Successful aging across the years: does one model fit everyone?

Rowe and Kahn's (1987, 1998) model of successful aging (SA) implies a balance among: (1) low probability of disease and disease-related disability; (2) high cognitive and physical functioning; and (3) active engagement with life. This study assessed the relationship of age to the components of SA across the sixth, seventh and eighth decades of life in Canadian seniors (N = 14,749). Age was a significant predictor of disease-related disability and impaired physical functioning, but age had little impact on engagement. Despite health-related changes, these data suggest that the majority of older Canadians are maintaining connections with their community.