TOWARDS UNDERSTANDING SUCCESSFUL AGING - PATTERNED CHANGE IN RESOURCES AND GOALS

In this paper it is argued that the problem of formulating a comprehen sive theory of successful ageing - and thereby of finding good criteri a for success - may be attributed to the lack of a suitable multidisci plinary framework that meets at least three basic theoretical requirem ents. These requirements are explicated, and some existing theories an d approaches of successful ageing are discussed in the light of these requirements. An alternative theoretical framework is presented which can accommodate a number of existing insights, and which is used as th e basis of a new theory of successful ageing, including theory-guided criteria for success.