As Australia’s population continues to age, new research is highlighting the growing importance of social connection and purpose in later life – not just physical health.
Data collected from more than 700 Australians aged between 65 and 98 found seven key factors linked to wellbeing later in life, with social connectedness identified as an equally important factor as diet and exercise.
“As our population lives longer, it’s important to understand how to support people in their later years,” Dr Chloe Waddell, a psychologist and lead author of the research told SBS News.
“Past ideas of ageing well were that you had to be in perfect health — but as this research shows, feeling connected, having purpose and retaining control over your own life can be just as, if not more, important.”
The research, conducted with Federation University, involved interviews and surveys with 722 Australians from every state and territory.
Participants included people aged between 65 and 98, many of whom were managing ongoing health conditions.
Dr Waddell identified seven key components in ageing well: autonomy, purpose in life, independence, manageable health, positive attitudes, active life involvement and social connectedness.
“For older Australians, ageing well is much more of a process rather than a destination. And many people can manage and live with illnesses and conditions but still have a positive outlook,” she said.
About 70 per cent of those surveyed said they had a health condition, but most felt it was manageable in their daily lives.
“Having a disease or disability might not be ideal, but they were saying that we can age well as long as our health is manageable and especially if they have autonomy and purpose in life,” she said.
Experts say the findings come at a critical time. Treasury projections show the number of Australians aged over 65 is expected to double within the next 40 years, while those aged over 85 will triple.
Waddell also interviewed 13 Holocaust survivors in Australia in the same age group and found many still believed they were ageing well despite what she described as “extreme childhood adversity”.
“Together these insights remind us that later life can be meaningful, connected and fulfilling — even after a lifetime of adversity — if the right supports are in place.”
Health and longevity experts say social wellbeing is only one part of the picture, but an important one.
Professor Luigi Fontana, from the University of Sydney, said ageing well is influenced by both genetics and lifestyle, including diet, exercise and social connection.
“Exercise is a daily medicine, so it’s not something you do twice a week, it happens even during the day, whether its walking to the bathroom or using stairs,” he said.
“And a healthy diet rich in whole grains and beans and vegetables and nuts and seeds and fish is extremely important.”
He also said that a person’s environment and standard of living also play a role in their quality of life and how they age.
“For instance, living in a place with poor water or air pollution will increase your risk of developing health conditions, or if you don’t have access to good hospitals or sanitation,” he said.
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