Two groups of older adults, retired teachers and low income housing elderly, exhibiting a diverse response to measures of life satisfaction and readiness for self-directed learning, were examined through twelve case studies in order to describe, generally and personally, the constructs of meaning for being old and the dynamics involved in defining and demonstrating successful aging and adaptation to the later years.

The studies' findings included: (a) Health and functional status was a core construct that interacted significantly with satisfaction, engagement, coping, identity, and successful aging. (b) Ego integrity was found to be a process that included both developmental and transpersonal dimensions and to be dependent on ongoing coping and adaptation to late life change and loss. As such, it was concluded that successful aging rather than successful living was being described and demonstrated by the study sample. (c) Continuity of personal identity determined much of the subject's self concept and life style until a change in health and functional status forced an acknowledgement and integration of an age identity. (d) Four factors were found to define and demonstrate successful aging in the sample.