This concept has many definitions but one from The New Zealand Ministry of Social Development may best summarize the idea:
Positive aging reflects the attitudes and experiences older people have about themselves and how younger generations view the process of aging. It takes into account the health, financial security, independence, self-fulfillment, personal safety and living environment of older adults.
This is somewhat different from successful aging, first defined by gerontologist John Rowe, MD in 1997. Positive aging allows us to weather the expected and unexpected changes we experience — essentially looking at aging as a healthy, normal life experience. The concept of Positive Aging emerged as longevity increased over the last century, according to geriatrician Linda Fried, M.D.,dean of the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health and an expert on aging and health. Writing in The Atlantic, she said, “we have created a new stage of life but have not yet envisioned its purpose, meaning, and opportunities.”
Studies by Becca Levy at Yale University and other researchers that show our attitudes — and society’s — on aging affect our health, resilience, and even our survival; elders with more positive attitudes towards aging lived an average of 7.5 years longer than those with negative views.
There are also some concerns about a blanket approach to “positive aging.” This article, which originally appeared on Next Avenue, notes, “Too many positive aging advocates have yet to embrace affordability and access as core principles. Little is written or said about how to help older adults in financial jeopardy and with poor job prospects “live their best possible lives.”