title: Successful aging among assisted living community older adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated the suitability of using the Successful Aging Inventory (SAI) in an effort to describe successful aging among older adults currently living in assisted living communities (ALCs) and to further assess some of the characteristics of successful aging in this group.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study used a cross-sectional descriptive quantitative research design. Recruitment garnered 200 participants 65 years of age or older from eight ALCs in North Carolina.
  
  
  METHODS
  Screening was done using the Mini-Cog; instrumentation was composed of the SAI, Purpose in Life Test, Life Satisfaction Inventory-A, and Centers for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the differences were those influenced by gender, with females tending to score higher on successful aging (p < .004).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This research demonstrated that successful aging does exist in ALC residents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The size of the older adult population will proliferate dramatically during the next two decades. Many of these individuals will find themselves living in ALCs; therefore, it is important to continue to strive to understand what successful aging looks like in these individuals in order to adopt meaningful practices and interventions aimed at eliciting successful aging responses in those living in these communities.
authors.affiliation: Faculty Lecturer, School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC.
authors.forename: Maryalice
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kozar-Westman
authors.forename: Meredith
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Troutman-Jordan
authors.forename: Mary A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Nies
mesh_terms: D000124:Achievement; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D040561:Assisted Living Facilities; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009657:North Carolina; D011582:Psychological Theory; D011594:Psychometrics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Successful Aging Inventory; Successful aging; assisted living community; elderly; older adults; psychometric measurement; quality of life; residential care