Retrospective strategies measuring perceived life changes over time can further the advancement of life span developmental research. Researchers have neglected the individual's perception of his/her life changes over time. This study attempts to determine discriminators of change over time as operationalized by perceptions of change. Subjects (N=321) were adults, 65 years and older living in a rural area who were administered a 141-item questionnaire covering general information, work, retirement, income, health, family, activities, roles, and subjective well-being. Perception of life changes was measured by the way in which older adults perceived their life situation over time. Results showed that perceptions of change in life satisfaction among older adults could be classified as either better or worse according to a combination of physical and social variables. Good health, possession of a confidant, sufficient income, and filial association were factors which distinguished positive and negative aging. Methodological outcomes of this study suggest the utility of retrospective strategies as a cost effective measure and a reliable alternative to longitudinal research for the determination of life changes. (Study data tables are appended.) (ABL)