Salutogenesis in old age

• Published in: Zeitschrift für Gerontologie und Geriatrie 2004-10, Vol.37 (5), p.366-376
• Main Authors: Wiesmann, U, Rölker, S, Hannich, H-J
• Format: Article
• Language: ger
• Subjects: Adaptation, Physiological - physiology; Adaptation, Psychological - physiology; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging - physiology; Attitude to Health; Female; Geriatrics - methods; Health Status; Homeostasis - physiology; Humans; Internal-External Control; Male; Models, Psychological; Quality of Life; Self Concept
• ISSN: 0948-6704
• DOI: 10.1007/s00391-004-0213-6

In this contribution, the significance of the salutogenic model (Antonovsky) and its core concept-the sense of coherence-for research into "successful aging" is explicated on the background of a gerodynamic perspective (Schroots). Common to both approaches is the idea that the basic principle of life is based on imbalance, disease, and suffering (heterostasis). According to this pessimistic view, aging is considered as the individual time dimension on which these inevitable impairments in biological, behavioral, and social respects take place. The continuous increase in entropy (disorder) will finally result in the death of the organism. In the face of gerontological research showing variability and individual plasticity in aging processes-especially for the third age-, the salutogenic question is why some people generally become (very) old and stay healthy. According to the salutogenic model, the sense of coherence determines the (re-)production of order over the life span and mediates the relationship between resources/stressors and health outcome. Considering activity/disengagement theory and the selective optimization with compensation model as an example, the integrative potential of the salutogenic model is shown. Finally, the value of the salutogenic model for the fourth age is discussed. Healthy aging is one chance of human existence, but in no way a collective duty that should be imposed on the individual.