The meaning of successful aging among older adults with long-term disabilities

Abstract

In this study, I explore the meaning of successful aging among older adults with long-term disabilities. The study is a review of scholarly literature on the subject of successful aging, with a specific focus on older adults with long-term disabilities. The objective is to shed light on the issue by critically examining what research exists and what research is still needed. The purpose of this study was to investigate the following question: What does it mean for an older adult with long-term disability to age successfully? Seven older adults with sensory impairment, either deaf, hearing impaired, blind, visually impaired or a combination of these, were interviewed using qualitative phenomenological research methods. Findings include themes of aging as inevitable, frequent activity, social and family interaction as essential, sense of worth, acceptance of disability, coping and resilience as well as advice to others.