The University of Arizona College of Medicine Optimal Aging Program: stepping in the shadows of successful aging.

The Optimal Aging Program (OAP) at the University of Arizona, College of Medicine is a longitudinal mentoring program that pairs students with older adults who are considered to be aging successfully. This credit-bearing elective was initially established in 2001 through a grant from the John A. Hartford Foundation, and aims to expand the concept of aging to include those of active, independently living, healthy older adults. The program goals are to provide students with the opportunity to develop a relationship with an older adult who continues to be active in her community and expand students' concepts of aging to include the increasing reality of healthy, active older adulthood. A review of students' journals, verbal feedback, and questionnaire surveys has been used to evaluate the OAP, and has resulted in minor modifications of the program since inception. These findings and the program modifications are described in the present study. "Success factors" are identified that may be employed by others attempting to develop such programs.