The Secrets to Aging Well: Animal Interactions, Social Connections, Volunteerism, and More

ABSTRACT

This editorial synthesizes the findings of eight studies in the latest issue of Activities, Adaptation & Aging: Dignified and Purposeful Living for Older Adults. The findings encapsulate the factors that contribute to aging well and improving the quality of life for older adults, including active leisure participation, adopting leisure activities, animal interactions, community center involvement, individualized information, mental and physical well-being strategies, social resources and support, and volunteering. These factors not only inform practitioners working with older adults but also provide insights for individuals seeking to age well. The resilience of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic is also discussed, emphasizing the importance of speaking positively about aging.

KEYWORDS:

• Aging well
• Community center
• Individualized information
• Leisure activities
• Mental well-being
• Physical well-being
• Quality of life
• Social connections
• Source resources and support
• Volunteerism

Introduction

Aging well is a complex and multidimensional process involving physical, mental, and social factors (Bowman & Lim, 2022; Lim & Bowman, 2023; Lim, 2022). As the global population ages, understanding the determinants of aging well and improving the quality of life for older adults has become increasingly important (Lee et al., 2020; Lim & Bowman, 2022a, 2022b; Tang et al., 2022). As part of the latest issue of Activities, Adaptation & Aging: Dignified and Purposeful Living for Older Adults, this editorial reviews eight recent studies that investigate various factors contributing to aging well, providing insights for practitioners and individuals alike.

Hot off the press

Chun et al. (2023) investigated leisure participation patterns and their influence on the physical and mental health of community-dwelling older adults. They used a nonhierarchical K-means cluster analysis to identify three clusters: Ardent Achievers, Physical Enthusiasts, and Easy Contenders. A multivariate analysis of covariance assessed differences in depression, body mass index, perceived mental health, and happiness across these clusters. Ardent Achievers had the highest frequency for going out for entertainment, sports events, exercising, volunteering, and visiting family or friends. This group also had the highest perceived mental health and happiness scores and the lowest depressive symptoms scores, and they were more actively involved in volunteering than the other two groups. Physical Enthusiasts scored high on physical activity items, such as working in the garden and doing physical exercise, and had the lowest body mass index. Easy Contenders scored lower in all leisure participation dimensions than the other two groups.

Hodgson et al. (2023) assessed the impact of HenPower, an innovative approach involving older adults with dementia in care homes participating in hen-keeping and hen-related creative activities. They conducted a nested qualitative study using observation of 29 older adults living in six UK care homes and 25 staff individual and small-group interviews. Five positive themes emerged: ongoing meaningful engagement with hens, self-expression through creative activities, improved mood and participation, enhanced social interaction, and an improved living environment. The hens provided a focus for older adults, a point of mutual interest, and a gateway to participation in other sessions such as art.

Kim et al. (2023) sought to conceptualize and test a model for aging well through comprehensive questionnaires with 554 older adults, using the aging well construct (Hawkins, 2000, 2005), a third-order measurement model that includes five sub-dimensions. The researchers argued that aging well is not an outcome at any given time but a process of adjusting to loss and gain throughout the entire lifespan. Social resources and support were found to be the strongest domain constructs influencing people’s aging well, followed by physical health and functional status, daily life activity, mental efficacy, and material security. The five dimensions serve as diagnostic tools that provide practical information about older adults’ needs, highlighting which factors are strong and which are weak, offering ideas for individuals and practitioners in planning for healthy and seamless aging.

Laver et al. (2023) aimed to identify sensory preferences and aversions in older adults with cognitive changes, developing the Sensory Preferences and Aversions questionnaire for the Care of older adults with dementia in residential Environments (SPACE) tool. The 11-question tool was used with 56 older adults, revealing the importance of understanding unique-to-the-individual detailed information. This data supports the international culture change movement to provide individualized care planning, which can decrease stress. The study showed that older adults commonly reported feeling connected with friends and family, relaxing with a warm or cold drink, engaging in activities of interest, and being reassured by staff as helpful.

Lee (2023) examined the association of volunteering with loneliness and quality of life, using a regression analysis of data from the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). The study found that volunteer and charity activities were positively and significantly associated with quality of life. Noteworthily, volunteering played a significant role in mediating the association between loneliness and quality of life. As many older adults experience a loss of social roles over their lives due to retirement or family structure changes, volunteering can provide opportunities for developing new social roles, a sense of reciprocation, and purpose in life.

Prentice et al. (2023) conducted an integrative review of the literature on the interrelation between leisure, sense of home, and identity for older adults moving to new residences. The thematic analysis of 17 studies demonstrated that older adults continued, adapted, and changed their leisure activities – freely chosen activities that meet personal interests – during the transition. They negotiated changes to the self and environment, which helped maintain their sense of identity and establish a sense of home in their new residence. One caution emerged from the analysis: a cultural or institutional pressure to actively participate in the new home’s community could place blame on older adults who chose not to participate.

Timmermans et al. (2023) investigated the impact of older adults participating in an Aging Well Program (AWP), using interpretative phenomenological analysis to explore their unique lived experiences of the program’s long-term benefits. The study identified three themes of benefits: (1) Using strategies to keep the mind alert; (2) Knowing what to do to improve physical well-being; and (3) Feeling connected and making new friends. The first two themes focused on specific cognitive or physical strategies, while the third emphasized the importance of social connections. The AWP intentionally placed older adults in small groups based on similarities in capabilities and goals, and older adults were encouraged to socialize during breaks. These aspects appeared to improve older adults’ understanding of the benefits of socialization and increase their social confidence and engagement in the next year following the initiative. The study showed that AWP, with its emphasis on mental and physical well-being strategies, social connections, and leisure activities, is an effective way to promote aging well and enhance the quality of life among older adults.

Woleman et al. (2023) sought to understand the experiences of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic and the supportive role of local community centers. They conducted a descriptive study using online and telephone surveys with 265 older adults in a large Canadian city. While quality of life and community connection declined and loneliness scores increased, resilience emerged as a strong theme. Older adults identified many positive coping behaviors, including increased exercise and walking, focusing on what they have rather than what they lack, reconnecting with people, learning technology, and chatting with neighbors. Lessons for community centers include active outreach, using technology, and providing consistent, supportive communication with members.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the eight studies presented shed light on the various factors that contribute to aging well and enhancing the quality of life for older adults. There is notable overlap among the findings, which can inform older adults, their caregivers, and healthcare professionals. Key factors include:

• Active leisure participation: Frequent engagement in entertainment, exercise, social visits, sports events, and volunteering contributes to better mental and physical health.

• Adapting leisure activities: Older adults continuing, adapting, and changing their leisure activities during transitions helps maintain a sense of identity and establish a sense of home in new residences, an important implication that contributes toward older adults’ aging in a place of choice.

• Animal interactions: Real animals, including chickens, have numerous positive outcomes for older adults.

• Community center involvement: Engaging with a community center helps improve quality of life and reduces loneliness.

• Individualized information: Discovering unique-to-the-individual details, such as sensory preferences and aversions, facilitates person-/self-/resident-directed life and living.¹

• Mental and physical well-being strategies: Using strategies to keep the mind alert, knowing how to maintain physical wellbeing, and fostering connections with others are essential.

• Social resources and support: Factors such as amount of social support, closeness of friends and family, living arrangements, marital status, perceived loneliness, and satisfaction with relationships all play a significant role in aging well.

• Volunteering: Developing a new social role, purpose in life, and sense of reciprocation can decrease loneliness and improve quality of life.

Last but not least, it is crucial to acknowledge and celebrate the resilience of older adults, as evidenced during the pandemic. Those involved in the field of aging must promote a positive view of aging and champion the strengths and capabilities of older adults. If we, who are part of the field of aging, do not speak well of aging, who will?

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. In light of recent discussions on language use within the field of aging (Bowman & Lim, 2021), we would like to emphasize the importance of focusing on “living” rather than solely on “care.” Terms like “clinical care,” “medical care,” and “person-centered care” are prevalent, while the aspect of “living” often seems to fade into the background. By promoting the usage of terms such as “person-directed life and living,” “self-directed life and living,” and “resident-directed life and living,” we can better emphasize the agency and vitality of older adults, and encourage a more holistic and respectful approach within our field.