Successful Aging: An Exploratory Study of Older Adults’ Perspectives in Bangladesh

• In Event: 067 - Section on Aging and the Life Course Refereed Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable 100min: Table 14. Subjective Well-Being, Generativity and Healthy Aging

Abstract

Some recent research suggest that older adults in non-western societies place limited emphasis on functional and cognitive health. The intercultural differences in what constitutes a good old age highlights the need for exploring determinants of successful aging in non-western settings, particularly from older adults’ own perspectives. This paper aims to explore the perception of successful aging in Bangladesh. Twelve participants were recruited using snowball sampling technique. The present study adds to the emerging research in this area showing that older adults’ subjective definition of successful aging differ from the models that focuses on functional capabilities and disease. Findings of this study support that successful aging is multidimensional, that is successful aging encompasses dimensions such as physical wellbeing, financial security, psychological wellbeing, and social engagement. Older adults’ emphasis on all these dimensions, however, were qualitatively different than western societies. Their lives are greatly influenced by the rapid demographic and social changes among which they often find themselves devalued, stigmatized, and powerless. Particularly in low-income families, they struggle with financial insecurities, neglect, and are challenged to remain functionally independent. In absence of any formal support system for the older adults, successful aging appears to be a luxury to the most.

Author

• Iftekhar Amin, University of North Texas at Dallas