| Abstract: | Background: Life expectancy in Taiwan is among the highest in the world. Notably, the number of nonagenarians and centenarians in Taiwan has been increasing rapidly because of medical and technological advances and increasing public awareness of personal health management. Objectives: This study had three objectives, namely to understand (1) how very old individuals perceive their longevity in terms of their lifestyle, life arrangements, and attitude towards life; (2) how these individuals develop the admirable capacity to overcome hardships throughout their lives and live long lives; and (3) whether these individuals can be regarded as successful agers on the basis of objective criteria (e.g., the absence of major diseases and disabilities, high cognitive and physical functioning, and active social engagement) and subjective criteria (e.g., characteristics, family circumstances, and psychological well-being). Methods: Twenty-one nonagenarians and centenarians from urban and nonurban areas in Taiwan were recruited through purposive sampling. In-depth interviews were conducted with these participants to understand their life experiences in the context of the past and present. The 27-item Health and Lifestyle Survey, a self-report survey, was administered to the participants, after which in-depth interviews were conducted. This process served to exclude individuals who could not provide autobiographical reflections and short narratives. Results: Four major findings were obtained in regard to the successful aging of the participants. (1) Most participants adopted a daily routine and recommended others to do so. (2) Most exhibited positive characteristics, such as optimism, generosity, authenticity, and warmheartedness. (3) They possessed accumulated life wisdom and exhibited a capability to endure and overcome adversity. (4) Most of the successful agers not only met the objective criteria but also the individual subjective criteria for successful aging (e.g., being respected and loved by one’s family and being honored for past work achievements). However, a small proportion of the participants exhibited an unwillingness to live longer. This was because they felt that they were becoming a burden on their family owing to their physical decline and disability caused by diseases and normal aging. Conclusion: The findings of this study provide insights into the feelings of contentment and satisfaction in very old individuals toward the support provided by the government and their families. |
