1. Title of Article/Topic:
Successful Aging Among Assisted Living Community Older Adults
Authors:
Maryalice Kozar-Westman, MSN, RN, Meredith Troutman-Jordan PhD, RN, Mary A.Nies, PhD, RN, FAAN,
FAAHB
Abstract:
This study investigated the suitability of using the Successful Aging Inventory (SAI) in an effort to
describe successful aging among older adults living in assisted communities (ALCs) and to further assess
some of their characteristics of successful aging in this group.
Purpose:
To find the success of aging in older adults living in assisted living communities and their characteristics
Introduction:
Numerous researchers have found that the aging of older adults in assisted living communities have
been successful. Daily leisure activities have concluded to an engaged lifestyle and helps the decline of
cognition. The number of U.S. older adults will increase dramatically from 2010 to 2030. In 2030, the
older generation is expected to be double than that of 2000, surging from 35 million to 72 million,
roughly 20% of the US population. Understanding what successful aging looks like in older adults is
invaluable for researchers and healthcare providers. With older adults greater incidences of chronic
illnesses and increasing lofe expectancy will find themselves needing assistance with self-care and and
and daily living activities. Thirteen percent of the US population is over 65 and studies show that by
2050, about 27 million people will acquire a certain type of health-care for long-term. Over 80% alone of
individuals have at least one chronic health condition. Many individuals will seek more assistance as life
expectancy increases and will be housed in ALCs. The study of this research provides aims to evaluate
feasibility of using the SAI with the ALC population, to determine psychometric properties of the SAI
when administered to ALC residents and to assess characteristics of successful aging in ALC residents.
This study is a cross-sectional descriptive quantitative research design over a recruitment of 200
participants from 3 different counties in North Carolina from 8 different ALCs. 10.5% of participants are
over 65 years.
Hypothesis:
Will the older adults in assisted living communities have successful aging?
Study:
Quantitative measures: Age ranged from 52 to 100 years, the mean was 79.87 years
Sample: 200 participants from 8 ALCs in 3 counties; Population: 1,327,006; 10.5% over 65 years;
71% white, 19% black
Qualitative measures:

2. Methods: Participants screened for absence of cognitive impairment using MiniCog, SAI,
Purpose In Life Test, Life Satisfaction Inventory-A, Centers for Epidmiologic Studies Depression Scale
Procedure: Gender was an influence, women tending to score higher on successful aging using
the tests above; successful aging does exist in ALCs; publicized via posters and verbal announcements at
ALCs; Researchers visited and recruited participants from ALCs; performed MiniCog exam and
questionnaire with $10 incentive; asked back in two weeks and asked to complete SAI again
Results:
Most participants were without a significant other and rated their health as “good” or “excellent”
Hypertension was reported from vision problems and arthritis; most had 2-3 serious health conditions,
3.5% reported having none; the SAI, LSI-A, & PIL scores were skewed negatively and the CESD scores
were positively skewed; sample trend shows lower scores on depressive symptoms and higher scores on
successful aging
Conclusion:
Study is not without limitations; population sampled is restricted, both geographically and ethnically, to
Southern-dwelling Black and White ALC residents; there may be distinguishing nuances of successful
aging across ethnically & culturally diverse older adults
Suggestion for Further Study:
Qualitative research could yield insightful data for deeper understanding of subtle distinctions in
successful aging across diverse groups and for planning tailored interventions to promote successful
aging in individuals
References:
Aging Statistics, American Nurses Association, Assisted Living Disclosure Collaborative, Healthy Aging
and States, The National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators, National Institute on Aging