Healthy aging from the perspective of the elderly: an integrative review

a descriptive integrative review type study was performed, guided by the question: what knowledge has been produced about healthy aging from the perspective of the elderly? It was carried out using the Scopus Info Site (SCOPUS), Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), Literature of Latin America and the Caribbean (LILACS), EMBASE and WEB OF SCIENCE databases and in the directory of the Scientific Electronic Library Online Journals (SciELO), for literature published in the period between 2005 and 2016.

Result:

Eleven papers were regarded as eligible for this review. These studies revealed that healthy aging is related to different health dimensions: biological (adoption of healthy habits and behaviors with self-responsibility), psychological (feelings of optimism and happiness), spiritual (faith and religiosity) and social (reciprocity in social support factors and the capacity to live autonomously and independently).

Conclusion:

the synthesis of knowledge on healthy aging from the perspective of the elderly can support the actions of professionals who work with this population group to encourage and value the social determinants involved, so overcoming the exclusive focusing on the adoption of habits and behaviors inherent to lifestyle to achieve aging in a healthy way.

Keywords:
Aging; Health of the Elderly; Review

Universidade do Estado do Rio Janeiro Rua São Francisco Xavier, 524 - Bloco F, 20559-900 Rio de Janeiro - RJ Brasil, Tel.: (55 21) 2334-0168 - Rio de Janeiro - RJ - Brazil
E-mail: revistabgg@gmail.com

Acompanhe os números deste periódico no seu leitor de RSS

[1] Correspondence Renata Evangelista Tavares E-mail: renata_tavares@usp.br

Database	Search strategy	Articles found
SCOPUS	“Healthy aging” AND (“aged” OR “elderly” OR “senior” OR “older people”)	77
CINAHL	“Healthy aging” AND (“aged” OR “elderly” OR “senior” OR “older people”)	14
MEDLINE	“Healthy aging” AND (“aged” OR “elderly” OR “senior” OR “older people”)	24
LILACS	“Healthy aging” AND (“aged” OR “elderly” OR “senior” OR “older people”)	2
EMBASE	Emtree terms: “Healthy aging” AND “aged”	6
WEB OF SCIENCE	“Healthy aging” AND (“aged” OR “elderly” OR “senior” OR “older people”)	43
SciELO	Keywords: “Healthy aging” AND “elderly”	11
Total		177

Authors/Title	Year/ Country	Method/ Participants/Objectives	Elderly persons perception of healthy aging
Wallack EM, Wiseman HD, Ploughman M/ Healthy Aging from the Perspectives of 683 Older People with Multiple Sclerosis¹¹11 Wallack EM, Wiseman HD, Ploughman M. Healthy aging from the perspectives of 683 older people with multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler Int [Internet]. 2016 [acesso em 15 jun. 2017];1-10. Disponível em: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/msi/2016/1845720/ https://www.hindawi.com/journals/msi/201... .	2016/ Canada	Quantitative-qualitative/ n=683. Age: 55 to 88 years / Determine which factors contributed most to healthy aging for people with multiple sclerosis.	Social relationships, positive thinking, determination, maintain identity, eat healthily, adequate sleep and rest, high quality of health care, medication management, alternative therapies, weight control, being independent, volunteering, developing spirituality, practice a religion and have financial security.
Stephens C, Breheny M, Mansvelt J/ Healthy ageing from the perspective of older people: A capability approach to resilience¹²12 Stephens C, Breheny M, Mansvelt J. Healthy ageing from the perspective of older people: a capability approach to resilience. Psychol Health [Internet]. 2015 [acesso em 15 jun. 2017];30(6):715-31. Disponível em: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24678916 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2467... .	2015/ New Zealand	Qualitative/ n=145. Age: 63 to 93 years/ Use Sem theory to analyze “functionings” from the perspective of elderly persons.	Have physical comfort (adequate housing), security (financial and physical), autonomy, happiness, social integration and be able to contribute (voluntary work).
Valer DB, Bierhals CCBK, Aires M, Paskulin LMG/ The significance of healthy aging for older persons who participated in health education groups¹³13 Valer DB, Bierhals CCBK, Aires M, Paskulin LMG. The significance of healthy aging for older persons who participated in health education groups. Rev Bras Geriatr Gerontol [Internet]. 2015 [acesso em 15 jun. 2017];18(4):809-19. Disponível em: http://www.scielo.br/pdf/rbgg/v18n4/1809-9823-rbgg-18-04-00809.pdf http://www.scielo.br/pdf/rbgg/v18n4/1809... .	2015/ Brasil	Qualitative/ n=30. Age: 62 to 82 years/ Describe the meaning of healthy aging for elderly people who participated in health education groups of a Basic Health Unit. in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul.	Be physically active, eat suitable food, care for oneself, don’t smoke or drink alcohol, have adequate sleep and rest, socialize, perform leisure activities, seek out healthcare (routine medical check-ups, examinations, vaccination and absence of disease), be independent and have positive feelings.
Sixsmith J, Sixsmith A, Fänge AM, Naumann D, Kucsera C, Tomsone S et al./ Healthy ageing and home: The perspectives of very old people in five European countries¹⁴14 Sixsmith J, Sixsmith A, Fänge AM, Naumann D, Kucsera C, Tomsone S, et al. Healthy ageing and home: the perspectives of very old people in five European countries. Soc Sci Med [Internet]. 2014 [acesso em 15 jun. 2017];106:1-9. Disponível em: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24524960 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2452... .	2014/ Germany Hungary Latvia Sweden United Kingdom	Qualitative/ n=190. Age: 75 to 89 years/ Understanding the perspectives of the elderly on the relationship between healthy aging and the home among very old people in five European countries.	Feel independent, be able to manage one’s home and have financial security. Have hobbies and do individual or collective leisure activities. Eat healthily, don’t smoke or drink alcohol and do physical activities.
Waites CE, Onolemhemhen DN/ Perceptions of healthy aging among african-american and ethiopian elders¹⁵15 Waites CE, Onolemhemhen DN. Perceptions of Healthy Aging among African-American and Ethiopian Elders. Ageing Int [Internet]. 2014 [acesso em 15 jun. 2017];39(4):369-84. Disponível em: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12126-014-9203-1 https://link.springer.com/article/10.100... .	2014/ EUA Ethiopia	Quantitative-qualitative/ n=165. Age: 50 to 81 (Ethiopia, n=100) and 60 to 81 years (USA, n=65)/ Explore the perception of healthy aging and health promotion preferences and practices of African American and Ethiopian elderly persons.	Healthy aging for African Americans is to be independent and able to take care of oneself; while for Ethiopians, it is to perform physical activity, the absence of disease and maintenance of family life. Both expressed faith and spirituality.
Bacsu J, Jeffery B, Abonyi S, Johnson S, Novik N, Martz D et al./ Healthy aging in place: perceptions of rural older adults¹⁶16 Bacsu J, Jeffery B, Abonyi S, Johnson S, Novik N, Martz D, et al. Healthy aging in place: perceptions of rural older adults. Educ Gerontol [Internet]. 2014 [acesso em 15 jun. 2017];40(5):327-37. Disponível em: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03601277.2013.802191 http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.10... .	2014/ Canada	Qualitative/ n=40. Age: 65 to 85 years/ Explore the meanings, experiences and perceptions of healthy aging among rural elderly persons.	Interact socially, stay active, independent, optimistic and maintain cognitive health.
Boratti KLP, Soriano FS/ The perception of elderly persons about beliefs on self-efficacy and healthy aging¹⁷17 Boratti KLP, Soriano FS. A percepção de idosas acerca das crenças de autoeficácia e envelhecimento saudável. Aletheia [Internet]. 2013 [acesso em 15 jun. 2017];42:51-61. Disponível em: http://pepsic.bvsalud.org/pdf/aletheia/n42/n42a05.pdf http://pepsic.bvsalud.org/pdf/aletheia/n... .	2013/ Brazil	Qualitative/ n=6. Age: 60 to 80 years/ To verify the perception of the elderly about the beliefs of self-efficacy and healthy aging.	Perform routine activities, contribute, accept life as it is, have positive thoughts, believe in God and have health.
Thanakwang K, Soonthorndhada K, Mongkolprasoet J/ Perspectives on healthy aging among Thai elderly: a qualitative study¹⁸18 Thanakwang K, Soonthorndhada K, Mongkolprasoet J. Perspectives on healthy aging among thai elderly: a qualitative study. Nurs Health Sci [Internet]. 2012 [acesso em 15 jun. 2017];14(4):472-9 Disponível em: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23186522 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2318... .	2012/ Thailand	Qualitative/ n=160. Age: 60 to 88 years/ Describe the aspects of healthy aging and the factors that contribute to healthy aging in Thailand.	Absence of serious chronic diseases, functional independence, a positive psycho-emotional perspective, spirituality and make a social contribution; perform physical activity, have good nutritional habits, do not smoke or drink alcohol and manage disease well.
Deponti RN, Acosta MAF/ Understanding of the elderly of factors that influence healthy aging¹⁹19 Deponti RN, Acosta MAF. Compreensão dos idosos sobre os fatores que influenciam no envelhecimento saudável. Estud Interdiscipl Envelhec [Internet]. 2010 [acesso em 15 jun. 2017];15(1):33-52. Disponível em: http://seer.ufrgs.br/RevEnvelhecer/article/view/9520/10908 http://seer.ufrgs.br/RevEnvelhecer/artic... .	2010/ Brazil	Qualitative/ n=30. Age: 56 to 85 years/ Investigate the elderly person’s understanding of what factors influence Healthy Aging.	Be enthusiastic, have a positive attitude, be active, live with joy/fun, be optimistic, have a young spirit, good memory, friendships, coexistence with other people and count on the support of the family.
Danyuthasilpe C, Amnatsatsue K, Tanasugarn C, Kerdmongkol P, Steckler AB/ Ways of healthy aging: a case study of elderly people in a Northern Thai village²⁰20 Danyuthasilpe C, Amnatsatsue K, Tanasugarn C, Kerdmongkol P, Steckler AB. Ways of healthy aging: a case study of elderly people in a Northern Thai village. Health Promot Int [Internet]. 2009 [acesso em 15 jun. 2017];24(4):394-403. Disponível em: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19850569 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1985... .	2009/ Thailand	Qualitative/ n=7. age: 78 to 85 years/ Explore the forms of healthy aging among a specific group of elderly persons in order to understand the connection between healthy aging and culture.	Eat well, have support from one’s family, practice physical activity and healing, worship ancestors, don’t smoke or drink alcohol, perform spiritual services and be interdependent.
Cupertino APFB, Rosa FHM, Ribeiro PCC/ Definition of Healthy Aging from the Perspective of Elderly Individuals²¹21 Cupertino APFB, Rosa FHM, Ribeiro PCC. Definição de envelhecimento saudável na perspectiva de indivíduos idosos. Psicol Reflex Crit [Internet]. 2007 [acesso em 15 jun. 2017];20(1):81-6. Disponível em: http://www.scielo.br/pdf/prc/v20n1/a11v20n1.pdf http://www.scielo.br/pdf/prc/v20n1/a11v2... .	2007/ Brazil	Qualitative/ n=501. Age: 60 to 93 years/ to examine the definition of healthy aging in a sample of the elderly living in the community, seeking to identify the multidimensions perceived by the same.	To have physical health, social relations, eat healthily, do physical activities, don’t smoke or drink alcohol, leisure, acceptance of this phase, have faith and spirituality, family structure, financial stability, do good.