ACTIVITIES ENABLE SUCCESSFUL AGING IN VERY OLD AGE: FINDINGS FROM THE FORDHAM CENTENARIAN STUDY

• Published in: Innovation in aging 2017-07, Vol.1 (suppl_1), p.945-945
• Main Authors: Lampraki, C., Jopp, D.S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abstracts
• ISSN: 2399-5300; 2399-5300
• DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igx004.3398

Engaging in leisure activities in older adulthood is assumed to be a critical factor for successful aging. This paper investigated activity patterns in the Fordham Centenarian Study (N = 119; Mage = 99.25, 95–107 years). Activity categories were identified based on Jopp and Hertzog (2010): social-private, social-public, religious, and experiential activities, crafts, games, sports, and mentally stimulating activities/technology use. Social-private activities were reported most often (68%), followed by mentally stimulating activities (60%). The total number of activities was strongly positively correlated with cognitive functioning, and negatively correlated with depression. Regression analyses revealed that more health-related restrictions and less engagement in religious and social-public activities were associated with higher depression, while higher engagement in social-private activities and technology use were linked with higher cognitive functioning. In sum, despite their advanced age, centenarians stay engaged in various activities, with higher engagement being associated with better well-being and cognitive functioning.