Long-term impact of preventive proactivity on quality of life of the old-old.

Author: Kahana, E., Lawrence, Renee H., Kahana, B.

Source:
Psychosomatic Medicine, Vol 64(3), May-Jun 2002: 382-394
This research explored the long-term benefits of engaging in proactive health promotion efforts among old-old residents of Sunbelt retirement communities to empirically test components of the Preventive and Corrective Proactivity (PCP) Model of Successful Aging. Specifically, we examined the contributions of exercise, tobacco use, moderate alcohol use, and annual medical checkups to multidimensional quality of life indicators of physical health, psychological well-being, and mortality. Data were obtained from a longitudinal study of adaptation to aging. Annual in-home interviews were conducted with 1000 older adults over a 9-year period. Whether health promotion behaviors at baseline predicted quality of life outcomes 8 years later was examined, controlling for the baseline outcome, sociodemographic variables, and, as an additional test, baseline health conditions. Exercise was predictive of fewer IADL limitations and greater longevity, positive affect, and meaning in life 8 years later.