Thestate monitored the experimentclosely. Whenthe
group expandedto a second locationin Portland—this
onehad 142 unitsandcapacityforimpoverishedelderly
peopleongovernmentsupport—thestaterequiredWilson
and her husband to track the health, cognitive
capabilities,physicalfunction,andlifesatisfactionofthe
tenants. In1988, thefindings weremade public.They
revealedthat theresidents had not in facttraded their
health for freedom. Their satisfaction with their lives
increased, and at the same time their health was
maintained. Their physical and cognitive functioning
actually improved. Incidence of major depression fell.
Andthecost for thoseon government supportwas 20
percentlowerthanitwouldhavebeeninanursinghome.
The program proved an unmitigated success.
ATTHECENTERofWilson’sworkwasanattempttosolve
adeceptivelysimplepuzzle:whatmakeslifeworthliving
when we are old and frail and unable to care for
ourselves?In 1943,thepsychologistAbrahamMaslow
published his hugely influential paper “A Theory of
HumanMotivation,”whichfamouslydescribedpeopleas
having a hierarchy of needs. It is oftendepicted as a
pyramid. At the bottom are our basic needs—the
essentialsofphysiologicalsurvival(suchasfood,water,
andair)andofsafety(suchaslaw,order,andstability).
Upone level aretheneedfor loveand forbelonging.
Abovethatisourdesireforgrowth—theopportunityto
attainpersonalgoals,tomasterknowledgeandskills,and
to be recognized and rewarded for our achievements.
Finally,atthetopisthedesireforwhatMaslowtermed
“self-actualization”—self-fulfillment through pursuit of
moral ideals and creativity for their own sake.