Can Older Adults in Poor Health Regain Optimal Well-Being?

The narrative of "aging as decline" has a real cost. It leads to passive health strategies and a missed opportunity for increasing healthspan.

New research from the University of Toronto is providing a powerful counter-narrative and a clear roadmap for change. Their study, which tracked over 8,000 Canadians, found that nearly 1 in 4 older adults who reported poor well-being were able to bounce back to optimal health within just three years.

In this study, optimal well-being status of respondents was determined at time of recruitment and approximately 3 years thereafter (follow-up). The sample for this study was restricted to older adults who DID NOT meet the following 4 criteria for optimal well-being at time of recruitment:

1. Physical Wellness. Not having limitations in performing Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs); not having disabling chronic pain or discomfort.

2. Psychological and Emotional Wellness. Not having anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, memory problems; never, rarely or some of the time feeling depressed; occasionally or all of the time feeling happy; and occasionally or all of the time feeling satisfied with life.

3. Social Wellness. Having someone to give advice about a crisis, having someone to show them love and affection, and having someone to confide in or talk to about themselves or their problems.

4. Self-Rated Wellness. Having self-rated aging process, physical health and mental health as good to excellent.

The study aimed to address which "domains of adversity" (physical, psychological and emotional, social, and self-rated wellness) are most conducive to regaining optimal well-being over the duration of the study.

The data is clear: the most significant factor in a return to optimal health is psychological and emotional wellness, and the key drivers are modifiable lifestyle factors - not expensive treatments. Older adults can experience optimal health and long life by eating well, refraining from smoking and excessive drinking, exercising regularly, staying socially connected, preventing or managing chronic diseases, and taking measures to prevent falls and accidents.

This study validates what I emphasize with my clients: your healthspan is not predetermined. It's a living system that responds to intentional action. I help my clients shift their strategy from managing decline to pursuing vitality. Whether you're planning ahead or supporting a loved one's journey, personalized strategies can make all the difference in achieving optimal well-being later in life.