Background: By 2030, nearly one-quarter of the U.S. population will be over age 65, emphasizing the need to understand factors that promote healthy aging. Vitality is often reduced to physical indicators in clinical frameworks, overlooking its multidimensional nature. Methods: This qualitative descriptive study explored how independently living older adults define and experience vitality, focusing on physical, emotional, cognitive, and social dimensions. Guided by Self-Determination Theory, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 participants aged 61–83 years purposively recruited from community and faith-based settings in Northeast Florida. Results: Thematic analysis revealed four interconnected themes: (1) Make Adjustments, Keep Going; (2) Being Mentally Jubilant; (3) Bonds that Keep Me Going; and (4) Thriving Amid Uncertainty. Conclusions: Findings suggest that participants perceived vitality as a dynamic, multidimensional process shaped by adaptation, purpose, and connection rather than physical health alone. These insights underscore the need for holistic approaches to vitality assessment and interventions that support autonomy, competence, and relatedness in later life.

This survey study aimed to assess the willingness of culturally diverse older adults to participate in COVID-19 research. The majority of the 276 participants were women (81%, n = 223) and Black/African American (62%, n = 172) or White Hispanic (20%, n = 56). A key finding from the survey was less than 1 of 10 respondents would be likely to participate in COVID-19 related research if given the opportunity. There were no differences observed by gender, race or ethnicity. Implications of these findings are considered. These study findings indicate continued effort and better messaging strategies are required to increase awareness that COVID-19 related research needs to include culturally diverse older adults to ensure vaccines and treatments are efficacious in different populations.

Identifying effective strategies to increase recruitment and retention of culturally diverse adults (African Americans [AA], Caribbean [CN] and Hispanic/Latino [HL]) into aging research is a public health priority. Intergenerational influence (IGI), defined as the “influence of one generation on another in terms of the transfer of skills, attitudes, preferences, values, and behaviors” (Shah & Mittal, 1997), was used to engage AA, CN and HL adults ages 25+ into conversations about aging research. We recruited AA, CN, and HL adults ≥ 65 years and a family member/friend between 25-64 years to participate in virtual listening sessions (LS). A semi-structured guide was used to discuss IGI, attitudes, beliefs, and perspectives of research. All LS were recorded and transcribed verbatim. NVivo software was used for data management and analysis. The constant comparative method was used for analysis. A total of 134 LS was conducted with African American [N=131], Caribbean [N= 112] and Hispanic/Latino [118] adults, representing 93 males and 268 females. We found three major themes highlighting the importance of IGI: 1) transfer of cultural knowledge; 2) benefit of future generations and 3) the lived experiences. The importance of IGI and the inclusion of family members and friends into discussions about healthy aging and research participation was a consistent theme among all culturally diverse groups. Findings suggest that discussing research participation with family and friends can enhance research participation of older adults. Researchers should develop IGI strategies that include family and friends (i.e., younger trusted sources) into recruitment design of aging research.