Origins and Development of the Concepts
To understand the difference between active and successful aging, it is important to trace their origins. The concept of successful aging, primarily developed in the United States, was popularized by gerontologists John Wallis Rowe and Robert Kahn in the late 1980s and 1990s. The initial goal was to contrast aging well with typical aging, which often focused on decline and disease. The Rowe and Kahn model outlined three main components for achieving successful aging: avoiding disease and disability, maintaining high cognitive and physical function, and engaging actively with life.
In the early 2000s, the World Health Organization (WHO) introduced the framework for active aging, partly as a response to the critiques of the successful aging model's individualistic and potentially exclusionary nature. Active aging was designed to be a broader, more inclusive framework, emphasizing a life-course perspective and the importance of supportive environments and social policy, in addition to individual factors. The concept was developed in the context of global policy rather than individual clinical outcomes.
A Broader Framework vs. an Individualistic Ideal
One of the most significant distinguishing factors lies in the scope and philosophical underpinning of each concept. Successful aging, in its original form, presents an individualistic and somewhat prescriptive model for achieving an "ideal" state of aging. Critics argue that by setting such a high bar—requiring the absence of disease and high function—the model risks classifying many older adults with chronic conditions or disabilities as "unsuccessful". Research has shown that a very small percentage of the older adult population meets all of Rowe and Kahn's criteria, suggesting the model may be unrealistic for many.
In contrast, active aging is a much more holistic, inclusive, and systemic concept. The WHO defined active aging as "the process of optimizing opportunities for health, participation and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age". This definition expands the focus beyond individual health and behavior to include social, economic, cultural, and spiritual factors. It shifts the responsibility from solely the individual to society at large, acknowledging that policy and environmental support are crucial for older adults to remain active and engaged.
The Role of Health and Participation
Both concepts value health, but they interpret and apply it differently. For successful aging, health is framed largely in terms of avoiding disease and maintaining a high level of physical and cognitive function. While later adaptations of the model have included more subjective elements, the core emphasis remains on objective biomedical markers of wellness. Participation, in this context, often centers on productive activities and engagement with others.
Active aging takes a broader view of health, emphasizing the physical, mental, and social dimensions that contribute to overall well-being. It recognizes that older adults can maintain a high quality of life even with chronic conditions or disabilities through adaptive coping and supportive services. The concept of "participation" is also more expansive, including continued engagement in a wide array of social, cultural, civic, and economic affairs, not just paid work or high-level physical activity. This perspective normalizes the diversity of aging experiences, providing a more compassionate framework for older individuals.
Comparison Table
| Aspect | Active Aging (WHO Model) | Successful Aging (Rowe & Kahn Model) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Optimizing opportunities for health, participation, and security throughout the life course. | Achieving a state of optimal function by avoiding disease, maintaining physical and cognitive abilities, and engaging with life. |
| Underpinning | A holistic, public policy-oriented framework that emphasizes societal responsibility. | An individualistic model focused on lifestyle choices and personal effort. |
| Definition of Health | Broadly defined to include physical, mental, and social well-being, acknowledging that wellness is possible even with chronic conditions. | Originally defined as the absence of disease and disability, with a strong emphasis on biomedical outcomes. |
| Measure of Success | Subjective well-being, quality of life, autonomy, and independence. Inclusive of diverse aging experiences. | Objective measures of physical and cognitive function. Critiqued as exclusionary for those with impairments. |
| Societal Role | Advocates for supportive policies and environments that promote engagement and well-being for all older adults. | Places primary responsibility on the individual, potentially overlooking the role of social and economic inequality. |
| Cultural Sensitivity | Designed with cultural and gender contexts in mind, allowing for varying interpretations globally. | Predominantly developed in Western culture, leading to critiques of its universal applicability. |
Limitations and Critiques
Both active and successful aging models have faced scrutiny. The original Rowe and Kahn model of successful aging was criticized for its exclusionary criteria, which implicitly label many individuals with age-related conditions as failures. This can promote ageism and ignore the reality of cumulative advantage and disadvantage throughout a lifespan, where socioeconomic factors influence a person's later-life health.
While more inclusive, the active aging model also has challenges. Its broad nature can make empirical measurement difficult, as the indicators of success are often more subjective and varied. Additionally, implementing its policy-focused directives requires significant societal investment and inter-sectoral collaboration, which can be challenging to achieve. For instance, a recent study operationalizing the WHO model found that the relationship between policy pillars and longevity was complex, suggesting the need for more targeted research.
A Path Forward
Modern gerontology often synthesizes elements from both frameworks to create a more comprehensive view of aging. Concepts like "aging well" or "aging with resilience" acknowledge that adaptation and coping with challenges are central to a fulfilling later life. This more compassionate approach recognizes that what constitutes a positive aging experience varies significantly among individuals and cultures. By integrating the societal focus of active aging with the emphasis on individual agency found in successful aging, a more complete picture emerges. Ultimately, the goal is not to achieve a static ideal but to enable individuals to lead meaningful, purposeful, and dignified lives, regardless of their health status or socioeconomic background.
Conclusion
The core difference between active aging and successful aging lies in their fundamental approach. Successful aging, epitomized by the Rowe and Kahn model, focuses on the individual's ability to achieve an optimal, disease-free state, emphasizing personal responsibility and high performance. Active aging, a broader WHO framework, emphasizes the societal responsibility to create supportive environments that optimize opportunities for health, participation, and security for all older adults, regardless of their health challenges. While both aim to improve later-life quality, active aging offers a more inclusive and compassionate perspective that accounts for the diversity and realities of the human aging experience. Understanding this distinction is crucial for developing effective policies and personal strategies for a fulfilling later life.
References
- World Health Organization (WHO). Active Ageing: A Policy Framework. WHO, 2002. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/67215
- Rowe, J. W., & Kahn, R. L. (1997). Successful aging. The Gerontologist, 37(4), 433–440.
- Martinson, M., & Berridge, C. (2015). Critical perspectives on successful aging: Does it “appeal more to the young than the old”? The Gerontologist, 55(1), 1–10.
- From Successful Ageing to Ageing Well: A Narrative Review. (2024, August 14). Oxford Academic. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
- Active Ageing: An Empirical Approach to the WHO Model. (2012, November 18). PMC. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
[Internal Link to Relevant Article]: The benefits of staying socially and mentally active in retirement.
