The purpose of this study is to examine demographic characteristics, psychological characteristics and patterns of supportive relationships with their children that affect the successful lives of the elderly. A survey was conducted of 410 people aged between 65 and 85, and 405 samples were used for the analysis. First, the supportive relation between the elderly and their children was categorized into four groups depending on the total amount and direction of support. The four groups consisted of the elderly who exchanged little or no support, those who only received support from their children, those who only gave support, and those who both gave and received support. Second, the more the elderly exchanged support and gave emotional support to their children, the better the chance that the elderly would lead a successful life in later years. Third, subjective health conditions most significantly affected the successful lives of the elderly who exchanged little or no support. The level of education was most significant for the elderly who only received support. The level of housing satisfaction mostly affected the elderly who only gave support. Mutual support primarily affected the elderly who both gave and received. Thus, we should provide health programs for the elderly who exchange little or no support to encourage a healthier lifestyle. In addition, opportunities for continuing education should be provided for the elderly who only receive support to make up any deficiency in education. Because spouses are mostly affected for those elderly who exchange little or no support and the elderly who only receive support, we should provide educational programs about how to be better lifetime companions to each other and also provide medical and in-home care for the remaining spouse even after the other partner is gone. Because housing satisfaction greatly affects the elderly who only give support, improvements in the residential environment are essential. Since the level of mutual support is crucial to the elderly who both give and receive support, programs on the development of human resources are needed for the elderly to interact dynamically and intimately with their children.