How can we classify that a person has aged successfully? What is considered successful? Is the absence of a certain condition or disease considered successful aging?

Successful is defined as accomplishing an aim or purpose, while Aging is to grow old. When we combine these words, successful aging is considered growing old and had been able to accomplish something. Successful aging is individualized, it varies from one person to the other but there may be certain things that are common in aging successfully.

The Aging Theory proposed that successful aging could be achieved by staying engaged in life, as well as being physically and mentally active. Reaching 60 does not have a red light that means STOP being active, you need to rest rather it has this green light that would signal to GO and continue life, and maintain being engaged in social and physical activities having a consideration in your health.

Those people who have aged successfully are those that are resilient and can roll with the waves of life. These people can truly accept the fact that currently they are in the aging process, and whatever conditions or disease they may have, they would still optimize their abilities and are able to continue moving forward. It doesn’t necessarily means that you should be the most physically fit person beyond your years but it is when a person had stroke for more than 3 times and is still fighting, and does things in her capabilities to optimize her function.

As I have mentioned in the first second paragraph that successful aging has certain common characteristics present, some of these are:

1. OPTIMISTIC – Let’s take Colonel Sanders as an example. He was over 60 when he made it big with Kentucky Fried Chicken. But before he made it, his business was close to failing yet he believed that he could do it. Instead of him despairing, somehow he adapted.

Being an older person does not mean that you would just let problems eat you alive rather you think positively and adapt new ways, ideas that could help you cope with your problems.

2. PERSISTENCE – Kathryn Joosten – she started as a nurse and then a housewife. When her marriage failed, she chase her own dreams of becoming an actress – even though many thought that she was too old for acting, she still persisted in making her name shine in the business. It took her several years and was almost 60 when she finally had the success she deserved for her never-ending persistence.

Being persistent is being able to firmly continue what you’ve been doing despite the opposing factors and being old never means that you should always listen to what others may dictate you rather you find within you the persistence to continue to do what you want and be able to succeed in it though you should bear in mind your health and well-being.

3. CREATIVITY – Peter Roget showed us that it is never too late to make earth-shattering inventions, such as the Thesaurus he invented at the age of 73. Suffering from OCD, he did not see this as a hindrance rather he used it to succeed, as the only thing that can calm him down was making random lists – he made an infinite list of synonymous words that gave birth to Thesaurus.

Creative and persistence comes hand in hand – being creative in a way, you also should be persistent

enough to push through what you had done for the good. Older persons may tend to have changes in their perception and coordination, as well as other areas, therefore their families as well nurses that take care of them should help them be creative enough in making ways on how they could perform their activities of daily living as normal as ever and with ease and comfort. Creativity does not stop when you reach middle-age nor old-age, rather it gives you the chance to be more creative.

4. SOCIALLY ACTIVE – as proposed by the Activity theory, older people needs to be socially as well as physically active to achieve successful aging. It doesn’t mean that as we age, older people should withdraw from their social bonds or network rather stays involved in social activities and issues as well as stay connected with friends your age. Studies have shown that those who

engage in healthy lifestyles, maintain their social bonds, and remain active beyond their years are less likely to have conditions or diseases and would maintain their functions.

5. HEALTHY LIFESTYLE – as we age, we tend to be more conscious in what we eat or do. Older individuals have this opportunity to refine their previous lifestyles and engage in healthy ones. It is a chance to cease smoking and drinking alcoholic drinks and divert activities into something that could benefit you.

6. SELF-EFFICACY – how one views himself/herself in later life influences their perception of well-being. Those with strong self-efficacy are more apt to retain control, feel competent, have compassion, maintain a sense of humor and see opportunities in every challenge that he/she encounters. It is how one approaches life or define their roles may affect how satisfied they feel. Some may react to life through the eyes of other people rather than advocating for own values and roles. Hence, some older adults may define how successful they are through the criteria and judgment of others. Those older adults who have extraordinary talents (who can dance, weight train, climb mountains, write books, etc.) does not do it to attract attention rather maintain their free will, self-mastery and creativity so that other people would not regard them as old, dependent and needy.

7. EXERCISE REGULARY – for centuries, studies had showed us that brain cells do not grow. However, a study was conducted to test differences in brain growth involving mices. Those who ran the wheel for hours daily exhibited a remarkable cell growth. "The brain may be more capable of self repair than we think,” Dr. Henriete van Praag, the author of the study said.

"Time may make you older, but perhaps workouts make you wiser" -- Health Magazine, (1999).

8. SATISFACTION – When you age, you may be considered to age successfully when you are able to be satisfied by what your life had been and achieved your aims and purposes.

These are among some of the common characteristics that those who have aged successfully would possess. Another question that needs answer is this: Is the absence of a certain condition or disease considered successful aging?

The absence of having a condition or disease when you age is part of having a successful aging although those who may have conditions or disease may still be considered having a successful aging when they met the other factors that would consider a successful aging. This would include improved physical health, financial security, productivity, independence, coping well and optimistic, and staying involved in activities and socially interacting with people who brings support. Successful aging therefore is not having the presence nor the absence of a condition or disease rather it is how you cope with it, how positive your outlook may be and having the support system through it all.

You see, one is never too young or too old to be considered successful or to be able to make a huge change or difference in this world. It all boils down on your attitude and behaviour – if you believe in yourself that you could do it, are willing to put in all the efforts and hard works needed to make that dreams turned into reality, and then it is never too early or too late for success.

One of the Missourians claim, "If I'm alive, I'm successful!"