Productive engagement of older Americans

Centre for Social Development Brown School of Social Work Washington University, St Louis Missouri USA As the US population ages, the capacity of the older population grows as well, with increasing levels of health and education. Older adults are also highly motivated to stay vitally involved in productive activities of working, volunteering, and providing assistance to family members and friends. Too often, older adults face barriers and disincentives to their ongoing participation in productive roles. We argue that the productive engagement of older adults can be maximized by increasing institutional capacity - that is, increasing the abilities of businesses, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and religious organizations to engage older adults. Through changes in policies, programs, and attitudes, we must loosen the connection between chronological age and opportunities for engagement in work and volunteer roles. Only by transforming work, education, and volunteer programs can we take advantage of the experience and human capital of our ageing society.