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"Successful Aging:": A Disability Perspective
Abstract
This article examines the "successful aging" paradigm in gerontology and the problems it poses when applied to the growing population of people who are aging with substantial physical disabilities. We review Rowe and Kahn's (1998) three characteristics of successful aging-low probability of disease and disease-related disability, high cognitive and physical functioning, and active engagement with life-and explore their relevance and limitations when applied to people with disabilities. We demonstrate how both the term successful aging and its specific dimensions can serve to further stigmatize and marginalize people who, by virtue of their disabilities, may not meet narrowly defined criteria for "aging well." The article concludes by arguing for models that accent a broader ecological approach, one that stresses environmental accommodations and policy changes, and acknowledges that gains as well as losses are a critical part of the aging process. Implications for research, policy, and practice are discussed.
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“Frequently internalized by older people themselves, this new variant of ageism ironically can mitigate against the very proactive health promotion and healthy maintenance activities advocated by proponents of successful aging by ''substantially lowering the bar of dreams and expectations for and by elders with disabilities'' (Minkler & Fadem, 2002, p. 231).”
From Self, Society, and the "New Gerontology" (2003) · cites this paper as Minkler & Fadem, 2002
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Metadata
- Authors
- Minkler, M., & Fadem, P.
- Affiliations
- University of California, Berkeley (US)
- ORCID
- Minkler, Meredith
- Venue
- Journal of Disability Policy Studies
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2002-03
- Volume
- 12
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 229-235
- ISSN
- 1044-2073 (ISSN-L)
- 1538-4802
- OpenAlex
- W2160586522
- Cited by
- 185
- References
- 35
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 22 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 17 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 10
- FWCI
- 3.04
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Disability Policy Studies (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Aging, Health, and Disability
- Social Sciences › Life-span and Life-course Studies › Aging, Elder Care, and Social Issues
- Keywords
- successful aging, aging with disability, physical disability, stigmatization, marginalization, ecological approach, disability policy
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