Approaching 80?

1 min

A recent study from Australia published in the Journals of Gerontology emphasizes seniors’ need to remain engaged with meaningful activities. Tim Windsor, Ph.D., an associate professor at Australia’s Flinders University notes that “some of the most interesting and challenging pastimes can be low cost or free, and it’s important we continue to be flexible in the activities we choose and to adapt in ways that let us make use of our strengths without overtaxing our resources.” A group of international experts led by Flinders University studied the day-to-day activities of 73 adults whose average age was 89 to address whether seniors reported more positive emotions when they rated their activities as more personally meaningful. The investigators looked at social activities such as meeting friends and talking to family as well as such physical activities as gardening, exercising, or going on walks as well as housework, cooking and shopping. According to Flinders University Emeritus Professor Mary Luszcz, Ph.D., who has led the Australian Longitudinal Study of Aging “in all, no matter what people chose, respondents expressed a strong emotional connection to activities which still present them with achievable challenges.”

Source:
Conscientiousness, Activity Engagement and Momentary Affect in Oldest-Old Adulthood’ (2021) by Tim D Windsor, et al, The Journal of Gerontology B (Oxford University Press for The Gerontological Society of America) DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbaa136

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