Productive Engagement in Later Life

Discussions of the aging population have largely focused on the serious challenges of economic security, health care, and long-term care. In large part, this discourse takes the perspective of older adults as a social problem. Largely within the past two decades, the discussion has expanded to include consideration of another view on population aging – the growing human capital represented by the older population. As health, education, and economic security have generally increased with each cohort to date, and as environments become more inclusive of people with disabilities, so has the capacity of many individuals to initiate and continue valuable activities longer into the life course.