Although people recognize the challenges that come with aging, many older adults have an optimistic outlook and expect their lives to improve as they age, according to the newly released results of an AARP study.
The Second Half of Life Study, conducted in collaboration with National Geographic Partners, shows that this increased happiness is supported by focus on quality of life over quantity of years, as well as the importance of relationships and independence.
According to the study, 34% of adults aged 80 and older, and 27% of those in their 70s, are very happy, compared with 21% of those ages 60 to 69, 18% of those 50 to 59, and 16% of those 40 to 49.
The January survey of 2,580 adults found that older adults recognize the challenges of growing older but worry less about them. Middle age, by contrast, is when life’s burdens take on the greatest prominence.
Relationships
Brain health and independence are top concerns among all age groups, but relationships became central to purpose and happiness as people aged and were most important to older adults in their 70s and 80s, according to the survey results. In fact, relationships peaked with those 80 or older.
Concerns over finances, health and purpose diminished in older age as well.
The significance of strong relationships is tied to housing preferences, AARP said. But even as people in their 80s said they wanted to be near loved ones and realized they may need support, they said they expected to live independently.
The level of concern with loss of mobility and independence also peaked among people in their 80s compared with younger groups. Those who needed help said they preferred being home with support from family and friends over having to hire help, according to the survey results.
Quality over quantity
Quality of life peaked with the 80-plus cohort.
People are not overly concerned with how long they will live. Instead, the survey found individuals are more in tune with the quality of life — a long life should be gratifying, not simply a countdown.
Survey respondents in their 80s had less of a desire to slow aging or add 10 years to their lives compared with members of earlier age groups. In fact, if they could be offered a pill to slow aging, the number of takers fell with age — saying yes were 72% of adults aged 60 to 69, 68% of those aged 70 to 79, and 60% of those aged 80 and older.
Most survey respondents in their 80s said they had completed end-of-life documents, including death-related documents. This age group felt the most prepared for death, according to survey results.
Health and wealth
Wealth peaked with the 80-plus cohort.
Although wealth, mobility and brain health are important to quality of life, many survey respondents across age groups said they are satisfied with their circumstances and less inclined to worry about the future. In life’s second half, wealth and retirement concerns were secondary to health concerns.
Health concerns peaked in the 60s before falling in the 70s. And the type of health concerns changed with age. Stamina, strength and flexibility topped the list of health concerns for those in their 70s and 80s, followed by heart health and recurring pains. Those in their 80s said the health problems they fear the most as they age are loss of mobility, loss of memory and loss of strength.
The survey also covered retirement expectations and plans and end of life preferences and planning.
AARP has posted the study results and decade snapshots online.
