Behavioral and Social Sciences
Peter Martin, PhD, FGSA
University Professor
Human Development and Family Studies
Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa, United States
Yasuyuki Gondo, PhD, GSA
Professor
Clinical Thanatology and Geriatric Behavioral Science.
Osaka University
Suita, Osaka, Japan
Oscar Ribeiro, PhD (he/him/his)
Dr.
Education and Psychology
University of Aveiro
Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
Peter Martin, PhD, FGSA
University Professor
Human Development and Family Studies
Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa, United States
Yasuyuki Gondo, PhD, GSA
Professor
Clinical Thanatology and Geriatric Behavioral Science.
Osaka University
Suita, Osaka, Japan
Bobo Hi-po Lau, PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Counselling & Psychology
Hong Kong Shue Yan University
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
The expansion of life expectancy and the lengthening of the human life span are extraordinary achievements observed over the last century. Among those accomplishments is the increasing number of centenarians in many countries. However, it is not clear whether new cohorts of centenarians are in better health when compared to earlier born cohorts of centenarians. The purpose of this symposium is to compare centenarian cohorts across different countries. Two centenarian cohorts each from Hong Kong, Japan, and the United States are included in the analyses. Results provide different perspectives across countries. The Hong Kong Centenarian Studies compared current centenarians to those who participated at an earlier time and noted that proxies in the second study rated centenarians in worse health when compared to centenarian self-ratings. The Kyotango study assessed living conditions, care need level, ADL, IADL, and cognitive function by gender and noted cognitive improvement for men. Finally, later cohorts of the U.S. Health and Retirement Study were in worse health when compared to the earlier born cohort. The results provide an indication for policy makers and practitioners who will prepare for a larger number of centenarians in need of additional support. Although some improvement for later born cohorts is noticeable, it is obvious that more care provision will also be needed as centenarians around the world will survive with more health conditions. Additional research should evaluate centenarians in other parts of the world.
Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Peter Martin, PhD, FGSA – Iowa State University
Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Yasuyuki Gondo, PhD, GSA – Osaka University
Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Bobo Hi-po Lau, PhD – Hong Kong Shue Yan University
Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Gina Lee – Iowa State University