Being actively engaged in life in old age: determinants, temporal trends, and prognostic value

• DOI: 10.1007/s40520-023-02440-9
• Publication Date: 2023-05-24T16:02:26Z
• Authors: Ulla L. Aalto; Mia Knuutila; Tuuli Lehti; Anu Jansson; Hannu Kautiainen; Hanna Öhman; Timo Strandberg; Kaisu H. Pitkälä
• Keywords: Active ageing

Recently, the concept of successful ageing has shifted from healthy to active ageing, latter emphasising even more subjective perspective. Active agency is a marker for better functioning. However, lacks clear definition so far. The specific aims study were identify determinants being actively engaged in life (BAEL), explore changes BAEL over 3 decades, and prognostic value BAEL.This repeated cross-sectional cohort older (≥ 75 years) community-dwelling people Helsinki 1989 (N = 552), 1999 2396), 2009 1492), 2019 1614). data gathered by postal questionnaire at each time point. Being was defined two questions "Do you feel needed?" have plans future?", which further converted into score.An increasing temporal trend score observed through years. Male sex, good physical functioning health, meaningful social contacts higher score. measured predicted lower 15-year mortality.Older home-dwelling, urban Finnish become recent underlying causes are diverse but improved socioeconomic status years one them. Social not feeling lonely found be engaged. Two simple describing engagement may help predict mortality among people.