Do positive seniors age better?

Older people who may be using assisted living or home care, may age better if they approach situations positively, researchers have said.

According to a study published in journal Biological Psychiatry, a biased tendency towards and preference for positive, emotionally gratifying experiences known as the "positivity effect" can help individuals age successfully.

Older individuals with a strong signal in the brain when they were distracted by a happy face were more likely to have a better emotional stability.

Author Dr Stefanie Brassen said: "Integrating our findings with the assumptions of life span theories we suggest that motivational goal-shifting in healthy aging leads to a self-regulated engagement in positive emotions even when this is not required by the setting."

In other news, Emer O'Neill, chief executive of the Depression Alliance, maintains that a healthy diet and lifestyle are "essential" when dealing with depression.

Read about support and personalised care at Barchester care homes for anyone with mental health concerns.