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Sherry Adams,
Audra Abbott, Molly Arms, Angela Baxter, Casey Becker, Edwin Dutcher, Jessica Edelbaum, Lisa Millham
Central Missouri State University
Subject Listing - Health
Advisor: Dr. Julie Clawson
Friday, Oral Session 5, Presentation 3, Karpen Hall 221
SUCCESSFUL AGING IN THE HEARTLAND: THE CHALLENGE OF PREPARING INTERDISCIPLINARY HEALTHCARE TEAMS
The purpose of this project was to study successful aging in the rural elderly population in Missouri using an interdisciplinary approach. E. A. Phelan, et. al. (2004) concluded that older adults' definition of successful aging was multidimensional, encompassing physical, functional, psychological, and social health. Successful aging, defined by the Lancy Research Group in 2004, consisted of feelings of satisfaction with life, adaptive physical and cognitive mental functioning, perceptions of adequate social support, and active engagement in life. The elderly, a largely understudied population, was surveyed by the 2005 Lancy Research Group to identify their views on successful aging. Our interdisciplinary team included nursing, psychology, social work, communications, physical fitness, nutrition, and economics. Undergraduate students worked as a team to develop and conduct a survey at 11 meal service programs provided by Care Connections, a statewide agency supporting independent living. There were 345 participants ranging in age from 60-98 (M = 77). Descriptive statistics were tabulated on demographic questions; frequencies were tabulated on general questions; and a factor analysis was performed on the 25 statements related to successful aging. Four factors emerged from the factor analysis. The four factors that loaded highest (.40 or higher) were Enhancing Active Engagement, Sense of Well-Being, Functional Independence, and Adaptability. An interdisciplinary healthcare approach was essential in evaluating successful aging in older adults living in the rural heartland. The survey findings benefit both the elderly in the region and facilitate the training of future healthcare and service providers.
Faculty Co-Advisors: Drs. Julie A. Clawson, John R. Crooker, Pat S. Decker, Karen J. Doyle, Freda J. Herrington, Swarna L. Mandali, Kim S. Stark-Wroblewski, and Beverly J. Zimmer
Advisor: Dr. Julie Clawson, Ph.D., R.N., Chair and Professor, Department of Nursing, Central Missouri State University, Warrensburg, MO