Older Adults Happiness Recovery: 1 in 4 Find Renewed Joy
- Almost one in four adults aged 60 and older who initially reported poor well-being were able to achieve optimal well-being within a three-year period, according to research published...
- The research underscores the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle,including maintaining a stable body weight,avoiding smoking,staying physically active,improving sleep,and preventing or managing chronic illnesses.
- The researchers analyzed data from a nationally representative longitudinal study, following a cohort of older Canadian adults over a three-year period.
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Resilience in Aging: Nearly One in Four Older Adults Can Regain Optimal Well-being
Table of Contents
Published October 11, 2025, at 16:29:56 EDT
Key Findings: Recovery is Possible
Almost one in four adults aged 60 and older who initially reported poor well-being were able to achieve optimal well-being within a three-year period, according to research published on September 24, 2025, in PLOS One. The study, conducted by Mabel Ho and Esme Fuller-Thomson of the University of Toronto, Canada, highlights the potential for positive change even later in life.
The research underscores the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle,including maintaining a stable body weight,avoiding smoking,staying physically active,improving sleep,and preventing or managing chronic illnesses. Crucially, the study also points to the notable role of psychological, emotional, and social wellness in overall quality of life.
The Study: Methodology and Participants
The researchers analyzed data from a nationally representative longitudinal study, following a cohort of older Canadian adults over a three-year period. Participants were assessed on multiple dimensions of well-being, including emotional health, physical health, social engagement, and financial security. The study focused on individuals who initially reported low levels of well-being and tracked their progress over time.
Key predictors of regaining optimal well-being included strong emotional health, regular physical activity, and sufficient sleep. Financial stability and social support networks also played a significant role.
Why This Matters: Implications for Policy and Practice
“These findings offer a message of hope and underscore the importance of focusing on the things that truly matter to people, meaning, and joy we have in our lives,” says Mabel Ho, a recent doctoral graduate at the University of Toronto’s Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work (FIFSW) and the Institute of life Course and Aging.
“This is a clear call to invest in prevention, financial stability, and accessible wellness supports – because these aren’t just smart policies, they can potentially improve the trajectory of aging for older adults who are struggling,” says Esme Fuller-Thomson, Director of the Institute for Life Course & Aging and Professor at the University of Toronto’s Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work.