What does successful aging mean? Most of the current literature defines successful aging as the absence of physical and cognitive impairment. This narrow definition precludes those people with chronic illnesses from aging successfully. But, isn't it also possible to achieve successful aging by adopting positive behaviors in the face of health-related adversity? In the June 2008 issue of the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, researchers from England found that successful aging was common among a group of people with dementia, especially those with good mental health and a strong network of social relationships.

Unlike the term 'successful aging,' the term 'quality of life' takes into account a person's overall outlook on life, including emotional, social, and psychological factors, as well as health-related issues. Studies have shown that people with Alzheimer disease consistent rate their quality of life highly. The researchers of this study reviewed the available literature on quality of life in people with dementia to determine which factors predict successful aging - what they referred to as 'wellbeing in adversity'. After interviewing 224 people with Alzheimer disease over a period of 18 months, they found that successful aging was directly predicted by mental health and social relationships, rather than general health or severity of cognitive decline.

This study promotes the importance of a positive outlook on aging, even in the context of health-related adversity. As the number of people living with dementia increases, and the burden of their caregivers rises, it is becoming even more important to understand their quality of life and how to improve their overall wellbeing.