The characteristics of today's elderly give this population group the greatest amount of leisure time available, both on a daily basis and number of years, of any group of elders in the past. Aging is a stage of life commonly associated with loss and decline. Physiological changes accompanying normal aging and pathological disease processes result in a variety of physical, cognitive, and affective impairments to varying degrees in all elders. Losses from the deaths of loved ones, relatives, or friends also characterize this stage in the life of the elderly. The adaptations that one makes to the various losses experienced in old age are important elements of the aging process.
Positive adaptation leads to successful aging.
Hence, unsuccessful aging is marked by disengagement from previously enjoyed activities, physical and cognitive decline, social isolation, depression, and boredom. The successful aging continuum has been studied extensively. While not stated directly in all of these studies, Activity Theory or a closely-related theory serves as a common understanding of the desirable or ideal aging process. Of the three activity domains studied in a group of arthritis sufferers, only social activity had a significant correlation with well-being, while physical and solitary activity were only minimally correlated. To render some socially useful service 2.