Selective Compensation Model

Selective optimization with compensation is a model used to improve health and well being in older adults. It is a concept related to successful and positive aging that allows older adults to have more of an active approach in their own aging process and set goals that are achievable and meaningful to them allow (Perry, & Thiels, 2016). According to the selective optimization with compensation model areas are selected by the individual for them to focus on, they optimize performance in that area and compensate for the loss in one area with gains in other (Whitbourne, Whitbourne, & Kenner, 2015). In other words, this model states that at some point in an older adults life they will have to stop putting so much effort in one area and

Selection refers to an individual focusing their attention on their own personal goals, optimization involves engaging in actions to achieve the wanted goal and compensation is the function to partake in actions to readjust the goal to make up for the loss. As when a person ages there are many changes that occur in all aspects of a persons life including biological, physical, social and psychological needs (Whitbourne et al., 2015). The first step of the selective optimization with compensation model is selection. When it comes to selection there can be an elective selection which involves choices from the wanted goal and loss-based selection which focuses on new goals in response to limitations associated with later life challenges (Boker, n.d.). For my personal aging plan, I would apply the selection component to my future by having goals such as having a house, getting married, having children, being happy, and traveling the world. But as I age I could see myself having a more loss-based selection like if I was not able to find anyone I wanted to marry then selecting and choosing to surround myself with

In life many things can happen that are beyond one’s control and a person will have to learn to adapt to the unexpected that occurs in life. When a person’s ages there is a lot more problems that can occur (Boker, n.d.). One of my goals in aging is to stay healthy and be active by going on daily walks, but if I was to break a hip I would not be able to be as mobile. Therefore I would have to find other ways to get outside and be active. I could do things such as water aerobic as it puts less pressure on the body and still allowing me to be active. I also enjoy reading, but as I age it might be harder to read the small font, therefore I might have to adapt and start listening to auto books. Lots of things in life can be beyond one’s control, another example would be if I wanted kids and was not able to conceive on my own I would have to adapt to my life circumstance by adopting or fostering children. If I am older by myself I might have to hire help or adjust my house to my new needs by having things such as a chair in the shower or using a ramp instead of the stairs. Other things I might have to compensate for is if I am having trouble hearing I might have to get hearing aids to be able to hear better. Other examples in life I can think of is if I was to get married then divorced I would have to adapt and either start dating again or surround myself with more