Betty
Grandparents
Raising
Grandchildren
at the Center on Aging Studies
Without Walls
This section is a
cooperative effort of the Center on Aging Studies at the University of
Missouri-Kansas City, and University of Missouri Outreach and Extension.
The gerontologists responsible for this site would like to thank the field
staff, particularly the Elderly Issues Base Program Team of University
Outreach and Extension for their time, interest, input and generous support.
Since Robert Havighurst introduced the term "Successful Aging" in a 1961 article for The Gerontologist, scientists have become increasingly interested in how to age well. With increased longevity and healthier lifestyles, older adults are featured in positive ways almost daily in the media.
A strong motivation for the creation of this section on successful aging came from a retired gentleman in rural Missouri who attended a workshop on caregiving, and asked, "What is out there for those of us who want to stay healthy and active?"This information on successful aging is intended for use with many audiences. It is written for all adults interested in aging well. Site users may refer to this for information, inspiration or resources.
Our special focus is on those who need assistance in solving the everyday problems they face with increasing frequency as they age.Diversity is a key to all facets of successful aging. Its definitions and components will vary by how they are perceived. Populations differ within and among themselves.Professionals and paraprofessionals, such as those within University of Missouri System Outreach and Extension, will find this information helpful as they work with older adults, and as they prepare themselves for aging well.
Differences in groups and individuals set the stage for the way the Center on Aging Studies Without Walls (CASWW) has framed successful aging, and these differences will be reflected within the topics.
There are many web sites on the Internet for older adults that focus on disability and caregiving needs. However, there is a growing body of information that is geared to the positive side of aging.
Because many web sites already focus on the physical aspects of health, this site will briefly cover exercise and nutrition within the section of Activity and Leisure -- and then link you to sites with more in-depth information on physical health.
Since an abundance of information on physical aging can be found elsewhere on the Internet, "Successful Aging" will focus more on the psychological and social issues of aging well.
The first question to be asked is, "What is Successful Aging?", and the second is "Why should we study Successful Aging?". To find comprehensive answers to both of these questions, press here:
Older adults often request information to avoid being dependent upon others, especially to avoid "institutionali-To illustrate individual differences and show diversity in approaches to success, this site also features profiles of individuals in Missouri who are aging successfully. Our "real life" Missourians are not super heroes, such as John Glenn (the first U.S. astronaut to orbit the earth), or Buck O'Neil (a legendary hero from the days of the Negro Baseball League). Instead, these older adults represent our aging population throughout the state -- from Northern to Southern Missouri, and from the Mississippi River to the Kansas State Line. For a quick preview of our profiles, click on the photo of Betty, in the top left of this page. To read the full profiles, press HERE.
zation," -- that is, living in a nursing home. Our goal is to show you that regardless of where you live and what kind of activity you choose, it is possible to find satisfaction with aging, and to feel productive and positive about it.