Using Concept Mapping Methods to Define "Healthy Aging" in Anchorage, Alaska.

This exploratory research project captured a multidimensional model of healthy aging in Anchorage, Alaska, by utilizing the Concept Mapping (CM) methodology with a sample of 53 older adults (aged 55+), aging advocates, public health professionals, and senior service providers. Multidimensional scaling and cluster analyses were conducted to map the relationship between 100 aspects of healthy aging, resulting in 12 distinct concepts of healthy aging. Study participants identified both lifestyle factors and aspects of their environment, providing results that can inform future research and policy development. The perspectives of older adults are scarce in the literature, but how they conceptualize the factors that contribute to healthy aging can have profound influence on behaviors and health outcomes. In addition, CM is a little-used methodology in gerontology that fosters community capacity building, meaningful contributions, and trusting research partnerships. We also provide recommendations for using these methods with older adults.