“Old age withdraws us from active pursuits but allows advisory functions. Ageing is not a disease per se” Cicero, 44BC.
This paper will explore the concept of “successful ageing” in Japan compared to Australia, briefly emphasizing my understanding of ageing regarding current developmental theory and proposing that ageing is a relativistic and social construct. The definition of ageing successfully is elusive and highly subjective. Who or how should we measure it? Broadly speaking it alludes to the factors that support a healthier and more fulfilling old age (Bowling & Dieppe, 2005). It is important to note that criteria such as ‘success’ or ‘failure’ to define ageing, as defined by the impact of script or linguistics, has gradually influenced and changed the way over time that humans think and view the world. Free association and holistic thought processes have been supplemented by compartmentalization and bureaucracy, utilizing statistics and logarithmic equations to support government and cultural specific self-interests (Harari, 2014).