Gonzales Ernest, Matz-Costa Christina, Morrow-Howell Nancy
School of Social Work, Boston University, Massachusetts.
Graduate School of Social Work, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.
Gerontologist. 2015 Apr;55(2):252-61. doi: 10.1093/geront/gnu176. Epub 2015 Feb 15.
"Productive aging" puts forward the fundamental view that the capacity of older adults must be better developed and utilized in activities that make economic contributions to society-working, caregiving, volunteering. It is suggested that productive engagement can lead to multiple positive ends: offsetting fiscal strains of a larger older population, contributing to the betterment of families and civil society, and maintaining the health and economic security of older adults. Advocates claim that outdated social structures and discriminatory behaviors limit participation of older adults in these important social roles as well as prevent the optimization of outcomes for older adults, families, and society. We ask two important questions: (a) How can we shape policies and programs to optimally engage the growing resources of an aging population for the sake of society and older adults themselves? and (b) How can policies pertaining to productive engagement reduce health and economic disparities? We answer these questions by first describing the current state of engagement in each of the three productive activities and summarize some current policies and programs that affect engagement. Next we highlight challenges that cross-cut productive engagement. Finally, we provide policy recommendations to address these challenges.
“积极老龄化”提出了这样一个基本观点，即老年人的能力必须在对社会做出经济贡献的活动中——工作、照料、志愿服务——得到更好的发展和利用。有人认为，积极参与能够带来多重积极成果：抵消老年人口增多带来的财政压力，促进家庭和公民社会的改善，并维持老年人的健康和经济安全。倡导者声称，过时的社会结构和歧视性行为限制了老年人参与这些重要社会角色，也阻碍了老年人、家庭和社会实现结果的最优化。我们提出两个重要问题：（a）为了社会和老年人自身，我们如何制定政策和项目，以最佳方式调动老年人口不断增长的资源？（b）与积极参与相关的政策如何减少健康和经济方面的差距？我们通过首先描述这三项生产性活动中每项活动的当前参与状况，并总结一些影响参与的现行政策和项目来回答这些问题。接下来，我们突出贯穿积极参与的挑战。最后，我们提供应对这些挑战的政策建议。
