Perspectives on Productive Aging

Social Work with the New Aged

Robert N. Butler

“Productive aging” is defined as the capacity of an older individual or population to continue to work in a paid or voluntary capacity. It expresses the valuable contributions that older people make to the family, to the community, and to national life. For example, the foundation world has calculated that billions of dollars of equivalent contributions have come from older people who do volunteer work. In addition to contributing to society, evidence suggests that productivity encourages health in the same way that health supports productivity. Studies begun in 1955 by the National Institutes of Health have demonstrated that older people who have goals and structure are likely to live longer.

The extent to which an older person can remain productive depends on a variety of personal factors, including physical and emotional well-being, motivation, attitude, education, and experience, and societal factors, including changes in technologies, attitudes, and structures. The interplay between personal issues and societal norms has an important influence on both paid and unpaid productive activities.

Having a sense of purpose, goals, and structure is advantageous to both the individual and society. However, Today, however, many older persons do not recognize the importance of constructive purpose, and society has few stabilized institutions that support genuine social, cultural, and productive roles for older persons. Unfortunately, the important topic of productive aging is lacking in the social work literature.

We have no time to waste. Before the 21st century ends, biological and societal advancement in gene-based and regenerative medicine will further extend longevity. The demographic changes will necessitate new work patterns, including significant roles for older Americans, both in the paid and in the voluntary sectors. As baby boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) age, it is increasingly apparent that they will continue to work. It is difficult to imagine 69 million talented and experienced baby boomers spending 20 to 30 years in retirement, collecting social security, and using Medicare as opposed to contributing to society.

Productive aging is in the best interest of society and the individual. Social workers’ role will be to help older individuals and society prepare for the growing numbers of older persons as the 21st century becomes the century of productive old age.