Ageing, Health and Life Satisfaction of the Oldest Old: An Analysis for Germany

Publikations-Art

Zeitschriftenbeitrag (peer-reviewed)

Autoren

Sousa-Poza, A/Gwozdz, W

Erscheinungsjahr

2010

Veröffentlicht in

Social Indicators Research

Band/Volume

97/3

DOI

10.1007/s11205-009-9508-8

Seite (von - bis)

397-417

This analysis uses data from the German Socio-Economic Panel and the Survey on Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe to assess the effect of ageing and health on the life satisfaction of the oldest old (defined as 75 and older). We observe a U-shaped relationship between age and levels of life satisfaction for individuals aged between 16 and 65. Thereafter, life satisfaction declines rapidly and the lowest absolute levels of life satisfaction are recorded for the oldest old. This decline is primarily attributable to low levels of perceived health. Once cohort effects are also controlled for, life satisfaction remains relatively constant across the lifespan.