oa Religion, Health and Well-Being in Later Life

One of the mechanisms by which religion promotes health and well-being is by offering frameworks of meaning. Older adults ‘story’ later life against the background of the grand narratives offered by their worldview and cultural narratives of ageing. The dominance of age-defying narratives and narratives of decline indicates the need for counter narratives of ageing. Moreover, the premature notion that one’s life story has effectively ended is negatively associated with worldview commitment. Empirical research suggests that worldview commitment provides existential support, alleviating death anxiety and enhancing well-being and health. Religions offer meaning in the face of death, thereby influencing end-of-life decisions.