Psychological well-being is a subjective point of view defined as person’s
cognitive and affective evaluation of life. The dimensions of well-being include a balance between positive 
and negative affect. Affect is a psychological term for emotions. Negative affect involves such emotions as anger, fear and
depression. On the other hand positive emotions include such things as joy and happiness. How much time in any given day we
spend feeling depressed needs to be balanced with time feeling happy. If more of our day is filled with positive emotions
than with negative we have a sense of subjective well-being. Well-being is also dependent on how well we meet our fundamental
human needs. That includes basic needs like food, shelter and safety. There can be no sense of positive well-being if we feel
hungry or fear for our safety. However, given that those needs are met higher level needs like autonomy and self-esteem become
important to our sense of well-being. It also seems very important to our sense of well-being that we have a purpose. For
the oldest among us it is just as important to have goals even though it may be necessary to limit those goals as we age.
Careers are behind and there is increasing limitation on the pursuit of wealth. However, those with a sense of positive well-being
continue to set goals and pursue those goals. Activities also seem very important as dimensions of psychological well-being.
There may be some constriction in the options available; however, activities within the framework of current skills can make
a great difference. For example, one patient of mine in a nursing home and only the use of his upper body. However, to help
of his family he arranged an entire world all within the reach of his own arms. Finally, optimism and hope are essential elements
for a positive sense of well-being.