Qualitative aspects of productive ageing

Objectives. This paper reports on the proceedings of six focus groups, in both metropolitan and regional areas in South Australia, that were conducted to explore qualitative dimensions of productive ageing. Method. A total of 33 individuals aged between 55 and 84 years participated in loosely structured discussions of issues around the contributions they made towards their immediate families, their local communities, and society at large. Results. As well as providing rich and passionately told stories of productive involvement, the groups shed light on the ability of older people to identify and fulfil unmet needs, their eagerness to remain involved in life, and the complexity and individual nature of each person's involvement in productive activities. Conclusions. To simply list an inventory of productive activities trivialises the nature and depth of involvement. There is a need for further study into the relationship of older adults to their larger social network, by means of which older adults remain able to contribute in useful and meaningful ways.