title: Concept of successful ageing among the community-dwelling oldest old in Japan.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In Japan, increasing human longevity has forced society to rethink the notion of what constitutes 'successful ageing'. This study attempts to advocate a new concept of successful ageing that involves complete acceptance of the ageing process.
  
  
  METHODS
  Research was based on semi-structured interviews with 15 community dwelling oldest-old (aged 85 years and above) participants. The analysis was completed using a grounded theory approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Successful ageing for the oldest old was grouped into six categories. Within these categories, we discovered the structure of successful ageing, which synthesises ideas from the adaptation process with those of physical and cognitive decreased function as well as spirituality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The oldest old in Japan work to arrive at a conclusion with their lives, all the while coping with the drawbacks of ageing, such as declining physical and cognitive functions. This resilient and flexible way of life makes their form of ageing an equally 'successful' one.
authors.affiliation: PhD Student, Public Health Nursing and Preventive Nursing, Department of Human Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University.
authors.forename: Michiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sato-Komata
authors.affiliation: Professor in Public Health Nursing, Graduate School of Nursing for Health Care, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine.
authors.forename: Akiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hoshino
authors.affiliation: Lecturer in Public Health Nursing, School of Nursing, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine.
authors.forename: Kanae
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Usui
authors.affiliation: Professor in Public Health Nursing and Preventive Nursing, Department of Human Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshiki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Katsura
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D001293:Attitude to Death; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D066296:Grounded Theory; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living / Q000523:psychology*; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life
keywords: Japan; ageing; grounded theory; oldest old; qualitative study