A new study from the University of Toronto brings hope to older adults and their families: even after struggling with health, pain, low mood, or isolation, many people can bounce back and feel great again.
The research followed over 8,300 Canadians aged 60 and older who were not doing well at the start of the study. Within three years, nearly 1 in 4 had regained excellent physical and mental health, felt happy, and were satisfied with life.
Lead researcher Mabel Ho called it “a roadmap” for helping older adults recover and thrive. The study shows that it’s not just luck—there are clear habits and choices that can boost the chances of feeling well again.
People who had strong emotional and mental health from the start were five times more likely to recover. Other helpful habits included staying at a healthy weight, being physically active, not smoking, sleeping well, and staying socially engaged.
The findings challenge the belief that getting older always means getting worse. “Too often, we focus on decline in old age,” said senior author Professor Esme Fuller-Thomson. “But many older adults recover and thrive. We need policies and support systems that help make that happen.”
The study used national data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging between 2011 and 2018 and was published in the journal PLOS One.
Bottom line? Aging doesn’t mean giving up. With the right support, many older adults can reclaim wellness and enjoy life again.
The study is published in PLOS ONE.
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