In a groundbreaking study published in the open-access journal PLOS One on September 24, 2025, researchers Mabel Ho and Esme Fuller-Thomson from the University of Toronto unveil pivotal insights into how older adults can reclaim optimal well-being after periods of poor health. Drawing on data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, their work sheds light on the multifaceted nature of wellness and underlines the powerful influence of modifiable lifestyle factors alongside socio-economic and psychological components in fostering resilience and flourishing in late life.
The investigation centered on a cohort of 8,332 Canadians aged 60 and above who initially reported suboptimal well-being. Over the span of three years, nearly a quarter of these individuals exhibited a remarkable resurgence, regaining a state of optimal well-being. This phenomenon was characterized not simply by the absence of disease but by a holistic sense of thriving across physical, psychological, emotional, and social dimensions, including self-rated wellness. This comprehensive framework of well-being reflects an evolving paradigm that transcends traditional biomedical metrics to encompass subjective and relational aspects influencing quality of life.
One of the study’s pivotal revelations is the profound role of baseline psychological and emotional wellness. Older adults who began the study already exhibiting strength in these domains were nearly five times more likely to recover optimal overall well-being. This finding speaks to the resilience-building power of mental health and emotional stability as foundational pillars in the journey toward restoration, suggesting that therapeutic interventions and community support tailored to psychological wellness should be integral components of aging-related health strategies.
Age itself emerged as a significant factor, with individuals younger than 70 years more apt to reclaim well-being, highlighting a critical window during the aging process for targeted wellness interventions. Marital status and financial stability further influenced outcomes; those who were married and lived above the poverty line had higher odds of regaining wellness. These socio-economic markers underscore the interplay between social connectedness, economic resources, and health, reinforcing calls for societal policies that alleviate poverty and social isolation among older populations.
From a health behavior perspective, the study importantly identified the benefits of an active lifestyle. Engagement in physical activity consistently correlated with renewed optimal well-being, reinforcing decades of public health advocacy around exercise as a cornerstone of healthy aging. Simultaneously, abstaining from smoking, addressing sleep disturbances, and managing chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, arthritis, and osteoporosis emerged as crucial components in regaining wellness. This constellation of factors emphasizes the need for integrated healthcare models that intervene early and comprehensively across lifestyle and chronic disease management.
Ho and Fuller-Thomson’s research also acknowledges a contextual nuance: the Canadian healthcare system’s universal coverage may enhance access to preventative and chronic care services, potentially bolstering the observed rates of well-being restoration. However, the authors caution against overgeneralizing these findings to countries with different healthcare infrastructures or economic challenges, particularly low- and middle-income nations where barriers to healthcare access may dampen such outcomes, underscoring the importance of context in interpreting epidemiological data on aging.
Should future research confirm causality in these observed associations, the implications for public health policy are profound. The study advocates for interventions that simultaneously address physical health, psychosocial well-being, and social determinants to foster a resilient aging population. Programs aimed at encouraging physical activity, smoking cessation, sleep hygiene, and chronic disease management could be complemented by initiatives combating social isolation and providing accessible mental health resources, thereby crafting multifaceted support systems for older adults.
Moreover, the concept of “reclaiming” wellness introduced by Ho and Fuller-Thomson reorients aging narratives toward hope and possibility. It confronts ageist stereotypes that equate advancing years with inevitable decline, promoting instead a vision in which older adults can achieve substantial recovery and enrichment in well-being throughout later life stages. This paradigm shift has potential ripple effects not just in healthcare delivery but also cultural and societal attitudes toward aging.
The research also highlights the importance of self-rated wellness, an often-underappreciated metric that captures individuals’ subjective perception of their overall health and quality of life. By integrating these self-assessments with traditional health indicators, the study presents a more nuanced and person-centered understanding of well-being, reinforcing the value of patient-reported outcomes in gerontological research and practice.
According to lead author Mabel Ho, the study’s findings serve as a poignant reminder that the presence of good health alone does not define fulfillment in later life; rather, relationships, meaning, and joy are equally paramount. This holistic view insists that successful aging encompasses both medical and existential dimensions, which health systems and communities should strive to nurture.
Senior author Esme Fuller-Thomson emphasizes the urgency of investing in prevention, economic security, and inclusive wellness supports, framing these as not only prudent policies but as transformational investments capable of altering the aging trajectory for vulnerable older adults. This integrative approach could reduce healthcare burdens by mitigating decline and promoting recovery, ultimately fostering a society where aging individuals enjoy autonomy and vitality.
As the global population continues to age at unprecedented rates, studies like this offer critical evidence to guide innovations in social and health policy. The convergence of behavioral science, epidemiology, and social welfare illuminated in Ho and Fuller-Thomson’s work provides a roadmap toward sustainable and equitable approaches to aging that honor complexity and human dignity. Their research sets a new standard for how we understand and support well-being, encouraging a holistic, dynamic view of life course health.
In their call for action, the authors invite stakeholders at all levels to embrace a broader definition of health, integrate psychosocial dimensions into care models, and engage in proactive prevention and resilience-building. By doing so, society can help ensure that later life is not merely marked by survival but is vibrant with potential for flourishing and renewed wellness.
Subject of Research: People
Article Title: Reclaiming wellness: Key factors in restoring optimal well-being in the Canadian longitudinal study on aging
News Publication Date: 24-Sep-2025
Web References: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0329800
References: Ho M, Fuller-Thomson E (2025) Reclaiming wellness: Key factors in restoring optimal well-being in the Canadian longitudinal study on aging. PLoS One 20(9): e0329800.
Image Credits: Ho, Fuller-Thomson, 2025, PLOS One, CC-BY 4.0
Keywords: Aging, Well-being, Resilience, Psychological wellness, Physical activity, Chronic disease management, Social determinants, Longitudinal study, Health policy, Older adults, Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging
