Aging in America: The Link Between Productivity and Resources in the Third Age

Abstract

The United States, like most industrialized nations, has experienced rapid population aging in the last few decades. The social changes associated with population aging resulted in the emergence of a period in later life called the third age, a period which occurs after retirement and prior to the onset of disability. The depiction of third agers as healthy, retired, and resource-rich has led to a growing expectation that they the capacity to remain productive in society through volunteerism. This study examined the extent to which the characteristics associated with the third age shape whether and how much older adults volunteer in the United States. Results from logistic regression models indicate that third age characteristics, including having adequate economic, human, health, and temporal capital, are associated with volunteer behaviors, and that having access to a social network also increases the likeliness of volunteering. These characteristics suggest that possession of and access to these resources is important to having the ability to "choose" to engage in voluntary activities. Furthermore, if the United States seeks to increase participation of older adults in such activities, it is important to facilitate opportunities for elders to obtain access to the resources needed to volunteer and support opportunities for older adults and society to mutually benefit from such engagement.

Perceived Health Status and Daily Activity Participation of Older Malaysians

“…Older persons with good perceived health status participated in relatively more varieties of activity daily than those with poor perceived health status, especially among those with no education or below-average self-esteem. As regards the categories of daily activity participation, the findings of this study are consistent with past studies that show a higher level of participation for older persons with good health status in paid work, 6,12,13 volunteer activity, 6,12,14,15,23 and leisure activities. 16,17 Other than perceived health status, factors affecting participation in social role activities include age, educational level, and employment status.…”

“…The relationship between the health status of older persons and participation in activities has been documented in many studies. Good health enables an older person to engage in more hours of paid work, 6,[11][12][13] volunteer activities, 6,12,14,15 physical exercise, 13,16 and leisure activities. 16,17 The perceived health status of older persons was also found to affect physical activity participation of aged people with asthma in Canada.…”

Intimacy and Ageing: New Relationships in Later Life. TorbjörnBiltgård and PeterÖberg. 2017. London, England: Policy Press. ISBN 978‐1‐4473‐2649‐6.

“…This book combines a variety of theoretical perspectives as it explores intimacy in later life. The three key theories are the life span “ages” (Carr, ; Laslett, ), life course (Elder, Johnson, & Crosnoe, ), and social philosophy (Bauman, 2003). Life span developmental theory is drawn on in terms of understanding adulthood in terms of ages, or eras.…”

“…The third age occurs after retirement and while an individual is still healthy and focuses on personal achievement and fulfillment after retirement. Finally, the fourth age nears the end of life and is an era for the final dependence, decrepitude, and death (Carr, ; Laslett, ). Of these, Intimacy and Ageing focuses on the third age.…”

Career Adaptation Wheel to Address Issues Faced by Older Workers

“…In the past, older adults were viewed as being incapable of making meaningful contributions and were excluded from the idea of being productive in the workplace (Carr, ). In fact, older workers have historically been encouraged to retire to make room for younger workers (Brewington & Nassar‐McMillan, ).…”