Social & Productive Engagement

The productive aging paradigm focuses on the idea that providing opportunities for older adults to put their hearts, minds, and souls into activities that are both recognized by society and personally valued—like work, volunteering, caregiving, informal helping, and education—can have powerful consequences for individuals, families, communities and society. This module will focus on discussing the individual, community, and societal benefits of social and productive engagement of older adults. The speaker will first clarify what is meant by social and productive engagement, summarize research findings on the impact of engagement, and address controversies in the term “productive”. The talk will conclude with suggestions and implications for practitioners to promote further opportunities for productive aging.

Engage as We Age

Featuring Dr. Christina Matz-Costa, Assistant Professor at the Boston College School of Social Work.

Further Resources:

• AARP Experience Corps 
  
• ReServe
  
• Active ageing: A policy framework
  
• Value of unpaid activities by older Americans tops $160 billion per year
  
• Older adults’ engagement should be recognized and encouraged
• Suggested List of Supplementary Reading
• Selected List of References

Additional BC Talks Aging Modules:

• Module I: Social Isolation
• Module III: Long-term Effects of Sexual Abuse on Men
• Module IV: Delirium, Depression and Dementia
• Module V: End of Life Planning
• Module VI: Sleep
  
• Module VII: Manipulating Biological Pathways to Extend Lifespan
• Module VIII: The Happiness of Older Adults