Older adults' perceptions of work

Issue title: Work Occupations and Outcomes Internationally and Across the Lifespan

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Bambrick, Patricia | Bonder, Bette

Affiliations: Western Region Cleveland Clinic Health System | Cleveland State University, CSU Department of Health Sciences, 2121 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA. Tel.: +1 216 523 7297; Fax: +1 216 687 9316; E-mail: [email protected]

Note: [] Corresponding author

Abstract: Traditional definitions of work may not reflect the activities of older adults. A broader definition that incorporates non-economic as well as economic measures may better describe their participation in the labor force and the meanings they ascribe to these activities. Because productive activity has been linked to successful aging, it is important to understand how elders perceive work. Twenty-six community-residing older adults were interviewed over a two-year period. Participants were mostly female and represented diverse cultural, religious and educational backgrounds. All these individuals participated in some activities they perceived as work. Three themes emerged as describing their attributions of meaning or importance to productive activities: contribution to self-concept, giving back to community, and staying engaged. Findings suggest that the productive activities of older adults contribute to quality of life for them and have implications for society as well.

Keywords: gerontology, occupation, life satisfaction

Journal: Work, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 77-84, 2005