Making Sense of Extreme Longevity: Explorations Into the Spiritual Lives of Centenarians

Abstract

As older adults live into advanced age the oldest-old segment will continue to increase in size. In this study, we analyze data gathered using in-depth interviewing and explore spirituality for 16 centenarians. Results show the importance spirituality has for older adults, particularly those in advanced age. Our findings indicate that spirituality is a key factor of support, an important resource in late life, and maintains continuity over the life course for the centenarians. Our findings support the need for researchers and practitioners to consider the importance of spirituality in late life, particularly for those in their last decades.

Keywords:

• religion/spirituality
• aging
• grounded theory
• God

Acknowledgments

The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and publication of this article by NIH [grant 5T32 AG00029-35]. We would like to thank Dr. Lisa Groger at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, for her guidance, mentorship, and willingness to share these data.