%0 Journal Article %T Perception of Successful Aging: Elderly Views of Individuals from Different Age Groups %J - %D 2018 %X Aim: The rapid increase in the elderly population as a result of prolonged life expectancy at birth increases the desire and effort of people to have a healthy age. The concept of successful aging is defined briefly as "positive competencies in terms of mental and physical aspects". The perception of successful aging depends on many factors such as culture, age, gender and health status. The studies evaluating the successful aging perception of people living in our country are very limited. The aim of this study is to examine the perception of successful aging of the people who applied to Family Medicine District Policlinic of Antalya Training and Research Hospital for any reason. Method: A 37-question questionnaire developed by searching the related literature was applied to 418 people who accepted to participate in the study by face-to-face interview method. To be able to determine the successful aging perception of different age groups the study group was divided into three age groups: young (18-30), middle age (31-50) and older age (51 years and older) and the results were evaluated. Findings: 253 people of the study group (60.5%) were female and 165 people (39.5%) were male; the average age was; 43.3¡À16.4. Answers given to the question "What is required for successful aging?" were evaluated. For the statement of "Health and care services need to be accessible", the ratio of those who give the answer ¡°Completely agree¡± is highest with 93.8%. This was followed by the statements ¡°One must be at peace with himself¡± (91.9%) and "Healthy / balanced diet is required¡± (91.4%). The total rates of respondents who answered as "Agree" and "Completely Agree" was examined according to age groups for each statement. Results for the statement of "You should not be dependent on the bed" were 89.4% in the 18-30 age group, 92.0% in the 31-50 age group, 99.3% in the 51 age and above age group; and for the statement of "You should not be in need of care of others" were 93.0% in the 18-30 age group, 92.6% in the 31-50 age group, and 100.0% in the age group of 51 and above age group. Conclusion: Findings indicate that physical independence is perceived as the most important factor for successful aging. "Access to health and care services" has high importance for successful aging in all age groups. While "healthy / balanced diet" and "being in peace with himself" are considered to be more important in the young and middle age groups, "not being bedridden" and "to have social security for retirement" are more important in the older age group %K Ba£¿ar£¿l£¿ ya£¿lanma %K alg£¿ %K ya£¿l£¿l£¿k %K sa£¿l£¿k %U http://dergipark.org.tr/sted/issue/40222/463581