A qualitative description of successful aging through different decades of older adulthood

ABSTRACTObjective: To qualitatively examine factors that contribute to successful aging during different decades of older adulthood.Methods: Fundamental qualitative description was adopted as the methodological framework. Through purposeful sampling, 42 community dwelling older adults (mean age = 79.6 years, age range = 65–97 years; 19 males) were recruited. Focus groups (6) segmented by decade of life were conducted with participants 65–74 (n = 17) and 75–84 (n = 17) years of age. Semi-structured interviews (16) were conducted with four participants from each decade, as well as participants 85 years of age and older (n = 8). Data analyses were conducted independently for each decade of life and included inductive analysis of textual data through continuous comparisons of meaning units.Results: Three primary themes related to successful aging were identified across all decades of older adulthood: (1) staying healthy (secondary themes: genetics and lifestyle choices), (2) maintaining an active engagement i...