| Abstract: | "Productive aging" describes an array of activities through which older people contribute to society. Both the extent of current productive activities among older people and the barriers to more extensive productive activity are reviewed. If certain adjustment can be made for their special needs, older people have the potential to make substantial contributions. However, a variety of prejudicial attitudes and discriminatory practices continue to limit the opportunity of older people to make productive contributions, particularly in workplace settings. Interventions are needed to strengthen opportunities for training, employment, and volunteering for older people. At the same time, program and policies to facilitate the productive participations of older people cannot easily correct the adverse effect of a lifetime of racial or gender discrimination. |
