Successful Aging

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-vi

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2. Successful Aging: Concepts, Reflections and Its Relevance to Asia

   • Sheung-Tak Cheng, Helene H. Fung, Lydia W. Li, Tianyuan Li, Jean Woo, Iris Chi

   Pages 1-18

3. Social Contexts of Successful Aging

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 19-19

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   2. Demographic and Family Trends in Asia

      • Sheung-Tak Cheng

      Pages 21-32

   3. Challenges to Successful Aging in Transitional China

      • Lydia W. Li, Jiaan Zhang

      Pages 33-50

   4. Successful Aging and Economic Security Among Older Koreans

      • Suk-Young Kang, JeungKun Kim

      Pages 51-64

   5. Demographic and Structural Determinants of Successful Aging in Singapore

      • Angelique Chan, David B. Matchar

      Pages 65-79

   6. Policy and Program Measures for Successful Aging in Japan

      • Vanessa Yong, Yuka Minagawa, Yasuhiko Saito

      Pages 81-97

4. Family and Social Relationships

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 99-99

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   2. Relationships Between Adults and Parents in Asia

      • Kyungmin Kim, Yen-Pi Cheng, Steven H. Zarit, Karen L. Fingerman

      Pages 101-122

   3. The Road to Successful Aging: Older Adults and Their Families in Japan

      • Keiko Katagiri, Tomoko Wakui

      Pages 123-146

   4. Social Networks and the Wellbeing of Older Adults in Singapore

      • Leng Leng Thang

      Pages 147-163

   5. The Intergenerational Support and Psychological Well-Being of the Elderly in Mainland of China

      • Wenjuan Zhang, Peng Du

      Pages 165-178

   6. Life Satisfaction Among Older Adults in Taiwan: The Effects of Marital Relations and Intergenerational Relations

      • Ju-Ping Lin

      Pages 179-198

   7. Grandparenting and Volunteering Among Older Adults in Hong Kong: A Dilemma

      • W. Q. Vivian Lou, Hongmei Tong

      Pages 199-207

5. Optimizing Physical & Mental Health

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 209-209

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   2. Implications of Temporal Trends in Chronic Illness Burden

      • Ruby Yu, Pui Hing Chau, Jean Woo

      Pages 211-229

   3. The Role of Nutrition in Successful Aging

      • Kris Yuet-Wan Lok, Ruth Suk-Mei Chan, Jean Woo

      Pages 231-250

   4. Role of Physical Activity in Successful Ageing

      • Jean Woo, Forest Yau, Ruby Yu

      Pages 251-267

   5. Prevention of Cognitive Decline in Later Life

      • Linda C. W. Lam, Wai C. Chan

      Pages 269-279

This book brings together state-of-the-art research on successful aging in Asian populations and highlights how the factors that contribute to successful aging differ from those in the West. It examines the differences between the Asian and Western contexts in which the aging process unfolds, including cultural values, lifestyles, physical environments and family structures. In addition, it examines the question of how to add quality to longer years of life. Specifically, it looks at ways to promote health, preserve cognition, maximize functioning with social support and maintain emotional well-being despite inevitable declines and losses. Compared to other parts of the world, Asia will age more quickly as a result of the rapid socioeconomic developments leading to rising longevity and historically low fertility rates in some countries. These demographic forces in vast populations such as China are expected to make Asia the main driver of global aging in the coming decades. As a result, researchers, professionals, policymakers, as well as the commercial sector, in both East and West, are increasingly interested in gaining a deeper understanding of aging in Asia.

• Cross-Cultural Differences in Attitudes about Aging
• Determinants of Successful Aging in Singapore
• Family Structures in Asia
• Health and Aging in Asia
• Physical Activity in Successful Aging
• Physical Environments in Asia
• Pursuit of Emotionally Meaningful Goals
• Social Networks in Asia
• Successful Aging in Asian Populations
• Successful Aging in Japan
• Well-Being in Asia

• Dept. of Health and Physical Education, The Hong Kong Institute of Education, Tai Po, Hong Kong SAR

  Sheung-Tak Cheng

• School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA

  Iris Chi

• Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR

  Helene H. Fung

• School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA

  Lydia W. Li

• Dept. of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR

  Jean Woo

Sheung-Tak Cheng is Chair Professor and Head of the Department of Psychological Studies, Hong Kong Institute of Education. He has published over 70 articles in psychology and gerontology, and was asked to write reviews on international aging issues for the United Nations. He serves on the editorial board of Psychology and Aging. He is currently the Principal Investigator of three competitive grants funded by the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong. His most recent research is focused on the stress and burden of dementia caregivers and ways to help them. He has also done extensive work on the intergenerational transfer of social capital, in terms of how the interactions of older and younger people benefit each other and in terms of younger persons’ support to older persons when the latter become dependent. Besides, he is recognized for his work to improve the quality of life of nursing home residents. He is Fellow of the American Psychological Association and the Association for Psychological Science and recipient of the Outstanding International Psychologist Award from the American Psychological Association (Division 52) for his work on international aging.

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