Answer to Question 1
There is no consensus on what determines successful aging. Furthermore, some theoretical frameworks, such as Rowe and Kahn's model, equate successful aging with health. Does this imply that those older adults with health problems have not aged successfully? The message that only the fit and vigorous are successful may be a negative one. A more positive approach may be to suggest that successful aging is the ability to pull together one's life from a variety of perspectives into a coherent whole and to be satisfied with it. In this way, successful aging is determined from the viewpoint of the individual, not an arbitrary standard. Perhaps being happy with one's life is all that is necessary.
Answer to Question 2
The United States government allocates funds appropriated by the Older Americans Act through the Administration on Aging (AoA). These funds support programs aimed specifically at improving the health of older people. These funds support many different types of programs such as nutrition screening and education, physical fitness, health risk assessments and screenings, and health promotion programs on chronic disabling conditions. One goal of these programs is to increase awareness. It appears many people are unaware of their own chronic illnesses. For example, the AoA estimates that half of those with hypertension are unaware they have a serious illness. Programs sponsored by AoA can reduce the cost of treating illnesses through earlier diagnosis and better prevention education.