Gerontology November 5 2012 Productive Aging Work Leisure Retirement Examples of Productive Activities Contributions to families neighborhoods society Changes in the American Economy Economy shaped by information technology global competition Manufacturing Service sector Downsizing layoffs early retirement incentives Eliminates older workers loss of experience skills Takes longer to find new jobs As we get older it takes longer to find a job The Meaning of Retirement Retirement Nonparticipation in the paid labor force Receipt of income from pensions Social Security etc Ages 62 65 increasing to 67 Push and Pull of the Workforce Factors affecting timing of retirement include o Access stability of financial resources o Health and well being o The nature of the job o Gender ethnicity family relationships Changing Financial Security Lack of savings Rising cost of living health care costs 43 of workers who plan to work in retirement say they will do so in order to keep their health insurance Health Retirement Early retirees Good health adequate resources Poor health underemployment job loss Healthier and more active than early generations Nature of the Job Job satisfaction employee morale organizational commitment Quality jobs and rewards of working Retirement as escape from boring repetitive jobs All Connected Gender Ethnicity Family Life Gender retirement Push and pull of family care giving Retirement gender ethnicity Retirement system exacerbates inequalities Quality of Retirement Related to same factors as timing o Voluntary vs involuntary o Good health o Adequate income o Retain sense of autonomy Dissatisfied with retirement dissatisfied with life Adjusting to Retirement Important life transition Retirement is a process no phases Most fare well in retirement o Financial security o Health o Supportive social network Adjusting to Retirement Retirement does not only affect the retiree Social relationships associated with o Decision to retire especially for women o Adjustment to retirement Remaining in the Workforce Likely Baby Boomers will work past retirement age Job availability Multiple employment trajectories Need for retraining The Right Fit Flexible Hours and Older Workers Offer options choice in regards to o Work full time on flexible schedules o Work less than full time Win win for business and workers Reality Mismatch A bridge job refers to as employment following a full time career typically part time or of short duration Barriers to Employment Lack job hunting skills More vulnerable to skill obsolescence Related to geographic location Age based employment discrimination persists Fewer opportunities for job retraining Life Beyond Work Growth in Leisure Leisure Satisfying absence of obligation How do you expect to view leisure in later life Recreation relaxation personal development service to others Related to increased life expectancy Working volunteering care giving providing assistance etc Productive Aging Older adults already productive in many ways Older adults overlooked national resource Vitality of older adults Desire to be more actively involved
View Full Document
Unlocking...