New research from UNSW’s Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) has explored the views of older adults on what constitutes ‘super-ageing’.
The study, published in the Activities, Adaptation & Aging and led by geriatrician, Dr Alice Powell, has found that older peoples’ opinions differ from existing research literature, which has been primarily focused upon cognitive abilities.
The new study was the first of its kind to examine the perspectives of older adults themselves on ‘super-ageing’.
“Our aim was to explore their views on ‘super-ageing’, what this constitutes and what components are important,” said Dr Powell. “We looked at what factors made super-ageing possible, how it might be measured and what associated outcomes were meaningful.”
Although the risk of cognitive decline and dementia increases with age, it is not an inevitable part of ageing and gaining greater understanding of ‘super-agers’ may assist researchers in preventing and treating diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Dr Powell conducted interviews and focus groups with 39 Australian community members aged between 65 and 101 living independently and without cognitive symptoms or a diagnosis of dementia. Participants identified a number of key elements of super-ageing including high levels of activity – both physical and mental, ability, health and social engagement. A positive attitude to ageing rated highly as a factor in super-ageing, with an interesting point that super-ageing status should be personalised in the context of background, opportunities and relative aptitudes.
The new study expands on previous work from CHeBA that highlighted the complexities in understanding this concept without a clear definition of super-ageing.
“With no current gold standard definition, it is difficult to determine which components are key and whether it is even something older people strive for,” said Dr Powell. “There is no consensus at what age super-ageing starts or what specific abilities constitute super-ageing. Asking older adults for their views provides meaningful information in the quest to define super-ageing.”
Up until now, researchers have used the term super-ager to describe an elite group of older people with exceptional cognitive abilities.
Although cognition was deemed very important by participants – many of whom would be super-agers using the traditional definition – they also rated functional independence as highly relevant to ‘super-ageing’ and measurable.
Participants felt that the term described older individuals who kept busy, were involved in the community, and had the means or skills to do so. Attitude was considered particularly important and linked with the motivation to seek out new experiences and activities, to maintain good health and adapt to challenging circumstances.
In approximate order of importance, the participants categorised super-ageing into attitude, cognitive or mental abilities, physical abilities, social or community engagement, health and longevity.
“Super-ageing is not something that can be achieved or maintained by all older individuals but a better understanding of the characteristics of such an exceptional group may provide clues as to how individuals and societies age successfully,” said Dr Powell.
Future research may focus on concepts of physical and social super-ageing and how these relate to high level cognitive abilities.
“Our participants’ identification of individual attitudes as modifiable drivers of activity and behaviour and the importance of continued engagement within the community also warrant further investigation,” said Dr Powell.
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