本文以「最適老化歷程」作為分析的理論基礎，檢視現代台灣高齡者對於老的知覺與態度，及其對於老年生活的具體規劃。並藉由深度訪談與結語式分析的方式蒐集與分析資料，共訪談十位身體無重大失能、對談流暢，且滿意其目前生活之成功老化者。結果發現：台灣高齡者對於「老」的正向態度是影響其最適老化歷程發展的關鍵因素。成功老化的高齡者對於目前生活的態度都是抱持著「心不老，人就不老」的主張。且與一般大眾對於老人的印象相左，這群受訪者認為老年生活仍可以活得「有價值、有尊嚴、有自主、有活力」。

This study examined elderly Taiwanese people’s perceptions andattitudes toward “getting old”, and their concrete plans for later life.In-depth interviews were conducted with 10 successfully aging olderadults who were satisfied with their current lives, not physicallydisabled, and who were able to communicate fluently. Narrativeanalysis of the interviews showed that a positive attitude towardsgetting old is the key to an optimal aging process. In contrast to thestereotype of a frail elderly person, our participants pointed out thatlater life could be valuable, respectable, independent, and vigorous.