For decades, aging has been portrayed as a steady decline. New research from Yale University tells a different story. A large, long-term study of older Americans found that many people over 65 are not declining at all. A substantial portion are actually improving.
This challenges one of the most deeply rooted assumptions about growing older and suggests that later life can include meaningful gains, not just losses.
The research was led by Dr. Becca Levy, a professor of social and behavioral sciences at Yale, and published in the journal Geriatrics. It drew on data from the Health and Retirement Study, a federally supported, nationally representative survey.
More than 11,000 participants were followed for up to 12 years. Researchers measured cognitive function using standardized performance tests covering memory and thinking skills. Physical function was measured through walking speed, which is widely considered a key indicator of overall health.
This approach allowed researchers to track changes over time at the individual level, rather than relying on averages that can mask important patterns.
What the Study Found
The results were striking. Over the study period, 45% of adults aged 65 and older improved in either cognitive function, physical function, or both.
About 32% improved cognitively, while 28% improved physically. These gains were often significant enough to be considered clinically meaningful. Cognitive gains included better memory, recall, and overall mental performance. Many participants showed measurable increases on standardized tests.
Physical gains were reflected in faster walking speed, a strong predictor of lower risk for disability, hospitalization, and mortality. Many participants became more physically capable over time.
Dr. Levy emphasized how misleading averages can be. “If you average everyone together, you see decline. But when you look at individual trajectories, you uncover a very different story. A meaningful percentage of the older participants got better.”
Importantly, these improvements were not limited to people recovering from illness. Even those who started at normal levels of function often improved further.
A key factor behind these gains was mindset. Researchers found that people with more positive beliefs about aging were significantly more likely to improve both mentally and physically.
“Individuals who have taken in more positive age beliefs tend to have a lower stress response and lower stress biomarkers,” Dr. Levy said.
This supports the idea that beliefs about aging can directly influence health through psychological, behavioral, and physiological pathways. Positive expectations may reduce stress, encourage healthier behaviors, and even affect how the body functions at a biological level.
As Dr. Levy explained, “We found evidence that there could be psychological pathways, behavioral pathways and physiological pathways by which age beliefs impact health.”
A Broader View of Aging
Other evidence supports the idea that life can improve with age. Older adults often develop stronger practical knowledge and experience, better emotional regulation, and more meaningful social relationships. Many also gain clarity about priorities and reduce unnecessary stress.
Examples like endurance swimmer Diana Nyad highlight this potential. After achieving a historic 110-mile swim at age 64, she later reflected, “That was the prime of my life… and honestly, at 76, I’m even better now than I was then.”
What This Means Going Forward
Experts say these findings should reshape how aging is understood.
“Improvement in later life is not rare, it’s common, and it should be included in our understanding of the aging process,” Dr. Levy said.
The study suggests that aging is not a uniform downward path, but a more complex process that can include stability and improvement. It also points to an important opportunity. Because beliefs about aging can change, there may be ways to actively support better outcomes later in life.
Rather than focusing only on decline, this research makes a strong case for recognizing the potential for growth, resilience, and continued development well into older age.
