Key points from article :
A new study led by Dr Toby Ellmers from Imperial College London and Dr Mathew Hill from Coventry University suggests that having a positive attitude towards ageing can significantly improve physical recovery in older adults after a fall. Published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, the research highlights the importance of mindset in influencing health outcomes later in life.
The study tracked 694 adults in England aged 60 to 90 who hadn’t experienced a fall in the previous two years. Researchers assessed their attitudes towards ageing and later analysed their recovery if they did experience a fall, focusing on measures like walking speed, physical activity, and independence in daily tasks.
Those with the most positive views about ageing—for instance, believing it didn’t stop them from doing what they wanted—were far more likely to recover well. Specifically, they had significantly lower odds of reduced mobility, inactivity, or dependence on others post-fall. In fact, the most optimistic participants had over twice the odds of maintaining independence and activity compared to those with negative outlooks.
The findings suggest that boosting older people’s beliefs about ageing—perhaps through simple conversations or positive messaging—could be a low-cost, effective way to enhance recovery and overall well-being. The researchers now aim to explore practical ways to shift mindsets as a potential tool for public health.
