Successful aging and longevity in older old women: the role of depression and cognition

Based in successful aging theory and terminal cognitive drop research,this paper investigates cerebrovascular burden (cvb),depressive symptoms,and cognitive decline as threats to longevity. a subsample of stroke-free women over the age of 80 was identified in the health and retirement survey (years 2000-2008). mortality at 2,6,and 8 year intervals was predicted using cvb (diabetes,heart disease,hypertension),depressive symptoms (center for epidemiological studies depression scale),and cognitive decline (decline of 1 standard deviation or more on the 35-point telephone interview for cognitive status over 2 years). at most waves (2002,2004,and 2006) mortality was predicted by cvb,depressive symptoms,and cognitive drop measured 2 years prior. cvb and depressive symptoms at the 2000 wave predicted mortality at 6 and 8 years. older women with the greatest longevity had low cvb,robust cognitive functioning,and few depression symptoms,supporting successful aging theory and terminal cognitive drop. © 2011 daniel paulson et al.