Can't immediately think of a reference as it's a while since I was directly looking at satisfaction but I think you should have a look at the 'quality of life' work for people with long term conditions in framing your reasearch . It's easy to get caught up in service needs and negative aspects and lose sight of strengths and values and the stuff that contributes to resilience and a feeling of wellbeing.

Dear Hansika,

In addition to the variables you mentionned, financial incomes, social network, marital status, personality, hope and vulnerability influence life satisfaction in ageing people.

As for a data based study on ageing perhaps you might find some interesting informations on satisfaction in the Berlin Aging Study (web site below):

http://www.base-berlin.mpg.de/en

I hope this will be helpful for you,

Best regards, Catherine

The World Health Organisation provides a useful framework of determinants for active ageing, including psychological factors, lifelong learning, health, participation, and others. See WHO (2002) Active aging: A policy framework. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organisation. Online. http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/2002/who_nmh_nph_02.8.pdf

Hansika, I agree that quality of life is a better search term for your query. You will be able to find studies which measure quality of life with, or after certain conditions. This will be a start for you to gather more information and assess where it cross references for the older population. Attached is one article discussing quality of life after falls in the elderly. Hope this is helpful. All the best, Dr. Solberg

Hi Hansika,

I would agree with all the comments above. For one to be satisfied with life there have to be well and healthy and this will apply to all ages including our senior citizens.To capture the whole picture one could look at the social determinants of well being and health.I have attached a report on the English indices of deprivation that collates data on income,employment,living environment and crime,housing,health and disability as an example of the data that you can consider when answering your question.There is a spefici new domain on income deprivation as it affects older people.I hope this is useful.I have an interest in social epidemiology related to older adults and will be looking to link up with anyone else with a similar interest.Kind regards

Asan

Hi Hansika Kapoor.

Well, in Brazil and in other developing or middle/low-income countries the assess to basic civil rights is determinant. In fact, this is basic.

"After that", we can observe various determinants in many fields of knowledge: cultural, social, psychological, medical,... and the environment as a major factor compared with genetics.

Wow, your question led me to a "wondering thinking status"...

Sorry because I think I wrote something rather vague!?

I pledge to think more on this inspiring subject!

Eduardo

Hello, another useful concept is of Resilience to stress and adaptation, optimism, or hardiness that are becoming rapidly very popular in positive psychology and studies of aging. Perceived stress is a measure that is predictive of many health and quality of life outcomes, and mortality from various diseases.

Best, Helen Lavretsky

@Sandra: Thanks for the extensive references :) I agree that the sole medical focus is unfair, but didn't know how else to frame it. Quality of Life is a better variable to be predicted now.

@David & Laurence: Similarly, a refocusing to strengths is in order; thanks. QOL is a better keyword to help me with scouring databases for sure.

@Asan: The PDF is extremely useful; thanks. Intuitively income deprivation and financial stability seem to be the most important factors for satisfaction in general, and i think it would be extended to the population at hand as well.

@Helen: You're right, resilience as well as coping tactics would be crucial to outcomes in later life. Thanks!

You could also consider to ask older people themselves what they consider to be succesful ageing and then use one or more of the references the Researcgate colleagues mentioned to develop a theoretical framework for your research.

Eugene Loos

Dear Hansika,

Let me share with you a recent publication by our research group that could answer some aspects of your question:

Rojo-Pérez F, et al. The Personal Wellbeing among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Spain and Associated Factors. Journal of Social Research and Policy, 2012; 3(2): 67-94.

Carmen, thank you so much for the resource :)

I am not up to speed on the literature in this area, but our research on Missouri rural elders and the Swedish H70 study that I worked on might ave something to offer. The Missouri study had a life satisfaction measure that washed out as a predictor of healthy aging/longevity. The H70 and Missouri studies, both 20-year panels, pointed to engagement in social networks as better predictors of healthy aging/longevity than did health status of access to medical care. We found that higher social network status positively affected the immune system (measured by the sedimentation rate, a weak measure but solid finding). The people with longer life spans had more robust social networks and had fewer days in the hospital in the last year of life than people with shorter life spans.

I hope this helps.

I have recently presented a paper on factors associated with life satisfaction among older people Felda Sungai Tengi at an International Symposium of Health Sciences (I-sihat) in Putrajaya, Malaysia. I have examined demographic factors, health conditions, living situations, functional status, nutritional status, psychological factors and cognitive factors. Participants who were older people living in a palm oil plantation called FELDA in Malaysia. Their life satisfaction were related to nutritional status and psychological factors i.e.mood, coping, social support, not socially lonely and religious coping. You can have a look at my oral presentation. The full text will come out in the Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences 2014.

Hi Hansika, I'm not sure that I can add a lot more to the above information. What I am about to contribute is from my personal experience with older persons through my daily work. A sound mind in a sound body is what is most important to them. Chronic health conditions are very common, but if well controlled most of them answer with either "good" or "fair". Another very important factor is their relationship with immediate family members. Social activities are not on top of their list surprisingly. For the religious - it's important that they are involved in religious activities. Contributing to family and society increases their self esteem and makes them feel worthy. It does not matter how small their contribution is. To sum it - health, independence, a clear mind, ability to participate in activities of their choice.

Hi Hansika, I've just completed my thesis on financial well-being of Malaysian elderly. Attitude towards ageing was definitely a significant predictor, but I adapted an instrument used in the medical context. Barker, M., O'Hanlon, A., McGee, H. M., Hickey, A., & Conroy, R. M. (2007). Cross-sectional validation of the Aging Perceptions Questionnaire: a multidimensional instrument for assessing self-perceptions of aging. BMC geriatrics, 7(1), 9.

Since Asian society perceives 'independence' differently from Westerners, it had a negative relationship. it's true though that activity levels and socialengagement is definitely an important predictor. So you may need to look at how you measure 'preconceived notions about ageing, fears regarding old age'.

If there's anyone who would like to do a rigorous instrument development project on attitude towards ageing, I would love to team up!

@St. Peter's Library: Thank you for such an extensive list! I hope to explore both aspects of aging that you mentioned - physical as well as perception-based.

@Richard: It definitely does. Involvement in social rituals as well as robust social and family networks is an interesting variable, thanks.

@Vasundhara: A good blend of data-driven findings, theory, and practical experience always helps. Thanks!

@Mariati: That's an extremely important distinction that you've mentioned. I plan to study an urban Indian geriatric population, and cultural perceptions of the elderly and the process of aging will definitely play a role. Thanks :)

Hansika, Thanks for raising this issue...an d for all those reporting bibliographic resources. This is one of the best discussions I have read on Research Gate.

I'd like to add a small piece. In some cultures there is a clear understanding that there are 3 major life stages: childhood, adulthood and elderhood. Each with its own tasks, rolls and ways of adding to society. IN the 18th century in the United States, for example, people considered old age a blessing and people wanted to appear older eg. white wigs for men, squared off fashion for women that flattered post menopausal body shapes. Elders also had real power - father/grandfather who owned the farm and sons, son-in-law worked under him and craft manufacturing - even of early autos- where a team, usually under the direction of mastercraftsman who was often the oldest, most experienced worker.

This changed with assembly line industrialization and mechanized, chemicalized farming. And the role of elderhood with its meaning and tasks got lost. The old were seen as irrelevant and even burdens......and elderhood got eclipsed by 'aging' or 'old age' - concepts that imply dismantlement and social irrelevance.

In my own interactions with those over age 70, I have found that those who have found meaningful tasks eg. in the first stage of elderhood exploring and developing parts of themselves that their adult roles omitted (for many this is the arts but for others it is study eg. becoming lawyer or legal aide, building web sites etc. Having a social role eg. mentoring, tutoring, driving meals on wheels (In Orange County, NY elders provide nearly all these volunteer services - a real contribution to the economy which is seldom recognized as such). I think that the judicious use of electronic media may allow a resurgence in the perceived value of elders. Eg. An 80 year old who told me he reads bedtimes story to his grandchild via Skype [and the toddler gives a good night kiss on the monitor). a local psychologist who offers counseling via the same medium. I think that if there were a revival of the term/concept Elderhood, it would promote social status for those in this class...in part because it does not come with the connotation of deterioration and uselessness that is embodies in the idea of childhood adulthood and then "aging".

So thank for raising this issue

I can really recommend the following book by Erik and Joanne Erikson: The Life Cycle Completed,- extended version. It outlines "the unique rewards and challenges - for both individuals and society - of very old age".

Hagberg (2012) wrote a chapter on the role of technology for the oldest old, see attachment.

@Kate: Thank you for such a wonderful comment. I agree completely that the definition of "aging, the aged, seniors, old" needs revival and a revisit in today's electronic age. I'd like to share a simple example: Here in India, the retirement age in the public sector is 60, even though longevity is increasing every year. My grandparents (ages 74 and 80) and several like them want to work and learn further, and continue to keep themselves active. Age is literally just a number for them, and they see themselves in the prime of their life (sometimes even more than me!). The very notion of the elderly and what they're capable (or not capable) of doing needs revision, probably every few years, since the scenario is definitely not the same as it was earlier.

@Eugene: Thanks for the resources :)

Being in meaningful connection with 'social other', feeling of being valued by families and other social actors, perceived health, financial independence and positive experiences from children (those who have children) may be the key that apply across cultures............

I would suggest the control of life satisfaction variables, by Diener's questionnaire SWLS (Diener, E., Emmons, R. A., Larsen, R. J., & Griffin, S. The Satisfaction with Life Scale. Journal of Personality Assessment, 1985 49, 71-75). Also, you could look for associations with the levels of mobility, including fast mobility tasks highly associated with the risk of falls, I suggest the timed-get up and go test (Podsiadlo, D. and Richardson, S. The timed "Up & Go": a test of basic functional mobility for frail elderly persons. J Am Geriatr Soc, 1991 39(2): 142-148., and the ability to walk independently long distances, through the 6-min walk test (Rikli R.E., Jones C.J. The reliability and validity of a 6-minute walk test as a measure of physical endurance in older adults. J of Aging and Physical Activity, 1998; 6: 363–375).

I think that analyzing the relationship between self-perceived life satisfaction and mobility levels, may show a more realistic scenario of life satisfaction among the geriatric population.

Nelson, I am curious. Why do you think that mobility should be a measure of life satisfaction? I think of persons such as Stephen Hawkins, astronomer; Christy Brown, (My Left Foot) among celebrities and some local persons affected by polio in the '40s, or born with CP - none of whom are really mobile and yet seem happy and productive. (Now not all those with mobility limits seem satisfied but some seem to be so.)

I know that the loss of mobility takes adjustment but I am not sure that it is a determinate of life satisfaction eg. a number of local athletes who are clearly mobile use drugs or alcohol to numb their 'life pain' and it would seem that if mobility were criterion, that would not be the case????.

Perhaps I misunderstood your comment..... I know that some health care providers use mobility and speed of motion as indicators for life expectancy among the old but I am not sure it would be a indicator of life satisfaction.

Thanks

Kate

Eugene, (Loos)

Thank you for that article. I found it really worth reading....whole new set of things to think about.

Kate

Dear Kate,

It's just a suggestion, given the topics of the question under discussion. My point of view is more scientific. The loss of functionality is directly associated with a decreased biology health, in all organ and systems, which results mainly in the aggregation of risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Moreover, the loss of functionality are reflected, among others, in a significant loss of mobility, and mobility is a fundamental capability of the geriatric population with independent life. I think that this ability is also criterion for the institutionalization of the elderly. In my country (Portugal), institutionalized elderly show less life satisfaction when compared to the independent elderly.

Thus, the idea is to try to understand how far the self-perceived life satisfaction in this population may, or not, be related to the levels of mobility. Obviously that given the examples mentioned, this association does not make sense, however in a scientific context, analyzing a sample of homogeneous participants, it could give important information, but I recognize that your observations are correct.

Thanks for your comment,

Nelson

@Nelson: Mobility is an interesting variable to study in association to satisfaction, and since it's already brought up a healthy discussion, I'd love to assess it empirically as well. Thanks for the input.

Nelson,

I think I misunderstood your original post. I thought you were suggesting using mobility as a criteria for determining life satisfaction eg. if one uses a walker or chair that would mean less life satisfaction [than someone not needing assertive device]. I've worked in 'Disability studies' area, I have found that mobility is not a determinate per se and so questioned its use.

But if I understand your last post you are suggesting that it MIGHT be an issue in less life satisfaction??? If so, I certainly would agree with you since mobility, income, social connections, general health can all effect ones sense of self empowerment and that is related to life satisfaction. All these things are all challenges and when life challenges are not met well, we are often dissatisfied.

If mobility were found to be an issue, I would hope that health care/social service providers would address it.....just as they address it with returning wounded soldiers and those experiencing mobility issues because of sports injuries.

There have been some studies of interventions among the old,[age 80 and older] in Japan, that found designed weight routines not only reversed their 'disuse osteoporosis' but usually resulted in graduating to less need of assistive devices on the part of participants. (People able to leave wheel chairs, walkers etc.)

I do not know about your country but here in the USA, most persons working with the old are not so proactive as are Japanese. (I wish it were otherwise but there is a pervading sense that if you are old, less of most things is to be expected.]

Also here in the USA many fully abled persons assume that restriction of mobility automatically is a cause of life dissatisfaction --- this has been an issue often raised in disability studies arena (It is often labeled as 'abelist thinking' - about as positive a label as 'sexist' or 'racist' thinking. So I may have been coming from a different orientation.

Thanks

Kate

Kate Lindemann:

I don't think you can really know until you've lost mobility personally. Haven spoken to many people whose mobility is limited, although seem content, they would have their mobility back above all else, even though they have adapted to their situation and found happiness in many other things.

Feel free to read a whole doctoral dissertation about life satisfaction in swedish elderly. You will find all answers there:

http://lup.lub.lu.se/luur/download?func=downloadFile&recordOId=4023069&fileOId=4091226

Kind Colleagues, I would like to bring the discussione somewhere else, pointing at satisfaction in geriatric rehabilitation. Here follows the abstract of the alleged paper: "Customer satisfaction is relevant for geriatric rehabilitation, besides objective outcomes. We aimed at measuring customer satisfaction at discharge from our rehabilitative wards, and at singling out its predictive factors. We studied 506 elderly patients, aged 78 ± 8 years. Satisfaction at discharge scored high in all 4-levels graded items of a questionnaire surveying perception of patient improvement, quality of rehabilitative treatment, physicians’ and nurses’ intervention, personal care, lodging quality, goodness of information got. Mean overall rating (scoring 0 to 10) of the rehabilitative stay was 9.2 ± 2.1, median and mode were 10. Rating correlated with: relative functional gain (r = 0.23, p < .000), absolute Barthel Index total score at discharge (r = 0.18, p < .000), net gain in Barthel Index total score at discharge (r = 0.1, p = 0.021), and improvement in CIRS Severity Index (r = 0.9, p = 0.043). Relative functional gain was the only variable predictive of rating that was retained by stepwise multiple regression (p < .000)."

The Open Geriatric Medicine Journal 2009; 2: 1-4

The Survey on Health Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) (www.share-project.org) collects cross-disciplinary and longitudinal data on ageing through personal face-to-face interviews. (HRS in the US and ELSA in England are sister studies to SHARE.) Among the many questions you will find the following: "On a scale from 0 to 10 where 0 means completely dissatisfied and 10 means completely satisfied, how satisfied are you with your life?" If you are a researcher affiliated to a research institution you can access the database at no cost and do your own research based on SHARE data.

Another approach would be to further define evaluative well-being (i.e. overall life satisfaction) and experienced well-being (i.e. moment-to-moment happiness, positive or negative affect). The first can be assess with questions like mentioned by Prof Andersen-Ranberg or through the WHOQoL assessment tool. The second can be assessed through Danny Kahneman's or Arthur Stone's work with the Day Reconstruction Method or the Experienced Sampling Method.

WHO's Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) includes life satisfaction and WHOQoL data for China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia and South Africa (similar to SHARE, HRS and ELSA) - through www.who.int/healthinfo/sage.

A very recent article about WHOQOL AGE from SAGE sister study COURAGE in Europe at: www.hqlo.com/content/11/1/177 (Validation of an instrument to evaluate quality of life in the aging population: WHOQOL-AGE).

It also provides data on happiness using the Day Reconstruction Method for the same six countries. A recent publication here:

www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0061534 (Multi-Country Evaluation of Affective Experience: Validation of an Abbreviated Version of the Day Reconstruction Method in Seven Countries).

The available data also includes measures of mobility, health conditions and many other co-variates that you can use to explore the other issues raised by other colleagues to your question.

Could you please elaborate?

@Aila: When you specify it, it'll be multidisciplinary gerontology. Apologies, I didn't know the difference in terminology. Secondly, the aim is not to catch a still picture of life satisfaction at any point in time, but is to determine the additive factors that enable one to be satisfied later in life. I agree completely that the list of factors influencing satisfaction in any population can never be exhaustive, but an attempt can definitely be made in identifying the "common factors" that apply to most, if not all populations.

@Iwona: The complexity of the phenomenon is what also makes it very interesting. Thanks for your inputs :)

Aging is related to a number of factors that have a detrimental effect on ones quality of life. A few of these are loss of family and friends, loneliness, declining health, and financial problems. There are many evidenced-based studies that demonstrate the various detriments that influence the quality of life for the elderly. If you google, evidenced-based studies that influence healthy aging and happiness, you should get plenty of results. If you are writing a research paper be sure to use scholarly research studies.

It is not just elderhood years that have detriment factors - so too does adulthood eg. job stress,, job loss, long commutes, child raising/difficulties, health etc. However, there is a pervasive belief in the value, of adults in most industrialized society....whereas there is little real cultural valuing elders in many/most industrialized societies.

Published studies show that In those societies where elders are respected, have a 'place in society' the detrimental factors are simply 'part of thing's.... as are detrimental factors for adults.

One of the greatest challenges for elders in most of the industrialized world [there are some cultural exceptions] is the way they are viewed by adults - including many professionals.

THAT is the challenge of elderhood - how to retain a sense of self worth in a society which views one as 'less than' ...in a society which does not offer a valued role Erikson - especially in the last book written by both of them -articulates this in his theory's terms.. It is difficult not to despair in the face of pervasive devaluation, of trivialization etc. by others.

Yes, elders have challenges - but so does every other age group. Cancer is cancer. But in the culture in which I live, cancer is viewed differently when you are 73 from when you are 38. Same with diabetes, arthritis, loss of job/productive social role etc.

It seems to me to be important to examine cultural assumptions. I shall never forget a talk I heard at a Conference in Bogota back in the 80s. A Brazilian psychologist noted that if Latin Americans accepted Maslow's theory as true, it would mean that 95% of his people could not attain the higher stages of human development because the theory was dependent on a specific economic theory.....whereas in his experience many of his clients attained the highest levels of human development just getting food and shelter for their families.

I think there is an analogy when we speak of elders....the way they are viewed in

society is a cultural choice....and in many 'developed' societies they are viewed as 'persons with problems', 'persons without real purpose' etc.

Long post....and yes, I have said these things before but they are worth repeating.

Want to see one example of cultures that value elders? Google 13 Indigenous Grandmothers..... or Elders in Okinawa or....even study the role of elders in most monastic communities, Congregations of RC Sisters etc.

thanks for reading....and maybe considering this alternative view.

Kate - and yes, I am considering setting up a web site on the topic of Elderhood and its 3 stages....in part because I have found real interests in workshops on the topic.

Dear Kate, that was truly insightful. The reframing of elderhood is an important task for any society. I reside and work with populations in India, where the elderly are given much more respect than in most other countries. The trials and tribulations they encounter are not more or less than other age groups, but simply different ones at times. Thanks for your post and interest :)

There are a number of studies out there that look at this area - a few researchers from Australia you may try searching for articles by are Y. Wells, D. De Vaus, H. Kendig and K. O'Loughlin.

Martin,

Maybe I am missing something because although I find many papers from these authors about 'aging' or 'post retirement', I have not found any that discuss Elderhood. The closest appears to be: Van Holsteyn J. Wells, Y, Merkes M. ' Does retirement call for another identity? It depends on the definition'. Paper presented at the 8th National Conference of Emerging Researchers in Ageing, Melbourne, October 2009.

I shall obtain a copy of this but if you know of papers discussing Elderhood, I would be glad for references. ( I have one by Judy Andre and of course my own but would be glad for other papers. I do have a few discussions of 18th century prevalence of the concept in USA from books but...not much by the way of articles) Thanks in advance.

Kate

Hi Kate, contact me on [email protected] and I'll put you in contact with John van Holsteyn.

Greetings to all from an old American geriatrician. I love this robust conversation about a subject that all of us in the aging field struggle with. In American medicine we are immersed in a profoundly agist, youth-oriented, materialistic culture in which aging of our population and the approach of the "Aging tsunami" is both terrifying and the source of enduring denial, especially among physicians, whose livelihoods and status are threatened by this phenomenon --- and Geriatrics remains the least sought discipline for advanced medical training (less than 1% of American medical students elect to undertake fellowship training in Geriatrics). So what are your suggestions as to how to compete for their interest (e.g, employ upbeat euphemisms about "successful aging", "SeniorCare", "Silver Care". etc?.). Please advise, thanks, Bill

Bill,

This may sound crass but I think a great motivator would be two things:

: 1)sensitive communication of demographics....and predictive demographics eg. obstetrics and early childhood are not where the customers will be in 20 years [when your current students are mid-career.) This is something that is being done in high schools in regard to majoring in early education. Our ed dept is nationally known for turning out great teachers BUT the number of students applying has dropped enormously in the last few years. High school teachers/guidance counselors see the 'handwriting on the board'.

2.) Finding ways to have students interact with older persons during their student years. Eg. how many retired or late career physicians are ever on campus, asked to mentor or even tutor. Are any elders ever 'patient models' ( that is probably not the term med schools use. ) but I trust you know what I mean.

If I do not realize that elders are likely to be the bulk of medical clients....if I never meet articulate elders during my education , I am less likely to consider serving their needs as a career choice.

_____________________

In the early days of our college, retired faculty often tutored students in the student help programs. This was quite wonderful. Students not only got experienced tutors but they interacted with persons who really cared about the success of the 'young' AND the work gave tutors a sense of meaning/significance AND students met articulate older adults on a regular basis.

Another possibility would be to invite some practicing physicians...cardiologists, GP, etc and ask them to speak about their patient profile and how it has been changing over the last years.' ???

Now,I do not teach in a medical school so I have no idea if these things will work. But if students have gotten their view of the profession from TV, they have little real idea of the current demographics since few people over 60 appear on ANY TV program.

Although elders are becoming a large portion of the population they are invisible in most popular media so students may not recognize the reality of the demographics for their careers. Just some thoughts.......

Kate

welcome Prof. Hazzard into this blog !

Into the showcase of the Geriatric Institute "Camillo Golgi" [my workplace] there is affixed since 2004 the J Am Geriatr Soc your editorial "I'm a geriatrician", posted by prof. Guaita [my former head: you can follow him onto ResearchGate]

with gratitude, Mauro Colombo

Yes, 'preconceived notions about aging, fears regarding old age, coping mechanisms' -- very important variables, which are observed & experienced. But including these items in the 'Perception Questionnaire' would make the observation & experience evidence-based.

Determinants of life satisfaction I believe needs to be looked at in a dynamic way. There are many factors already mentioned that can bring satisfaction. However, this is a road that must be individualized. One factor, say interaction with others, may bring happiness to some people but not so much to others who prefer more solitude. the process a person has used during their lives to determine what works for them to have a satisfying life and how much that process is carried out at an older age is important.

Dr. Martin Seligman's work at the Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania might be helpful. He is the founder of positive psychology which focuses on the empirical study of positive emotions and strengths-based character.

Thank you for the inputs Madelaine :)

Feel your pain Bill. Simple answer is pay geriatricians more than cardiologists. In our consumer society we usually pay more for things that are rarer don't we.

In Victoria, we support the Geriatric Medicine Training Program which provides clinical support for trainees often in rural areas were access to specialists can be problematic. We are seeing a steady growth in Geriatricians and interest from medical trainees as well. Website also provides useful information for any clinicians as well. See: http://www.anzsgm.org/vgmtp/

dear All, at least in Italy, the answer seem more complicate [also to understand, even by a geriatrician, as I am]: the places in specialization school are very scarce, so there is no room even for those - not so many, indeed - who would like to embrace this route. Don't ask me why these political cjoices have been taken, Mauro C.

mobility, health, happiness, appetite, sleep well without wake up, energy level.

Sense of of security in all needs

I agree with Ratna Prakash

Various researchers above have answered this question but there are a lot of instruments and tools to measure geriatric satisfaction, for example, OARS (Older Americans Resources and Services), Multi-dimensional Functional Assessment Questionnaire (MFAQ), the Philadelphia Geriatric Centre Multi-level Assessment (PGCMAI), the Quality of Life Profile – Seniors Version (QOLPSV), the Quality in Later Life assessment (QuiLL) and the Self-evaluation of Life (SELF). More are covered in the following paper.

https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007%2F978-0-387-78665-0_154

Evans, S. (2010). Quality of lifemeasures in the elderly and later life. V. Preedy & R.

I have not yet published my findings but in my research on retirees in business, both their business and financial well-being was very much influenced by their attitude towards ageing. In summary, if they feel that they either maintained or improved on certain aspects in life (hence positive attitude towards ageing) they will actually live well or better, at least in terms of business and finance. Good luck with your work!