A Study of the Development of Graceful Aging Construct and Its Determinants

• Main Authors: Li-Jen Tang, 唐立人
• Other Authors: 陳鴻基
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2017
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/6f8kec

碩士 === 國立臺灣大學 === 商學研究所 === 105 === This study aims at developing the Graceful Aging construct and studies its determinants among the elders in Taiwan. With an increase on global life expectancy, aging population has become a reality and often causes a new challenge socially and economically. Scholars have examined the issues on how to achieve Successful Aging in elder life as an attempt to mitigate any risks and negative disruption caused by aging in the productivity and economic development. Rowe and Kahn (1987) had proposed the well-known Successful Aging model which emphasizes the balance of three components: absence of disease and disease-related disability, high functional capability and active engagement with life. This model focused on physical, psychological and social participation to access the state of successful aging. With well developed instruments, it has been widely applied to assess the quality of life for elders.  However, with the advance of technology and the emerging of service innovation and economy (e.g, co-create, co-share, and experience-based), it has been reported that more and more elders are engaging as well as interacting with environmental stakeholders via various enablers and agencies. Applying this new trend, Wang etc. (2013) proposed a holistic view on assessing elder’s needs, the Graceful Aging, which refers to the fulfillment of elder needs in nine areas. Originated from traditional Chinese culture, it is claimed that Graceful Aging not only emphasizes the aging needs itself, but also includes the benefits and concerns deriving from external stakeholder and environment. In this study, a measurement tool to assess the Graceful Aging is proposed. The determinants on Graceful Aging are examined. In particular, four aspects (economic safety, healthy lifestyle, residential cares and recreational education) are explored by applying the survey data from Taiwan Longitudinal Study in Aging (TLSA). The major findings are shown as followed: 1. Generally, the elders have good physical and psychological health status. However, they aren’t satisfied with current life and lack of social participation. 2. The elders feel free from the pressure of family, work and economic problem. What is more, they are well taken of by their family physically and emotionally. However, the elders feel disregarded by family when making decision. 3. Demographic variables (including gender, age and education years) significantly influence the status of graceful aging. 4. Considering different demographic backgrounds, four aspects (economic safety, healthy lifestle, residential cares and recreational education) are significant related to the status of gracefull aging. According to the results of the study above, this study brings out some suggestions to institutions and future research.