake, reducing morbidity and mortality in old age. The relationship between periodontal disease and systemic inflammatory pathologies is well established. Diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular disease are among the most significant disease burdens influenced by inflammatory oral health conditions. Evidence suggests that the interaction is bi-directional, impacting progression, severity and mortality. Current models of ageing and longevity neglect an important factor in overall health and well-being, a gap that this review intends to illustrate and inspire avenues for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The concept of 'successful ageing' has been a prominent focus within the field of gerontology for several decades. However, despite the widespread attention paid to this concept, its intersectional implications have not been fully explored yet. This paper aims to address this gap by analyzing the potential ageist and ableist biases in the discourse of successful ageing through an intersectional lens. Method: A critical feminist perspective is taken to examine the sensitivity of the discourse of successful ageing to diversity in societies. The paper analyzes how ageist and ableist biases can manifest in the ways we conceptualize ageing, drawing on examples in the context of mental health. Results: We argue that the conventional approach to successful ageing is limited in its ability to account for the experiences of people who have faced intersectional discrimination throughout their lives. Drawing on examples in the context of mental health, we explore among others the link between depression and disabilities. Furthermore, we shed light on the negative impact of ageist and ableist attitudes concerning the diagnosis and treatment of dementia. Discussion: We demonstrate how diversity is often overlooked in discussions of ageing well, and how ageist and ableist biases can manifest in the ways we conceptualize ageing. We argue that focusing solely on the health status as a means of achieving success fails to adequately counter ageism for all people. We further emphasize the role of structural factors, such as ageist attitudes, in shaping the experience of ageing and exacerbating health inequalities. Conclusion: Overall, our findings emphasize the need for a more nuanced and inclusive understanding of ageing and therefore an intersectional approach to conceptions of ageing well that recognizes and addresses the biases and limitations of current discourses. Thereby, this paper offers valuable insights into the complex intersections between age and disabilities from a bioethical perspective, highlighting the need for a more inclusive and intersectional approach to ageing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the marketing of trending green cosmetic products containing natural ingredients and coming with claims to keep skin health-enhancing and age-defying benefits. This is fostered by the growing importance of successful ageing and the neoliberal self-care agenda. Adopting the notion of "integrated design" from Multimodal Critical Discourse Analysis (MCDA), this paper looks at the communicative affordances of the web and how marketers of "green" cosmetics connect these to science. The analysis shows that the integrated design of the webpages allows cosmetic companies to connote science while glossing over significant details, leaving causalities, classifications, and processes unspecified. This marketing frames fighting the "look" of ageing as a moral and ethical consumption choice. Such choices relate to self-care regimes of a "successful" neoliberal citizenship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Healthy ageing (HA) indices typically use full questionnaire, performance- or blood-based assessment of functional ability which are time-consuming and resource-intensive. We developed and validated a simple and brief Healthy Ageing Questionnaire (HAQ) index with comparable measurement accuracy. Methods: The 15-item HAQ (scored 0–100) was developed using data of 500 participants in the Singapore Study of Successful Ageing (SSOSA), a sub-cohort of the Singapore Longitudinal Ageing Study (SLAS-2). Its construct, concurrent, and predictive validity were evaluated in 2,161 participants in the SLAS-2 who were non-participants of the SSOSA. Results: The HAQ index (mean = 64.0, SD = 11.8) showed a coherent 3-factor structure (Cronbach's alpha = 0.735). HAQ scores were higher among participants who were female, highly educated, not living alone, non-smoking, non-alcohol drinkers, not at risk of malnutrition, were robust or pre-frail, not disabled, had no or <5 medical conditions, and no recent fall or hospitalization. It was positively correlated with Mini-Mental State Examination and life satisfaction, and negatively correlated with age, logMAR vision, 5 times sit-and-stand, and timed-up-and-go. The HAQ index was significantly correlated but showed modest concordance with the Rowe-Kahn SA index. Increasing HAQ index quintiles were associated with decreased mortality risks from 40.6 to 9.7 deaths per 1,000 person-years; covariate-adjusted hazard ratio for the highest Q5 levels (HAQ score >70) was 0.44 (95% CI = 0.28–0.67). Using receiver operating characteristics analysis of predictive accuracy for survival, the area under the curve of HAQ was 0.675, and Rowe-Kahn SA index was 0.660 (p = 0.361). Conclusion: The HAQ is a brief and accurate HA index that is potentially useful across diverse settings and purposes in research, healthcare, and policy-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existing research tries to understand the reasons for discontinuing sex in later life with the assumption that people want to be sexual. Although the growing body of literature informs that sex remains an integral part of older adults' lives, a substantial number of older adults declare not being sexually active. This study aimed at exploring motives for deliberately choosing sexual inactivity among older women. Semi-structured interviews with 16 Polish women (aged 65–82) were thematically analysed in relation to the sexual scripts theory and the participants' specific socio-cultural background. Three main themes regarding the reasons for cessation of their sex life were identified: 'I am glad that sex does not concern me anymore', 'I am satisfied with my memories' and 'The right one' or no one. The results indicate that some women give up sex for good, with no regrets or feeling of a loss; for others, it may be a temporary decision, its duration dependent on meeting the right partner. Developing sexual agency may encourage discontinuing their sex life – a choice perceived as optimal and liberating. Personal factors and the memories of marital relationships seem to shape older women's (a)sexual expectations. Acknowledging these nuances may contribute to a better understanding of older women's sexual functioning; implications for consideration in further research and practice are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we develop a tentative philosophy to orchestrate and support possibilities for artful ageing. This effort argues that older adults need a broader range of opportunities to explore the manifold ephemeral, non-rational, and in-between elements of an ageing life. The philosophy is rooted in the notion that older adults need space (literally and metaphorically) to explore and process their existence and that engaging in such processes can entail emancipatory effects in everyday life. The perspective unfolded throughout the article is a philosophical venture, or, rather, a preliminary work, developing the concept of artful ageing as a tool applicable in rethinking and broadening the range of activities occurring in institutional settings dedicated to older adults. Furthermore, the perspective also presents a critical stance towards normative footings and biopolitical agendas embedded in current regimes of active ageing. Artful ageing represents the ambition to enable and support artful lives, events, and activities among residents and participants in care homes and other contexts. We argue that physical and existential spaces are closely intertwined entities and that initiatives aimed at maintaining adequate measures of openness, ambiguity, and sensory intimacy, i.e., events that allow for the experience of metaphorical cracks, can afford artful pockets in which to reside for a while, seek refuge, recharge, stray from the beaten track, and obtain an always partial feeling of emancipation. In qualifying the concept of artful ageing, we hope to open new avenues to contemplate and subsequently initiate activities for older adults that are not just orientated towards physical health in later life. At the same time, our ambition is to develop a critical perspective aimed at challenging existing notions of successful ageing in (re)invigorating the importance of artful processes and experiences as an element inherent to successful ageing, as well.