Understanding Models of Successful Aging

Aging is a complex subject because it is ongoing. When you are studying aging you want to focus on how it affects someone life. So far we have discussed different models that has broken the process of aging down. We have the 1990 study of theory and selective optimization with compensation, Pfeiffer’s 1974 model of successful aging, and Rowe and Kahn’s 1987 model of successful aging. All of these models go into detail about how to age “successfully” and the affect that aging can have on an individual life. Baltes and Baltes 1990 model of selective optimization with compensation focuses on how older adults can successfully adapt to ongoing life changes. SOC involves three steps: choose activities that are important to you and maintain them, find ways to optimize these activities, find ways to compensate for losses of things you like to do but can’t do because of age. Furthermore, this model does consider the older adults that already suffer from chronic illness or disabilities. How will they “successfully” age? According to lecture notes, “Successful aging is based in a positive frame of mind and an

Pfeiffer’s model wants you to replace what has been lost, restrain what has been lost, learn to deal with loss, and retain what you are able to do. Rowe and Kahn 1987 locus-of-control model of successful aging on the other hand, focuses on decreasing the risk of disease, increasing physical and mental functions, and being actively involved in life. The SOC model, adaption model, and locus –of-control model all focus on what older adults are able to do and how they can successfully age. However, they all go about it in different ways. The SOC model want you to focus on activities that you were once involved in, Pfeiffer adaption model want you to replace what has been lost, and Rowe and Kahn model focus on decreasing