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ABSTRACT
Based on the theoretical model of selection, optimisation, and compensation (SOC) the current study uses a phenomenological approach to examine life-satisfaction, compensatory strategies, and religion in a sample of Jewish near centenarians and centenarians, a population underrepresented in research on the elderly. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sample of 30 near centenarians and centenarians ranging in age from 95 to 106. Qualitative results yielded several themes infused with compensatory, cultural, and religious process features including (1) maintaining connections with family, friends, and God, (2) saving money, (3) being able to continue activities, (4) consistency, (5) feeling useful, (6) remaining positive and kind, (7) having independence. The study highlights culture-specific features of life-satisfaction and unique compensatory strategies employed by oldest old as they attempt to maintain activity and well-being.
Acknowledgements
All procedures performed in this study involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional ethics committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. This research was supported by The State of Israel, Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption the Center for Absorption in Science and the QWeMa Group, Division of Gerontology, Toronto, Canada. The author would like to thank Dr Chaya Milevsky and Dr Moshe Milevsky for assistance in data collection.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).