gms | German Medical Science

People have long sought after the fountain of youth, looking for ways to live longer and to improve the quality of life. Not only are people now living longer than in the earlier part of the twentieth century, the quality of life is also improving. What factors contribute to a successful later life? To answer this question we first need to define what successful means. Depending on whether objective or subjective criteria are used some predictors of successful aging differ and others overlap. When it comes to objective indicators such as longevity, health, or cognitive performance, research has shown that lifestyle choices seem to be crucial. Some of the psychosocial factors and behavioral factors are exercise, healthy diet, sense of efficacy and control, mental stimulation, and social support. When focussing on subjective criteria such as subjective well-being, a rich array of self-regulatory mechanisms but also social context characteristics have been identified. An integrating discussion of findings on successful aging from a lifespan perspective is offered.