Disability and aging: From successful aging to wellbeing through the capability and human development lens

Abstract

This commentary explores the use of the capability approach and one of its recent applications, the human development model of disability, health and wellbeing, as a lens that can guide aging-related research as well as policy and practice in ways that are inclusive of older persons who have health conditions and impairments. As an alternative to biomedical theories of aging, the capability and human development lens includes human diversity and agency at its core while also reconsidering success to be the practical opportunities that older people value. The practical opportunities that older people value, including older people with disabilities, are what research, policy and practice should aim to expand.