Benchmark Survey of Older Texans

Background/Overview

There are multiple definitions of "successful aging" in the literature:

Havinghurst (1961) defines it as getting satisfaction from life.
Rowe and Kahn (1987) define it in terms of various physiological and psychological variables.
The MacArthur Study looked at physical performance and functional status.
Ryff (1982) cites positive and ideal functioning over the life course.
Fisher (1992) suggests that successful aging depends on strategies for coping.
Gibson (1995) refers to reaching one’s potential and arriving at a level of physical, social, and psychological well-being that is pleasing to self and others.
Palmore’s (1995) definition combines survival (longevity), health (lack of disability) and life satisfaction (happiness).
Baltes and Baltes defines successful aging as "individuals choosing to make the best use of certain capacities and resources they still have and finding ways to compensate for other limitations."

The common theme across all approaches is that aging well is in "the eye of the beholder."

References

Bearon, Lucille B. (1996) "Successful Aging: What does the ‘good life’ look like?" The Forum, NC State University, Vol 1., No. 3.
Kahn, Robert L. (2002) "Guest Editorial: On "Successful Aging and Well-Being: Self-Rated Compared with Rowe and Kahn" The Gerontologist, Vol. 42, No. 6, 725-726.

Benchmark Goals

The goals of this project are to obtain information that will provide us with benchmarks or indicators of successful aging for older Texans. Findings from this survey will allow us to examine how well Texas is doing across all areas of Aging Texas Well, and to identify specific areas for improvement.

Survey

Texans over the age of 60 were randomly contacted by telephone (random-digit dialing) and asked to complete the Benchmark Survey. Questions addressed all aspects of Aging Texas Well that include physical and mental health, social engagement, spirituality, financial and legal preparedness, employment, housing, transportation, recreation, volunteerism, health care services, caregiving, and community supports. A total of 1,100 older Texans completed the statewide survey.

The survey addresses each Aging Texas Well topic from three broad perspectives:

self-perceptions,
status indicators and
awareness of services and access to services.

Results

Aging Texas Well Indicators Survey Results 2009 evaluates and measures successful aging activities in Texans age 60 and older living in the community. Based on telephone interviews with over 1,000 Texans aged 60 and older, the survey provides information on how these individuals think about themselves and the communities in which they live relative to successful aging. (April 2009)

Aging Texas Well Indicators Survey Results 2005 report includes the results of a survey that examined older Texans' perceptions of how well they are aging.

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Updated: October 21, 2009