We have learned a great deal from the BLSA and a growing body of
aging research. But there is much more to explore. In 2009,
while continuing other areas of research, the BLSA will begin to
examine the genetic, environmental, social, and behavioral
factors that preserve health and function for a rare fraction of
the oldest old adults. The BLSA has developed the Insight into
the Determinants of Exceptional Aging and Longevity (IDEAL)
study, which will focus on people 80 years and older who are
living free of physical and cognitive disease. Taking advantage
of research strategies already standard for the BLSA, the aim of
the new study is to identify factors that distinguish
extraordinary health at very advanced age from non-"ideal"
aging. Further, IDEAL aims to discover the physiological,
environmental, and behavioral risk factors that result in the
loss of exceptional aging status over time. Although research
exists on the relationship between long life and functional
decline, we still know relatively little a