New frontiers in the future of aging: from successful aging of the young old to the dilemmas of the fourth age
- PMID: 12574672
- DOI: 10.1159/000067946
New frontiers in the future of aging: from successful aging of the young old to the dilemmas of the fourth age
Abstract
We review research findings on the oldest old that demonstrate that the fourth age entails a level of biocultural incompleteness, vulnerability and unpredictability that is distinct from the positive views of the third age (young old). The oldest old are at the limits of their functional capacity and science and social policy are constrained in terms of intervention. New theoretical and practical endeavors are required to deal with the challenges of increased numbers of the oldest old and the associated prevalence of frailty and forms of psychological mortality (e.g., loss of identity, psychological autonomy and a sense of control). Investigation of the fourth age is a new and challenging interdisciplinary research territory. Future study and discussion should focus on the critical question of whether the continuing major investments into extending the life span into the fourth age actually reduce the opportunities of an increasing number of people to live and die in dignity.
Copyright 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel
Similar articles
-
New approach to gerontology: building up "successful aging" conditions.Aging Clin Exp Res. 2007 Apr;19(2):160-4. doi: 10.1007/BF03324683. Aging Clin Exp Res. 2007. PMID: 17446728
-
The analysis of aging and elderly age quality in empirical research: data based on University of the Third Age (U3A) students.Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2012 Jul-Aug;55(1):195-9. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2011.07.011. Epub 2011 Oct 2. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2012. PMID: 21962545
-
Psychological well-being in relation to frailty: a frailty identity crisis?Int Psychogeriatr. 2012 Aug;24(8):1347-53. doi: 10.1017/S1041610212000269. Epub 2012 Mar 21. Int Psychogeriatr. 2012. PMID: 22436131
-
Epidemiology of Cognitive Aging in the Oldest Old.Rev Invest Clin. 2016 Jan-Feb;68(1):33-9. Rev Invest Clin. 2016. PMID: 27028175 Review.
-
The elephant in the room - healthy brains in later life, epidemiology and public health.Nat Rev Neurosci. 2007 Mar;8(3):233-9. doi: 10.1038/nrn2091. Epub 2007 Feb 14. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2007. PMID: 17299455 Review.
Cited by
-
Limitations on the Importance of Self-Regulation in Old Age.Hum Dev. 2009 Feb;52(1):38-43. doi: 10.1159/000189214. Hum Dev. 2009. PMID: 23729835 Free PMC article. No abstract available.
-
[Gerontology, geriatric medicine and robot research : Look back to the future].Z Gerontol Geriatr. 2020 Nov;53(7):644-646. doi: 10.1007/s00391-020-01792-5. Epub 2020 Oct 14. Z Gerontol Geriatr. 2020. PMID: 33057787 Free PMC article. Review. German.
-
Cognitive functions and physical activity in aging when energy is lacking.Eur J Ageing. 2021 Oct 1;19(3):533-544. doi: 10.1007/s10433-021-00654-2. eCollection 2022 Sep. Eur J Ageing. 2021. PMID: 36052203 Free PMC article.
-
Having Plans for the Future in Very Old People.Int J Aging Hum Dev. 2024 Oct;99(3):373-394. doi: 10.1177/00914150241231189. Epub 2024 Feb 11. Int J Aging Hum Dev. 2024. PMID: 38342991 Free PMC article.
-
Does Old Age Comprise Distinct Subphases? Evidence from an Analysis of the Relationship between Age and Activities of Daily Living, Comorbidities, and Geriatric Syndromes.Ann Geriatr Med Res. 2024 Mar;28(1):65-75. doi: 10.4235/agmr.23.0177. Epub 2024 Jan 17. Ann Geriatr Med Res. 2024. PMID: 38229437 Free PMC article.
Publication types
MeSH terms
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Medical
