Successful Aging Among Older Chinese Living Alone in China: Evidence From a Shanghai Neighborhood

Successful aging among older Chinese living alone is seldom studied albeit China experiences a rapid growth of the elderly living alone recently. This research examined successful aging among the elderly Chinese living alone using the data obtained through a structured survey questionnaire, from a simply random sample of 228 Chinese of 60 years and older living alone in a Shanghai neighborhood. Successful aging was represented by successful aging in health and in participation. Self-rated general health, ADL, IADL, depression and life satisfaction determine successful aging in health. Successful aging in participation was measured by participation in employment, volunteer job, senior centers, senior university and attending groups. The findings revealed that 32.9% of participants had a successful aging in health and 24.6% were aging successfully in participation. Logistic regression analysis in a hierarchical fashion showed that the elderly who were younger and better social support were more likely to have a successful aging in health. Those living alone longer and having religion, better housing condition and better social support were more likely to have a successful aging in participation. Policies and programs to improve elder’s social support and facilitate participation will help the older Chinese living alone aging well.