Cohort comparisons in resources and functioning among centenarians: Findings from the Georgia Centenarian Study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine cohort comparisons in levels of resources (e.g., mental health, physical functioning, economic and social resources, and cognitive functioning) for 211 community-dwelling centenarians (whose Mini-Mental Status Examination score was 23 or higher) of phases I and III of the Georgia Centenarian Study. The earlier cohort was defined as those born between 1881 and 1895 (part of phase I) and the later cohort included persons born between 1901 and 1907 (part of phase III). Five specific domains were compared: mental health; mental status; physical functioning; social resources; and economic resources. Results showed that there were significant cohort comparisons in five domains: mental health; mental status; physical functioning; social networks; and economic resources. Findings suggest that the later centenarian cohort was more satisfied with life, felt less depressed, showed less positive or negative emotion, had higher scores on perceived economic status, and higher levels of physical and cognitive functioning when compared to the earlier cohort. In conclusion, our findings suggest that recent cohorts of centenarians may be better off than previous ones with respect to several areas of individual resources. This study suggests that, even as the number of centenarians increases and some proportion of centenarians experience severe deterioration at the end of their life, there are improvements of functioning, health, and overall life quality among advanced older adults.