Successful Ageing in the Dimensions of Life Satisfaction and Perception of Ageing in the Iranian Elderly Adults Referring to the Health Center in the West of Tehran, Iran

Background & Aims: Achieving the goals of successful ageing is considered to be an effective strategy for the promotion of health in the elderly. The concept of healthy and successful ageing encompasses significant components, including life satisfaction, positive perception of the changes in old age, longevity, lack of disability, and independence in life. The present study aimed to assess successful ageing in terms of life satisfaction and perception of ageing in the elderly patients referring to the health center in the west of Tehran, Iran. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted on 200 elderly individuals referring to the health center in the west of Tehran, Iran in 2017, who were selected via convenience sampling based on the inclusion criteria. Data were collected using the abbreviated mental test (AMT), a demographic questionnaire, LSI-Z life satisfaction inventory, and ageing perception questionnaire (B-APQ). The questionnaires were completed via face-to-face interviews (15 minutes). Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 20 using independent t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), as well as descriptive and inferential statistics at the significance level of P≤0.05. Results: The mean score of life satisfaction in the participants was 15.2±2.2, which indicated the high level of life satisfaction. Significant correlations were observed between life satisfaction and age, gender, education level, economic status, occupation status, marriage, independence in daily tasks, and health and psychological status. In addition, the  mean score of the perception of ageing in the subjects was 53.08±3.9, and significant correlations were observed between this variable and age, marital status, education level, life status, economic status, health status, and independence in daily tasks (P<0.05). Conclusion: Considering that the participants in this research were mostly selected from the young elderly (age: 60-75 years) and had high life satisfaction and positive perceptions toward their ageing process, it seems that there is a positive association with life management strategies and healthy lifestyle. Therefore, the main slogan to achieve the goals of successful ageing would be to 'add life to the life year, rather than adding life years to life'.