A Spectrum of Aging: Introduction of a Reflected Experience Model of Aging Well

Abstract

Current methods to study aging lack a key approach in investigating the question of what it means to age well - the personal voice and lived experience of those doing the aging. The current study collected aging well narratives from 92 individuals between the ages of 62 and 95. Participants were interviewed via Zoom Health and provided four minutes of spontaneous (i.e. unprepared) answers to the question, “In your own words, what does aging well mean to you?” The responses were recorded, transcribed using speech-to-text, deidentified, and checked for accuracy by trained research assistants. The responses were analyzed using an interpretivist approach, inductively identifying recurring ideas from the narratives, and extracting themes that represent a broad spectrum of aging well meaning and experiences. The main themes that emerged were: Lifestyles/Health/Wellness, Compensation/Adaptation, Social Connection, Social Contribution, Existential, and Time Awareness. A thematic map was created representing the main themes and 24 corresponding codes. Using MAXQDA software, a descriptive analysis of the coded themes indicated that out of 1,632 coded extracts, 29% represented Lifestyle/Health/Wellness themes (e.g. physical/cognitive health, travel, finances), 27% reflected Existential themes (e.g. purpose/meaning, emotional wellbeing, spirituality, openness/growth), 16% represented Social Connection, 11% were Compensation/Adaptation (e.g. interdependence, technology, adjusting environment/mindset), while 6% represented both Social Contribution (e.g. volunteerism) and Time Awareness (e.g. retirement time). This reflected experience model may provide a first step toward developing a richer understanding to the diversity of the lived aging well experience.