A groundbreaking Canadian study has shed light on the resilience and potential for recovery among older adults. The research, conducted by the University of Toronto, revealed that nearly 25% of individuals aged 60 and above who initially reported poor well-being were able to achieve optimal well-being within a span of three years.
Lead researcher Mabel Ho, a recent doctoral graduate from the University of Toronto’s Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work and the Institute of Life Course and Aging, emphasized the significance of modifiable lifestyle and psychosocial factors in shaping healthy aging trajectories. The study defined optimal well-being as the absence of severe physical, cognitive, mental, or emotional conditions that impede daily functioning, coupled with high levels of self-reported physical health, mental well-being, happiness, and overall life satisfaction.
The key findings of the study highlighted the importance of psychological and emotional wellness, healthy body weight, regular physical activity, adequate sleep, non-smoking habits, and social engagement in facilitating the recovery and achievement of optimal well-being among older adults. These factors played a crucial role in the participants’ ability to bounce back and thrive despite facing challenges related to health and well-being.
Senior author Esme Fuller-Thomson, Director of the Institute for Life Course & Aging and Professor at the University of Toronto’s Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, underscored the need for aging-related policies and programs that prioritize holistic wellness and recognize the potential for recovery among older adults. The study, published in the journal PLOS One, analyzed data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) to identify factors associated with successful aging among individuals aged 60 and above.
The researchers hope that the findings of this study will reshape societal perceptions of aging and encourage the development of supportive environments, resources, and services that enable older adults to not only survive but thrive after facing health or well-being challenges. By highlighting the possibilities for reclaiming wellness and achieving optimal well-being, this study aims to inspire a positive and proactive approach to aging that celebrates resilience, recovery, and the potential for growth in later life.
