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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Gold Hill rallies to save IOOF Lodge ... Oregon charter fishing company accused of pocketing money for licenses ... The writing's on the wall ... Gold Hill rallies to save IOOF Lodge ... Oregon charter fishing company accused of pocketing money for licenses ... The writing's on the wall ... HEALTHY AGING Stay connected as you grow older Comment By Sharon Johnson for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Sharon Johnson for the Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 7, 2014 at 12:01 AM By Sharon Johnson for the Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 7, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Social News There’s classic, some call it “revered” research that asks the question, “What is aging well”? The studies were initiated at Harvard University more than seven decades ago by Dr. George Valliant. Dr Valliant and his research team followed 824 men and women from their teen years until into their 80s. The primary finding was not surprising in that “we keep growing” and adapting to altered circumstances throughout our lives. Yes, illness gets in the way but usually does not start emerging until midlife. For the record, the biggest detractors from “aging well” are alcoholism, dementia and severe depression. “All three interfere with relationships and lead to aging poorly. “ But let’s focus on the upside of these research results. The most pivotal finding in this series of studies was this one (make that two); “The pillars of aging well are love and the idea that other people matter.” In a recent article authored by Dr. Valliant himself in “Aging Today,” he stated unequivocally that he had determined “people who age well find a way of coping with life that does not push other people away.” Another way of stating that is:  The whole idea of successful aging is not significantly correlated with income or health. Aging well is linked to having relationships and good social supports. Who knew? Well, you did, of course — but maybe you’ve not thought about it enough. The importance of social supports and social connectedness underscores why you should send out those holiday greeting cards even though you considered just skipping it this year. It‘s why you should more frequently call your dear friend in Florida who recently lost her husband or the new neighbor down the street. It speaks to the extraordinary value of a warm hug and a firm handshake. There is an interesting caveat to all this. As successfully aging older adults, we reach out to those people who make us feel positive and avoid those who do not. By the time we’ve passed that magic marker at age 65, we have loads of life experience and are able to predict what might occur in certain situations; we “have learned how to avoid those encounters that cause negative emotional arousal.” Research finds the “positivity effect” is integral to successful aging.  As older adults, we “attend more to positive information (and less to negative input) than younger adults.” As one researcher put it, “happiness is harder to come by in old age” (those aching knees, that extra weight around your middle, the persistent, wagging tremor in your hand) “but joy remains.” Think about that. My favorite finding in Dr. Valliant’s research is this:  “Hanging out with grandchildren (or small children in general) takes precedence over almost everything.” Having recently spent several laugh-filled days with our 2-year old grandson, I heartily concur. I would submit the ultimate example of social connection may be having a bundle-of-energy toddler fall asleep in your arms after you’ve read him his favorite book. The original studies on the importance of staying connected with friends and family as we age have been enhanced by other studies about the importance of “creating opportunities for gratitude, forgiveness, hope and joy.” Tis the season; phone a friend.  Sharon Johnson is a retired Oregon State University associate professor emeritus. Reach her at [email protected]. By Sharon Johnson for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Sharon Johnson for the Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 7, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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