'Aside from my limitations, I’m aging very successfully’: A qualitative approach to successful ageing among older people with early onset motor disabilities

Abstract

Objectives: The concept of successful aging has been criticized for overlooking the experiences of older adults aging with disabilities, which may accentuate segregation and consolidate inequities. This qualitative study explored how older people living with early-onset mobility disabilities define successful aging, whether their definitions differ from those proposed by academia and from those of older people without disabilities, and to what extent older people with motor disabilities perceive themselves as aging successfully. Method: Thirty-two people (20 women, 12 men) aged over 60 and living with motor disabilities for a minimum of 20 years were interviewed about their definition of successful aging and whether they considered that they were aging successfully. Responses were analyzed thematically. Results: We identified five main themes: (a) activity, (b) supportive context, (c) proactive attitude, (d) autonomy and (e) adaptation. Most participants considered that they were aging successfully, according to the themes underlined in their definition of successful aging. Conclusion: Participants see successful aging as based far more on psychosocial than biomedical aspects. Successful aging is defined as process in which the maintenance of desired activities and independence is attained due to contextual and psychological resources, which allows participants to perceive themselves as aging successfully.